Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Lefevre.
Zachary, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I attended my first Coachella in 2011 and that’s where my passion for chasing live music began. A few years and a plethora of concerts later I crossed online paths with Grant Gilmore, editor-and-chief at EDM Identity, via the Reddit Coachella Facebook group. The community discusses many different music festivals and I posted some thoughts about Life is Beautiful in a thread. Grant must’ve seen I was active in the group and reached out to me asking if I was interested in contributing to his publication. This is where my journey really began.
Working for EDM Identity was the major turning point because I was introduced to a whole new side of an industry I had already fallen in love with. I had a voice. I could share my love for festivals and support music I believed in on a platform that showed me the same love and support. Over my first two years, I had over 100 published articles ranging from artist interviews and opinion editorials to press releases and event reviews. After covering my first festival there was no doubt I knew I could do this (and wanted to do this) forever.
But, I wanted to do more. I wanted all the content in the article to be mine. The words, the photos, everything. This thought is what sparked my photography business. I bought a DSLR off a friend, got a nifty 50, watched some YouTube videos, and shot my first music festival (SnowGlobe for New Years 2016 in South Lake Tahoe). Doing photo at a festival was the next level for me. It seemed like such an organic progression there was no turning back. Being in the pit capturing raw moments of fans and the artists. Being able to tell my story through my lens with my words. On the plane ride back from SnowGlobe to San Diego, 1/1/2017, I created Flipside Photo. The earliest legit beginnings of my photo journey.
I love to write and I will always write, but once I started Flipside I was on a mission to build myself in the live music photography world. I started shooting as many concerts as I could from big festivals to small local shows. Through EDM Identity and the local San Diego music scene I was able to get the opportunities to fine-tune my craft and passion while forging a deeper connection and love for live music. The more I practiced, the better my albums turned out, the more motivated I became.
I wanted more. I saw the recap videos for Lightning in a Bottle and Coachella and fell in love with the aerial views drones provide. I studied to take my Part 107 exam, became FAA licensed to fly drones, and am now on a mission to become a festival drone pilot. With this new skill and a better idea of what I wanted to build I rebranded Flipside Photo to Six Degrees Creative in early 2019. I knew I wanted to offer more than just photo services so I grew. I wanted to have a build brand based on connection and my passions. I want to connect with people through music, art, creativity, and experiences. Six Degrees Creative is a true representation of my journey as an artist. My vision for it is grand. It has been a challenge and gift to build and I cannot wait to keep it going! Shout out to Grant Gilmore and EDM Identity for setting off the chain.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been a number of challenges at every step of the way. I think the biggest challenge is overcoming self-doubt. There were (still are) a lot of days where I felt down and didn’t know if creating this dream was realistic. Just freelancing was what I knew I wanted to do, but it barely paid the bills and caused me some financial stress. I am happy to say I finally found a job to alleviate some of that, but now I have less time to focus on building Six Degrees. BUT, now I have more money to funnel into it. The grass is always greener. There will always be something to learn and challenges to overcome. I think that’s what makes the process of building your own dream so fulfilling and rich.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Six Degrees Creative is a photo, video, drone, editing, and content creation company. The thing I am most proud of is how much I have been able to build it through personal connection. I make an effort to network, connect, hand out cards, and meet new people. I think when people see Six Degrees Creative they know it’s Zach. Everything about it. I put my heart into it and I want people to feel that.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I live in San Diego and the music scene has been crushing it lately! It seems there is always a show to go to or something fun going on. Not to mention you have the whole coast and the Mojave desert two hours east (yet still in SD County). For a photographer, you cannot beat that! I say be a photographer in San Diego! Be a photographer anywhere even if you just do it for fun.
Los Angeles is definitely a city for art/photo. It’s the mecca for a lot of things. There will be competition everywhere you go so I think you should just pursue your passion wherever you feel comfortable!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sixdegreescr.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixdegreescreative/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sixdegreescreative/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Image Credit:
Main photo is taken by Alexis Hubbard
Zachary Lefevre @SixDegreesCreative
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