Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giovanni Hendrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Giovanni, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

For a very long time, I was led to believe that the only way I could make it in this world was through school. Books, books, books, and more books would be my only option if I wanted a good life. And so, I blindly followed that principle for the longest time. All honors classes, then AP, good grades, focusing on school, and studying for exams; “education”, as they like to call it, consumed most of my life and time. That was until I took a minute to look up from it all and really think about all that was happening around me. Not only is university one of the biggest expenses most people will ever make, but it also doesn’t guarantee any of the things I want out of life. It doesn’t promise strength or discipline, virtue or faith. In the end, after all of that time and money, all I’m promised is a piece of paper that says I’m qualified to do something, which in this day and age really doesn’t mean a thing.
Now I’m not saying that college is useless and that you should drop out, but the common denominator among successful people is not formal education at all. In fact, they are not qualities that can be gained in any classroom or lecture hall. Winning requires abilities that many people will never have. It takes being fearful enough to live and breathe by what you believe in with nobody in your corner and the world against you. It takes being dedicated enough for the long nights and early mornings of putting in tireless work. It takes being disciplined enough to remain on the path even when it becomes dark or obstructed. You have to be prepared for anything and everything that could possibly stand your way because life will throw it all at you over and over and over again. Life will do anything to stop you from succeeding because only those capable of overcoming the impossible are worthy of success. Nobody who really gives their all to something will ever fail. Complete devotion to any goal is the key to success. You must be obsessed with not only the goal but the process of getting there. You have to believe in the dream. Making it real in your head is the only way it can ever be real in life.
There’s a reason we dream. Something within these dreams of ours is trying to tell us that we can be more than we are. We only have one shot at life, so if you are willing to waste yours for the sake of playing it safe and comfortable then so be it. The people you once called dreamers will be seeing you from the top, happy that we followed our “silly little dreams”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As you know my name is Giovanni Hendrick, better known as ghendrickphoto. I got into photography after receiving a camera as a gift from my mom and seeing my brother take some pretty awesome shots of his own. Photography helped me through some hard times after my dad passed. It was therapeutic; something to be proud of myself for. My work is a mix of personal projects and client work. On the personal side, I’ve been very into automotive photography as of late. Going to car shows with my friends gives me ample opportunity to get pictures as well as be a part of an awesome community of people. The passion people put under the hoods of these things is insane and I have such a respect for all car people. Plus, I wouldn’t trade quality time with my friends for anything. Street photography is still my favorite though. Something about capturing genuine, unscripted moments is so very special to me.
On the client side, I mainly do portrait stuff whether it be for an event or just a friend of mine who needs gym photos. I’ve been doing more video work lately and it’s been a fun experience learning to use all the software and different film styles.
I am and will always be most proud of my personal work. When I am inspired to create something, there is nothing better than seeing it manifest into something awesome. That being said, I am proud of all of my work. As an artist, it isn’t about what other people think. It’s not about posting something to get people’s attention, but rather that I like my work enough to want to share it with the world. That’s what art is about.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think that a lot of people have this life thing all wrong. The fact of the matter is that us being alive in the first place is incredibly unlikely. So many things have to go right for someone to be blessed with life. So we are put on this earth against incredible odds for what, to work a 9-5 job for our whole lives only to spend retirement spending all the money we saved up on medication? Think what you want but I humbly disagree. I want my work to remind people of all that there is to find and see in life. All the lessons to be learned, places to be seen, people to meet, things to do. The world is full of opportunities for adventure yet people avoid all of it for the sake of safely securing a mundane life. I want people to see what life could be like through a different lens; my lens.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think all people who pursue something that is “too risky” or “just a dream” become very familiar with a specific form of rejection that most others will never experience. You can hear it in movies and songs as many times as you like, but it will never prepare you for the feeling of genuinely having no one believe in you. As harsh as it sounds, it’s not all that bad. You can’t blame people who are too closed-minded to understand your dreams and your willingness to pursue them. They were simply taught to be that way. Remember that when rockets go into space the boosters fall off on the way up. Not believing in you doesn’t make them bad people. They are simply not prepared to go as far as you’re going. You have to be able to understand that having no one behind you isn’t a bad thing. If you tell people what you want to be in life and they don’t at least jokingly tell you that you are crazy, then your dreams aren’t big enough. So my advice is to be weary of that feeling of loneliness in your belief in yourself. Chances are, that’s a sign you’re doing something right.

Contact Info:

• Website: ghendrickphoto.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: @ghendrickphoto