Indy Arts Corner: StillCanon
Guys. If you didn't know, Indianapolis has an incredible community of photographers. The powers of social media bring them right to your fingertips and I am loving every minute of it. For example, did you know there are frequent photography meetups throughout the city hosted by IgersIndy? Hundreds of local explorers, getting together at unique locations all around Indy - capturing jaw dropping images. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, there is so much inspiration and a great community to learn from.
This month's feature goes by the name of StillCanon. You can find him roaming the streets of Indianapolis, Gary or Chicago with a camera in hand. His way of capturing raw, city life caught our eye. So, naturally we had to find out more (and of course ask random questions about food preference, because that's what we do around here). Read on for the interview below....
OK, so give us your life story! Where ya from and where are you now?
I'm from Gary, Indiana born and raised. Stayed there my whole life. Graduated from Gary West Side in 2007, then went off to college to Vincennes University. Right now I'm Indianapolis, right in Carmel. Indianapolis is pretty cool.
What are you shooting with?
I shoot with the Canon 70D as of right now. I got the Rebel T6 as well. Mainly the 70D.
What made you pick up a camera?
To be honest, I always took pictures. As far as selfies, like way back with the flip phones! The mirror poses with the phone and everything! I was always photogenic before [working with] the actual DSLR. So, I ended up starting a clothing line called LVPV Clothing. Always seeing fashion designers and seeing the quality of photos they produce was an eye opener for me, and it was an inspiration. So when I saw that, I'm like yea - I want that, haha.
We've seen lots of awesome portrait photography from you. Do you work on any other subjects or styles of photography?
I do street photography actually. That's my main focus, I just happened to do a lot of portraits. I'm trying to get into a little bit of everything. Just to not keep myself inside a box.
Tell me about your favorite photo shoot thus far? Or, even better - most awkward?
My favorite photo shoot would have to be when I did the 2nd Annual Alumni Basketball Game that was back at home in Gary. Hosted by Allante Yarbrough. It's a huge event for the city of Gary. It was so fun - walking around and people posing for pictures in the crowd. Everybody having fun & enjoying the event. That did it for me. The reaction on social media was crazy...I haven't had any awkward ones, yet.
What are your goals in the photography industry? Is this a full time career for you?
My goal is to get my own photography studio. That's my main thing, ownership. I'm already an entrepreneur, but being more involved in that. I actually want to be on the road with entertainers and be a camera man for somebody. Right now, I'm not full time but in the future I will be. Very soon.
There is so much thriving talent in our community and its wonderful to engage via social media. What are your thoughts? Are you working with any other artists or entrepreneurs in the Indiana area?
Let me say this. Man, it's so much talent in the community. Seriously. It's a lot of good photographers in Indy. It just blows my mind. The talent is out the roof. A few people have reached out to me about coming together and doing photos. For sure before the summer is out, you'll see me working with a few of them. Another artist I work with, named AJ Styles from the LAS (Living Against the System) LLC Music group. I've shot a few photos for them and some videos.
Can you tell me about this "Kanye West for President" hat campaign? Looks interesting. Are you the primary photographer for this?
Oh yea the Kanye West campaign come from my homie Mike, @wheresmikeg. He reached out to me to do a shoot for him and his boy. That was another opportunity. They're dad hats, very dope. He been moving units on those, people should hit him up because they've been selling out. I'm not the only photographer who did those though...there were a few other good photographers as well. [Editors Note: check out product for the Kanye West for President campaign here]
Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers? How can they improve? What are you doing to develop your own talent?
I don't have any tips, but what I can say is practice. How can you get better if you never practice shooting? I mean, shoot anything it don't matter what it is, ha. I feel like everybody that does photography has their own style. So find your style and just shoot. Trust me you'll get better. What I do to develop myself is actually funny. I just take my camera, and sneak shots of people. I know it sound crazy, but it works! I've been to grocery store...man any place you can name. Taking pictures of people and they don't even know. Just to see how good the picture is on the first try.
Best way to reach you for projects - IG? Email? Website?
My IG is @stillcanon. Anyone can reach me at stillcanon87@gmail.com for any inquires. My website is ssshots.com where all of my photos are and, my brand 7knowledge which is to drop this fall. Those photos will be posted on there as well.
Now this a tough question, but give it your best shot: Tell us your top three breakfast cereals and why??
This one is hard. For sure Reese's Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Honeycomb. I just love Reese's flat out period. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is more of an alternative if I can't get to Reese's Puffs. Honeycomb is good, but it's just number three ha.
Oh, your brand 7knowledge! Sounds cool. So is this a clothing brand? What should we know about it?
Yea 7Knowledge is my brand. It's a hat brand which I just decided to expanded into clothing. I'm not gonna do too much clothing though...here and there maybe. It's more of an expensive taste. It stands for hidden power. Gained through mastering obstacles, perfection, silence, and independence. Of course knowledge, of knowing. You'll be seeing some of that very soon. Just been taking my time with it. I sold out of the first 20 hats I did back in June. So I had to start back from scratch
Image Credit: Jereyl Grice