Today we’d like to introduce you to Lavonte Cranford.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve kinda always been into photography, since I was a kid I used to watch National Geographic channel for hours, just fascinated with the views of the world that I couldn’t experience in my own back yard. I also loved reading and just flipping through those half broken Annie Leibovitz books in my school library. My family and I would always visit the High Museum of Art in Atlanta growing up as well. I also would check out photo and painting exhibits. I really loved all the different types of art and it was just so interesting to me how different people would capture completely different moments in history from their own prospective of reality. I was always the family picture taker at home as well. My mom always put me to work. She knew how much I loved art, being that I participated in theatre, chorus, painting sculpting, playing multiple sports (mainly football) and really anything that could keep me active. Once I got to college football I got a really bad elbow injury and that’s when it actually hit me that I had to open up my creative gift of capturing the moment. So I just hit the streets and started taking pictures of random plants and people! Once I understood the camera functions more I started to attend local sports in high school while living in Memphis after moving back home with the parents after a few tough times! This is when I started gaining clients and taking it serious like a real business. I haven’t looked back since just continuing to put my work out there without fear and keeping it authentic. It’s actually been a really good way for me to release and relax my spirit. I really feel like it is a big reason I was able to overcome so much adversity throughout out my life!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve broken and lost so many camera and lenses. My first ever photography class was at a college in Little Rock, Arkansas and I had to use my phone to capture pictures simply bc I was a young and eager kid but I couldn’t afford a camera at the time. Also, I moved to LA with no family or support and went through a bit of homelessness before realizing how to overcome the downfall. There were days I didn’t have a dime! But I persevered. I want to thank the Jesus Christ for pulling me through so many things when I thought I had nothing left!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in candid street photography! My roots are Zambian from the southern part of Africa so I think I’m really known for the respect and communication throughout the community! I’ve also always felt that I was bringing new waves to the creative/art world! I’m proud of myself for never giving up on any of my dreams or things I really want to do! I am still always learning and going up but I just go for it and I go as confident as I can. Not many people can jump and move from so many cities and states to another (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Arkansas, Mobile, Alabama, Memphis) on impulse and make a living around complete strangers that eventually became family! I think what sets me apart is my ability to walk in any room and fit right in! I feel that I have very good people skills bc of my love for us that I just got in and then make a big impact!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support me through my instagram where they can also find my email. Also my website.
@crantegudphoto
https://crantegudfoto.mypixieset.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://crantegudfoto.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crantegudphoto/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Image Credits
Cranté Gud, Lavonté Cranford
