Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Lewis.
Hi Stephen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been enamored with photography and filmmaking since childhood. My dad gave me a 35mm point-and-shoot camera when I was 5 years old and it set me on the path I’m still traveling today. I was obsessed with movies growing up and wanted to be a filmmaker and I would attribute much of my ambition to pursue a career in imaging to the work of Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, Sergio Leone and Alfred Hitchcock. The transition from pursuing filmmaking to still photography happened almost by accident… a friend needed help shooting food for her new restaurant and this first paid gig spurred me on to pursue more jobs in the still life/food/product/lifestyle genres.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth! Starting any business is difficult but establishing yourself as a creative professional is particularly challenging. It’s been a gratifying journey overall but there has been a lot of personal growth, hard work and many moments of frustration along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a commercial and advertising photographer/filmmaker. I shoot primarily product, food and lifestyle. I love the challenge of bringing a brand identity to life through the language of color and light. One of my favorite things about commercial photography is the variety of people I collaborate with, from creative directors and marketing managers to small business owners launching their first products. It’s can be stressful dealing with clients who are under a lot of stress themselves but there is nothing like wrapping up a project and then seeing the work out in the wild! I am proud of the relationships I build with my clients and the quality of work I produce. Photography is a craft and I enjoy the satisfaction of delivering excellent results for every project.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
COVID has taught me the importance of being patient and sticking to your passion. When work is slow, I take the time to grow my skills, collaborate with other creatives and refine my business strategies. There is always room for improvement!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.slpictures.com
- Instagram: @stephenlewisphoto
