Meet Walter Reap

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

Hi Walter , 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?

I found my purpose through trying different things. I tried to go the clothes route because I always liked getting dressed and thrifting but I realized after a while that I wasn’t doing it because I genuinely wanted to and it wasn’t what I felt that strongly about. I’ve always been into photography even while trying the clothing route but once I stopped and fully locked in on being behind the camera I realized that was what I loved to do, I loved the process of connecting with different models and being able to capture my vision. by me doing my own research on different cameras different photographers getting myself photo books and really studying my camera and finding my style I realized this was my purpose. to be able to connect with different people through photography and being able to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to creatively and finding myself having fun doing it. I wanna be a reason why another person wants to pick up a camera and push themselves creatively, that gives me a great sense of purpose as well as knowing there’s people out there that appreciates me and uses my work as a sense of inspiration.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a film photographer from MD who specializes in fashion portrait editorial style photography, documentary, lifestyle and cinematography, I also do BTS videos from brands from time to time. I do a lot of testing with signed models from different agencies throughout New York. I also do photo/video work with A$ap Ant and Marino Infantry as well as shooting look books for people who have clothing brands. the most exciting part about working with agencies is being able to connect and work with new faces each time. being able to talk with new directors and work with their models in person is always fun because I love creating with new people. usually I was the run and gun type but by working with agencies it gave me a bit more structure and allows me to throughly put mood boards together to bring my vision to life. working with these agencies allows my work to be seen by brands and different companies by my work being in the models book/portfolio. I’m also able to update my book/portfolio with the work that I’m trying to do in the near future which is tailored to an editorial type of look. I also love shooting look books with my friends who have their own brands and being able to collaborate with them on bringing a vision to life

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 feel like the 3 qualities that are key for me is having confidence, staying consistent and being open to learning. having these 3 qualities will be very beneficial to people early in their journey and far along in their journey because no matter what point your at you always have to be confident and stand on your work because if your not confident in your work you give no one else a reason to be confident in your work. always remember that this is your journey there is no right or wrong way or specific laid out blueprint for us we have to be confident about ourselves and our work. staying consistent is also important because that’s gonna keep you productive. consistency is really important because that’s the only way your gonna get better and be able to figure out and perfect a certain style that you may have within your craft. and the one I feel is most important is being open to learning, this is important because there’s times where certain people may get comfortable and reach a certain level and feel like there nothing else for them to learn, there’s always something that you might not know or be as sharp at that someone could teach or show you that will only better you in the long run. there’s nothing wrong with really studying your craft, watching videos and picking the brains of people who may already be where you wanna be.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Im always open to working with anyone who has a brand, any models that would like to shoot as well as artist out there who make music and would need a cover shot. I’m also always looking for stylist to work with and even any photographers that would like to collaborate on a project. the best way to reach out via dm on instagram @reap.jpg and also by email, [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://we.tl/b-EeJUluUnWy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reap.jpg/