We recently connected with Scharad Lightbourne and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Scharad, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I believe that my strong work ethic comes from a combination of two things. Firstly, when I was growing up, my father had strict rules and expectations about how things should be done in our household. My sister and I were taught to always do things properly and thoroughly, without cutting corners. If we didn’t meet those standards, we would face the consequences. Secondly, leaving my home country to study in the US also played a role in shaping my work ethic.
At my art college, the creative process was just as important as the final product. Instructors and lecturers were more interested in how we arrived at our designs or products, rather than just the end result, which influenced my approach to work.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist, so I studied the creative field and shared my ideas and thoughts with the company I worked for. However, I found the corporate world to be stifling and lacking in vision, which affected my growth as an artist. Fortunately, I discovered photography, which helped me keep my passion alive.
I took the leap and quit my job to start my own photography business. Although it was scary and exciting, I knew it would take me places that no corporate job could. As a commercial and portrait photographer, I help individuals and brands tell their unique stories through my creative vision. Clients trust me to convey a specific message or idea, from conceptualization to execution. I specialize in capturing stunning portraits, whether in a lifestyle setting or within a studio environment. I love working in spaces that complement my artistic vision.
One of the most exciting aspects of my job is getting to meet different people and travelling for work. I consider myself fortunate to travel extensively, both locally and internationally. I find inspiration in the places I visit, which helps me in my work.
My portfolio includes many interesting names and faces. I’ve been thinking about putting together a book that showcases my work with these individuals.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
YouTube – to this day, I still watch YouTube to learn about new tips and techniques in photography Practise – I cant stress how essential passion projects are. They help to exercise your creativity.
Investment – I’ve invested in gear, camera and lighting and learned what makes my job run more efficiently.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Living in an island nation with a population of less than 300,000 presents a lot of challenges for me as a photographer. The market is extremely competitive with a lot of skilled photographers. My challenge is to stay ahead of the curve and always try to stand out from the rest. However, this is difficult because there are so many options available these days. I price my work at a premium rate to reflect its quality, but sometimes it can be hard to educate people about why it’s worth the extra cost.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scharadlphoto.com
- Instagram: scharadlphoto
- Facebook: scharadlphoto
- Linkedin: scharadlphoto
- Youtube: scharadlphoto
