Rising Stars: Meet Courion Khaliq of Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courion Khaliq.

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’m a creative director and producer. The definition of what a director does may change depending on who you ask. My duties include conceiving concepts and translating those ideas into a tangible creative concept board so that my clients and models can understand the story that I’m planning to tell. Independently, I also scout models, scout locations, design sets, take the photos, do my own editing, and do my own marketing. Fundamentally, I’m guiding my clients through their creative needs.

I always knew I was different. Growing up in Ohio, I was always an alien. I believed I was the problem until I matured and realized that I had outgrown my hometown in so many ways. My first journey away from home was when I went to design school. It was such a beautiful experience, essential to my development as a young adult and creative. I was able to realize my strengths and unveil my unrealized talents and skills as a creative. I studied fashion design but later discovered there are other roles within the industry that I favored more. I knew I felt the most rewarded during the conceptual part of the design process, specifically creating mood boards and sketching/illustrating my designs. My biggest enlightenment came when it was time to shoot my senior collection. As design students, we were encouraged to collaborate with senior photography students from the neighboring journalism school. I knew it would be difficult to communicate what I needed from an outside photographer and knew no one would be able to capture the essence of my collection the way I could. I went through the entire creative process for this: scouted models, found the location, shot the looks, and edited the photos. There I was, a design student shooting my own collection in an old reformatory, not knowing that this was the beginning of my professional journey. When the images were exactly how I envisioned, I thought to myself “this is what I want to do.” I knew I couldn’t stay in Ohio to pursue this. That’s when I decided to relocate to Los Angeles.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve experienced many challenges.

Although I considered myself prepared to relocate, it’s really not enough preparation that I could have done to ensure a smoother transition into a completely new environment that contrasts incredibly from my origins.

One of my biggest hurdles was becoming acclimated to the culture in LA. I also found it difficult at times to find community. These challenges taught me some of my biggest lessons, specifically showing me that it’s crucial to break away from old habits that would have let me stay afloat in my hometown. I had to shed a lot of my old self in order to be comfortable and find stability here. Being a social person along with enjoying attending events and going out are all things that I had to graciously accept as being a part of my new life. Being a loner in a city like this one will only hinder you.

Creatively, it can be difficult to align with others at times due to cultural differences and egos. However, I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many other creatives.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an independent creative director and producer in the fashion photography space. I plan and execute photo shoots for clients. There’s so many elements that go into achieving a desired result such as creating a visualization of what I plan to do, selecting the right location or studio, designing the lighting for the shoot, and choosing the best shooting practices. I also secure the looks and experiment to find what looks best. Finally, I select the best photos and edit them to deliver desired results to clients. 

My biggest achievement thus far is to still be here creating, working, and ascending in my career despite early challenges and some inevitable obstacles that appear presently.

I have my tangible achievements as well, like having my work published. Also, seeing my work appear on digital music platforms excites me as well.

I believe my authenticity makes me unique. I’m real with myself. I’m real with my clients and collaborators. And I think my authenticity translates into my work. I like to present my subjects at their best but I don’t believe in altering their physicalities for aesthetic. We’re human and have flaws, and I like to show that in my work.

I also believe I simply just know what looks good and what doesn’t. I’m amazed at the way my mind and eyes work sometimes.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I think my favorite would be when my parents and grandparents would have birthday parties for me in our backyard and every single kid and teenager from the neighborhood would come and help celebrate. I think I just miss that early 2000s feel of love, family, and community. I also have a fond memory of when I began forming my lifelong relationships with my friends in high school, who most of them are still close friends of mine currently. They’re my chosen family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/rockstarson1y?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1courion?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
All images shot by Courion Khaliq.