We were lucky to catch up with Timothy Lewis Jr. recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Timothy , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose took a lot of trials and tribulations. When I first started my business as a photographer I had a vision of wanting to promote other business and showcase them in a light that others might not see. I wanted to tell stories through my photos, but with COVID and having to go through so much it was hard to do that, and I soon ended up losing my spark. I had started gaining insecurities about my work and myself, thinking I wasn’t good enough. But in reality I just needed more experience and drive. So as I continued adulting and experiencing new things in my life, I opened my mind up more to the art world, and started to see a change in terms of my viewing of photography and how an individual can perceive it differently than others. Everyone has their own style and look and instead of trying to find my own I was trying to copy next person because I saw them doing so good in it. But overtime I decided to stop trying to be someone else and really be me. With that, I started creatively directing my own photoshoots and tell stories through my eyes and give people a chance to see what I see. Letting them be part of my imagination. And because of that I started to gain a loyal following and support system, my clientele grew and it’s all because I stuck to what I knew and what was right for me. And when I found out my purpose, it was to make others feel good while also being able to let my visions and imagination run wild. Even though right now I feel as though that’s my purpose and I do believe overtime that’ll change and once I become more established in my career I’ll find my real purpose behind what I do and why I do it.
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?
Hey you guys, I’m Timothy but you can call me TJ. I’m from Jersey City, and I currently work as a showroom assistant for Pooky Lighting as well as a photographer and creative director for my brand SnapsByTJ. I started my brand a little over 4 years ago, and when I tell you it has be a long but beautiful journey, with a lot of ups and downs and learning curves. I originally started my business with the target of promoting other brands and people (which I still do) but as time gone on I started to really get into storytelling through photos. So I made it a mission to be able to express myself all the way creatively while also still being able to showcase others and make them feel good about themselves while working with me.
Growing up in Jersey City I was opened to a lot of things at a young age. Being in such a diverse city I became a sponge to art, emotions, culture, and just regular knowledge and just trying to become more aware and intentional with my actions and the way I connect with others. I then went to college at Montclair State University for Television and Digital Media where I evolved in my craft, started my business and gained a newfound confidence. And with SnapsByTJ I was able to use the things I learned and been exposed to, to build and mold myself to be the artist I want to be. And even on my Instagram page, you can see a change with my work as you scroll, revealing my evolution and how I found my niche and took hold of it. And to this day I get excited about posting new content and to have others see and enjoy it, makes me feel good and reminds me why I do what I do.
And when I got serious about my business people started to appreciate my work and my vision, and I think everyone is seeing how I’m trying to be out the box and do new things or create concepts that others probably haven’t done yet. And I’m just so proud of myself for getting out of my shell from where I wouldn’t even bring up my work to now having business cards and talking to people about it everyday. It really has been amazing and I just can’t wait to see what else is in store for SnapsByTJ.
As of right now, I am currently in the process of curating big production shoots. Recently, I did my own SnapsByTJ University project where I casted 6 people to be showcased and give them a spotlight opportunity to represent their brands or any endeavors they could be pursuing. I have more projects on the way that I’m super hyped about, so definitely be on the lookout for that.
And I haven’t made it public yet but I’ll give a little tease and say to also be on the lookout for potential events in the future…
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Networking is probably the number one thing that has helped me with my journey. I wouldn’t have done NYFW, or worked with other businesses if it wasn’t for me putting myself out there and talking to others. And knowing the right people can really get you far in life. But you have to take advantage of every connection you make, while also being smart and genuine with every decision you make.
Kindness is another quality that has got me through with my business. A lot of clients or collabs I have worked with tell me they appreciate me being so nice or professional or understanding. And that leaves a long lasting impression on others. It makes them want to come back for more and you’ll end up with a loyal contact or client. Always treat others how you want to be treated and everything will work out for itself.
Last but not least, honesty. Not just with others but with yourself. It’s always important to be real with others, especially when you have a business because every move you make can either better you or ruin you. But when you’re honest with yourself and how you run your business, you start to get a clear idea on how you want things to be managed and the expectations you have for yourself and your brand. It helps with decision making and even with who you want to work with or don’t want to work with. Being honest with yourself is the first step to success in my book, and it’ll overtime bring in the right people and opportunities.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I’ll say my confidence with myself and my work has been my biggest area of growth. As mentioned before at one point I wouldn’t even bring up my business due to me not feeling all the way there with it. But once I stopped caring about what others think and started going after what I want, it made business management and decision making easier. Even when I’m taking pictures I see a difference with my directing and how I can capture a moment without having worries of it looking good or not, and just learning to stay in the moment and feeling every movement and pose that happens in front of the lens. I feel as though my self portraits helped me with that, having to see myself in front of the camera letting go of any tension or stress and having fun with just me and my camera made me see things differently. I can honestly say that this year was the year where I became cocky about my work and I don’t feel anyway about it. I’ll proudly represent myself everyday, and not care if people are sick of me. Because one day the right person is going to see that and it’ll be the day where my life turns around for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFUAgNWJR4/rtb6pFwEiaxKrMUqkcxsyw/edit?utm_content=DAFUAgNWJR4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snapsbytj/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-lewis-jr-381a77231/
Image Credits
Pictures were taken by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
