Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Meidenbauer.
Hi Steven, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a flower shop owned by my father just outside of Buffalo, NY. Always gravitating toward arts and music, I joined school bands, choirs, and art classes. When my aunt gifted me my first 35mm point and shoot, my world opened up. I took my first photography class in high school and after processing my own film, I fell in love with the process even more.
After working weddings and events with a local studio after high school, I took off to New York City to study Photography at The Fashion Institute of Technology. There I partied, made friends, met creatives, and worked my ass off. I assisted an incredible photographer, Roger Cabello, who truly opened my eyes to what it means to be an artist—which is to do whatever the f*ck you want! This attitude gave me the confidence to broaden my range as a creative and start making videos and producing music.
6+ years later, I met my boyfriend who was down to leave New York (temporarily) and head to Los Angeles. We packed up a rental car with my cat and headed out west. Immediately we fell in love with the city and the sun. I slowly got my footing and began working alongside photographer Anna Azarov who brought me onto her team. As I made the commitment to learn more about videography and music, more opportunities arrived.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was a bumpy road and it came with a lot of overtime at jobs that just weren’t it. Ever since I started working at 14, I knew I needed to find a way to be my own boss and work for myself someday.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and videographer specializing in fashion and environmental photography—known for vibrant colors and a nostalgic cure with all my visuals.
I recently created a colorful fashion film with writer and director Numa Perrier, titled ‘We Do’. We were so pleased to see it featured on Vogue and Nowness, and it was a breath of fresh air to create in the middle of 2020.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Stay present, stay in your lane, and mind your business! There’s room for all of us, and if you keep pushing and learning you can only get better. Value your work and trust your gut when it comes to working with and for others.
Contact Info:
- Email: stevenmeidenbauer@gmail.com
- Website: www.stevenmeidenbauer.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stevenjamesmeidenbauer
Image Credits
Portrait by Anna Azarov Photography All work by me including published items below “We Do” – Numa Perrier “NICK” – Fecundmag.com “In The Mood For Karaoke” – PAP Magazine
