Meet Lexi Thompson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lexi Thompson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lexi, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive through observing the art that is always around us. Whether it be other photographers on social media, murals in a city, or just getting ideas from watching how people function day to day. Since much of my work is capturing the natural environment, I take the time to observe space around me and see the little things that make a person or scenario unique. Highlighting those elements is what I find joy in, so it is easy for me to continue when it is something that I am passionate about. Everyone around us has a background, and finding ways to depict that in a single image is a challenge i enjoy.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a photographer based out of Baltimore, Maryland. I mainly focus on sports and capturing moments that tell stories across different outlets. I work with Major League organizations documenting both in-game highlights as well as the trials and tribulations that goes on behind the scenes. While photographing sports is my specialty, I take these same methods into my portrait photography. Finding what it is that makes a familial relationship unique, and fostering an environment in which the subjects are comfortable letting me document them.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think my three qualities that make me excel in this position is my observational skills, empathy, and determination. The photography market is saturated because of the advancement i technology making it more accessible to everyone. Being determined to succeed and stand out has gotten me to this point in my career. Taking the extra step in training/education, or following up with updates on my growth has led me to opportunities i would not have gotten if I had stopped trying after the first time. Observing other people around me, both people in my position as a photographer, or the subjects that I am photographing, allows me to learn from them. Watching someone who does someone differently from you makes you see that you can try something new. Being able to empathize with peoples’ emotions make it possible to highlight elements of human relation. Even if you are totally different from the person on the other end of the camera, there are things that make them relatable to people, and that is what humans respond to most.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents have supported me 100% in my journey of being a photographer. They bought me my first camera when I was 8 and paid for all of my photos to be developed so I could see what I captured. I started college wanting to become a physical therapist in order to make a more steady income and wanted to do photography on the side as I did not want my college degree that hey were paying for to not be a good investment longterm. After my first week of school, I told them i did not want to study that, and actually wanted to try studying photography. The encouraged me to do so and reassured me that I would succeed in the photography industry. They allow me to have a studio in their house and are always sending me facebook reel videos about photography, haha! I would not have an ounce of my success if they did not support me or told me to pick a “practical job”, so I am very thankful for their support.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

LT Photography

The image of me with the mud on me is by Alec Gaut

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