We were lucky to catch up with Stephen Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephen, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from a few sources:
1. Personal experiences: Going through challenging situations and overcoming adversity can build resilience. These experiences can help individuals develop coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills.
2. Support systems: Having a strong support network, such as family, friends, or mentors, can provide emotional support, guidance, and encouragement during difficult times.
3. Positive relationships: Building and maintaining positive relationships can contribute to resilience. Having people who believe in and support you can help foster a sense of belonging and provide a source of strength.
4. Self-care and well-being: Taking care of one’s physical, mental, and emotional health is crucial for resilience. Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness, and self-reflection, can enhance resilience.
5. Optimism and positive mindset: Cultivating a positive outlook and mindset can contribute to resilience. Believing in one’s ability to overcome challenges and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems can help build resilience.
It’s important to note that resilience is a complex and individual process, and different people may draw strength from different sources
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a commercial and advertising photographer/filmmaker. I shoot primarily product, food and lifestyle. I love the challenge of bringing a brand identity to life through the language of color and light. One of my favorite things about commercial photography is the variety of people I collaborate with, from creative directors and marketing managers to small business owners launching their first products. It’s can be stressful dealing with clients who are under a lot of stress themselves but there is nothing like wrapping up a project and then seeing the work out in the wild! I am proud of the relationships I build with my clients and the quality of work I produce. Photography is a craft and I enjoy the satisfaction of delivering excellent results for every project.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the 3 qualities that were most impactful were: ambition, curiosity and professionalism. My specialties as a photographer are product, food and lifestyle. I love the craft of photography and filmmaking more than anything. Client’s come to me with a new product or service and I get to tell their brand story through light, color, styling and art direction. What sets me apart from others is my fun and laid-back personality coupled with a drive for excellence and client satisfaction… I take my job seriously but in my experience, the more we enjoy our work the better the results will be. I got to where I am professionally through hard work and a bit of luck! I spent years developing my skills both artistically and professionally. It was definitely not easy! We all hit roadblocks and setbacks and I am no exception. It took a long time to market myself through work of mouth, Google SEO, portfolio reviews, collaborations with other creatives and sending spec work out to agencies and dream clients. I still experience slow periods when I have little to no work so I use that time to explore new creative possibilities and sharpen my skills. I am still a work in progress as is my business and that’s an exciting thing!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I am definitely grateful for my parents. They have been so supportive and patient with me through my career. I’m so grateful for this privilege because I know many don’t have the luxury of family support when going into a tumultuous and volatile career like the arts. Their encouragement and advice during the building of my photography business kept me going when times were tough. If you decide to become a photographer what you’re really saying is “I want to be an entrepreneur and a business owner.” My parents have owned their own business for 35 years so having them as a resource for business advice was a boon!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slpictures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenlewisphoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lewis-938798161/
Image Credits
Stephen Lewis
