Meet Sawyer Smith Roque

We were lucky to catch up with Sawyer Smith Roque recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sawyer, 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?

Creativity ebbs and flows. I always have a personal project simmering in the background of my paid work that I can turn to when I lack inspiration. Once I gain momentum on those projects, I find that my creative spark returns.

Writing regularly is another way I stay connected to my creativity. It helps me clarify ideas and nudges me to find inspiration in daily life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a freelance filmmaker and photographer, specializing in documentary work. My commissions vary, depending on the needs of a client. Sometimes I shoot newspaper photo assignments; other times I direct videos for brands. What’s most exciting to me is the opportunity to document people, places, and stories that I never would have had access to otherwise.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three qualities that have been impactful in my journey are resilience, organization, and flexibility.
Developing resilience and flexibility requires understanding that growth is not linear. Everyone experiences setbacks in their work, but the ability to persist despite those and make changes when needed is essential to a lasting career.
It’s equally important to prioritize organization, especially for those who are not naturally inclined to it. Whether it’s accounting, following up on emails, or tracking networking opportunities, organization can either make or break a freelancer’s success.

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

First and foremost, my ideal client aligns with my values. My favorite projects to work on educate about or uplift women’s health stories. When a client in the women’s health space approaches me for a project, I know that we have the same goals in mind. My ideal client and I would also share an aesthetic vision and be aligned on what we want the final product to look like.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sawyerroque.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawyer_roque/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawyerroque/

Image Credits

Breanna Denney, Emmanuel Roque Perez, Sam Vladimirsky