Meet Kwami Lee

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kwami Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kwami, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Well first and foremost, I think a lot of people overthink purpose. I read a book a few years back about it, and it said something to the effect of reaching out to 5 people you trust. Ask them to tell you what they feel like you are naturally good at/what your calling is and you’re all set.

I’ve always been around art. It kept me out of trouble and when trouble found me, it gave me another avenue to get my life in order. I never had luck with jobs and even though I did the whole college thing, corporate didn’t pan out, so it was undeniable for me. Once the opportunity presented itself with photography and just creativity as a profession, I ran with it.

Though art is the vessel, for me it’s ultimately about uplifting and inspiring people though. It takes a lot of heart to make it where I’m from and build something up. That love and respect for anyone trynna push positivity into the world really pushes me to do the same, cause I’ve seen and been a part of a lot of the wrong shit this world has to offer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Kwami Lee, an NYC based editorial and lifestyle photographer. I moonlight as a fine artist with a gallery show + monograph every few years too. I mean my job is cool, I get top work with brands like Zara, Hennessy, Footlocker, Top Golf and such to do cool campaigns and projects. Being able to see how an ad is made from ideation to execution is dope. It helps put into perspective how much money is really out here. Aside from that though I do creative business consulting, collect old school benzes with the homies and do little boutique drops under my creative company , No Template.

I think business is mad important in this new age of AI and tech that we live in. So one thing I really advocate for is learning AI tools and just adapting with the times. Having multiple streams of income is paramount in this new economy.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I say the top three qualities that helped on my journey so far were adaptability, perception (being able to read the room and also learn indirectly), and grit (yes, it is a skill). To be a freelancer is to play with fire; that being said, you’ll deal with a lot of BS between every victory. Because of this, people can be pretty weird and gatekeepy (not a word, I know), so being able to be a fly on the wall has been the difference between me knowing the business and being like any other guy with a camera out here. Grit, is pretty straight forward but to paint a picture , the highs and lows of this shit feel like a drug addiction. You get tapped for that big photo op or campaign and you feel on top of the world. When that phone line is collecting dust for over two months, you’re ready to jump out the closest window. Balance is everything. Take your time to figure out what you want and have checkins with yourself to adjust regularly.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is a client that knows what they want or willing to go through that process with me. Advertising can be so stressful and when it comes to meeting demands and trying to get results, it all boils down to seeing what sticks. Almost all of my clients have been a dream to work with; the few less savory gigs were really just clients that didn’t understand the business ( rates, deliverables, usage) or people trying to exploit me.

I think the first few exchanges + discovery calls are like dating almost. You get to know each other and try to anticipate where you client is trying to get by partnering with you. It’s my job to help them execute that idea with my skillset, so the quicker we are able to get on one accord, the better.

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