Today we’d like to introduce you to Namar Burton.
Hi Namar, 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’ve always been a creative, as a child I was drawn to writing; whether it was poetry, essays, scripts or speeches, it’s a skill that was innate since I can remember. Photography however, was purposely placed into my life. While attending the Elementary Institute of Science of San Diego, I learned to shoot and develop 35mm film – the entire process stuck with me. Flash forward to my college years – as a writing major, due to an elective class, I once again picked up a camera, it’s re-emergence in my life came with a budding love of films. I wasn’t aware, but the seeds of what I would peruse were being planted in me. Then at the age of twenty-two, while celebrating with friends in Hollywood, I was stuck by a party bus while crossing the street, I experienced third-degree burns on my legs from being dragged over three-hundred feet, I was ran over three times, and nearly crushed by the same bus. That tragedy altered the course of my life, doctors believed I would succumb to my injuries, but when I did survive and regain consciousness, I was told I would never walk again. But I’ve never been the type of person to be told what is and isn’t possible. After ten months of countless surgeries, grim forecasts, and unshakeable determination, I entered physical therapy to learn to walk again – and today I walk without assistance. As terrifying and devastating as that situation was, it revealed my strength, uncoorked my will power and resilience, I was unrefined coal compressed into a diamond. I felt spiritually renewed like a walking-breathing breathtaking piece of kintsugi come to life. I found joy, laughter, and miracles in the darkest possible place and it shifted everything for me. I had a new lens to see the world through, photography became a way to, “Greet God,” to find the small miracles that are everywhere. As cheesy as it sounds, I believe the ability to find beauty where most can’t see it is visual alchemy, the miraculous is everywhere . Pointing my camera and finding something striking was a form of meditation and with that photography became the foundational element that brought my many gifts together. After spending years pivoting from street photography to fashion work, landscape, portraits, shooting live events, film and digital photography; chasing every bit of inspiration, I feel I’ve come into my own as a visual creator and stepping into the next chapter of my visual work.
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?
The algorithm! All jokes aside – balancing inspiration and exploration with the business aspect of being a creative has been a difficult endeavor. I learned, often harshly, that it didn’t matter how many creative hats I wore if my business hat wasn’t apart of the rotation. Forgetting to don that hat stalled parts of my career for years. Thankfully, these past few years have allowed me to shed that naivety and approach work, inspiration, and business from a different vantage point. Which has allowed me to avoid creative burn-outs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My tenacity and perspective set me apart. If I set my mind to do something it will get accomplished. My perspective allows me to bring a different element that most are unaware of.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mother and siblings have supported me and upheld me in various ways, along with a few friends. My mom kept me grounded and constantly reminded me to take care of the business aspect of my creative work – a practice I’m finally implementing and my brothers let me practice my portrait and fashion work on them for years – which let me sharpen my skills. My sister, would put me in spaces with more established photographers and directors where I could learn.”
Pricing:
- HEADSHOTS – $500
- FAMILY PHOTOS – $500
- LIVE EVENTS – $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://namardb.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/namardb?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/namardb?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Twitter: twitter.com/namar_d_b
Image Credits
All Images taken by me ©Namardb
