Hey guys!
Every now and then, I have the pleasure of working with someone that gets my wheels spinning. It’s this sudden feeling of wonderment. I want to know their whole story. The road that got them to where there are today. The inspiration behind the work they do. How they find the motivation to stick with it day in day out… The whole nine.
First off, thank you Chelsea for asking me to be a part of your blog. I truly appreciate it.
I am a native Houstonian and currently live in SW Houston. Spent 4 formative years in Austin where I graduated from college. My background is in advertising/marketing.
I bought my first “legitimate” camera in October (Team Nikon). Prior to that I simply used my phone. Photography is not my background so there has definitely been a learning curve and obsessiveness with researching. I’m still very much an amateur compared to some of the great talent out there.
Really what I enjoy about the process is editing because of how therapeutic it is and the infinite ways you can compose.
I attribute a huge part of where I’m at to some of the really talented people I have been exposed to throughout my life. The thing about creativity is it can be expressed in so many different ways beyond a picture — there’s music, cooking, fashion. All of these are things that I observe from a distance, respect, and emulate in some way.
My first step was starting — I compare any new hobby to running. The first 1/2 mile is generally the most painful but once you find your tempo and stay at it you’ll find it gets easier and you get better.
Absolutely. Greg Noire is a local Houston photographer on a different level right now. I respect his vision and talent.
Nationally, Aaron Brimhall — he’s a moto-lifestyle photographer my friend Mike introduced me to. I actually got to meet him and he is one of the most amazingly talented yet down-to-earth, humble dudes in the game; all attributes I respect.
It is early, but my vision for what I do is steadfast improvement. I will continue to travel and document wherever I go. I simply want to be known as putting out great work, which I know will take time and continued practice. At some point I’d like for my work to be on a national publication — something like Kinfolk or Cereal mag.
7. Last, but not least, if a kid walked up to you asking for your advice and you only had a few minutes to give them your best tip, what would it be?
Don’t focus on what’s not available to you. A key aspect to creativity is using what you have around you to make things happen.
Mostly — just start.
1. Coffee Shop — Blacksmith because they serve Greenway and have powdered soap (Houston can be hipster too). The Wifi is fast.
2. Restaurant — It used to be FuFu Cafe but we all know what happened there. I’d have to say Brasil (patio area). You can people-watch and get good food.
3. Cocktail: Moving Sidewalk: The whiskey sour is legit and I take everyone I know there
4. Tout Suite — if you take anyone from out of town there they leave with a great impression of Houston and the macarons are delicious. They also serve boba so major plus.
5. Activity — shooting pictures or riding motorcycles with my friend Mike Le. We always bounce ideas off of each other so it’s a good place to get feedback for plans.
Twitter/Instagram @thecoffeybreak