Meet Lex Hockey

We were lucky to catch up with Lex Hockey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lex, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
Overcoming creative blocks has always been a struggle for me. In the past, if a creative block came up I would just stop creating and give up till my creativity resurfaced again.

However, over this past year, I have not wanted to accept that fate.

What I have found is that there are a few different things that will help me break through my blocks.

Those being:
1. Stepping away from the project and taking a break.
2. Spending some time in nature or just outside in general.
3. Talking through the project I’m stuck on with friends/other creatives.
4. Listening to music.
5. Working on another project, task, or hobby.

Now these might not work for everyone, but they do work for me. I think as creatives we sometimes get locked into the idea that we need to be creative and artsy all the time, but that’s not how it works. We need to at times walk away from what we are working on and refresh our minds. Creative blocks are just our mind’s way of saying we need a break.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Lex Hockey; otherwise known as Poisonous Culture. I am a music photographer based out of Los Angeles, California.

I have been in the photography industry on and off for the last 14+ years. I started my journey in live music in the underground PA hardcore scene when I was a teenager. Since then I have explored many areas of the photo world such as apparel, lifestyle, fine art, unit photography, and so much more.

Over the last year, I decided to return to my roots and re-enter the music scene. I have worked with artists such as Silverstein, LA Priest, Hadee, St. Kio, and The Baby Goats. I am also part of the photographer rotation over at the Lodge Room in Highland Park.

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?
The biggest one off the bat is patience. In the photo world, you should never expect to blow up overnight. Just because you have an amazing shoot, take an amazing photo, or work with a big client doesn’t mean you are going to be instantly successful. At the end of the day it’s about the long game and putting in the time/dedication into the craft.

The second would be the willingness to learn and grow. Just like any other career or hobby we have to keep learning and studying to improve. I have seen so many photographers over the years let their egos get the best of them. And in that, they get into this mindset where they are the best, they are at the top of their game, and there is no more going up from here. Don’t get me wrong I have those “I’m the best” moments as well. All creatives do. But where the problem lies is when you stop trying to improve and stay stagnate. The photo industry is always changing and as creatives, we need to adapt to those changes. It’s okay to hype yourself and love your work, but we have to remember there is always room for growth.

Last, but not least… stop dogging yourself for not being as good as someone else. We are all in different parts of our creative journeys. It’s not mentally healthy to look at others’ work and hate your own for not being as good as the other artists. And in saying that you should not be dogging other creatives for not being as good as you. I have found over the years that it is not worth the headache of constantly competing and comparing with others. We should be building a photo community of love and support where we want ourselves and others to improve/excel in the craft. Not hating ourselves and others for where we are currently in our creative journey.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth over the last 12 months has been self-love and the belief that I can live the life I want to live. For a long time, I let others dictate who I should be. And in that, I gave up some of my biggest dreams and goals to fit into that mold. But since working through that and focusing going towards what I want for myself I have been the happiest I have ever been in my life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Bell Witch at Lodge Room Cosmic Kitten at The Wayfarer Dog Smoke at Lodge Room Hadee at The Viper Room Jerry’s Middle Finger at Lodge Room LA Priest at The Echo St. Kio at The Wayfarer The Baby Goats at Bar Sinister

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