We were lucky to catch up with Erik Snyder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erik, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

During the end of my time working as a lighting director / gaffer, I began to think of what it would take for me to finally feel fulfilled in life. I sat down and made a list and thought that if I checked all of the boxes, that I’d finally be happy. Some examples were making $100k+ as a full-time photographer, getting engaged, adopting a dog, opening my own photo studio, buying a nice car, the list goes on and on. About a year and a half after making my list I checked the last box and much to my surprise, I felt nothing. I had the loving partner, a puppy named Percy, a new SUV, I opened the photo studio, and broke $100k my fist year as a full-time photographer. I began to deeply question my motivation and the growing frustration drove me to start looking inward. This was the turning point in my life, my coming to terms with this idea that material gain was all I needed to feel whole.

Erik, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got started with photography as a young kid with a darkroom in my parent’s laundry room. I was 10 years old the first time I put a sheet of exposed photographic paper into a tray of developer and I was hooked. It was a moment of pure alchemical magic and I soon knew I wanted to focus my life around photography. I went on to obtain a BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After graduation, I climbed the ranks from photo assistant to lighting director to full time photographer over a 10 year period. I am currently a full time professional photographer in NYC specializing in portrait and fashion photography.

What sets me apart from a lot of other photographers is my focus on service. This actually led me to take on a second career as a life coach and I received my certification through Deepak Chopra’s program. I have chronic pain from a life-long spinal condition that led me seeking alternatives to western medicine and I eventually studied Ayurveda and Vedic philosophy with my coach, Vira Tansey. Through all of these trainings and personal coaching I was able to dismantle my limiting beliefs and change my mindset around managing chronic pain and the resulting depression that came along with it. This transformation led to a new passion of working in service to support others with their own challenges and negative thinking.

I definitely bring a different energy to my sets after all of these experiences and it’s amazing to see these two worlds merge. I deeply understand the challenges and pitfalls of working as a freelance creative and I really love supporting other artists. Photography by nature isn’t the most collaborative medium so coaching has become an amazing way for me to collaborate with others in the most important medium that exists, their lives.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Looking back on my career I think the main thing I had to unlearn was this feeling that I’m unsafe in the world. There was always this gut feeling that I won’t have what I need to survive and I need to compete to be “the best” out there so I can feel a sense of safety and self-esteem. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little healthy competition but what I experienced was a deep attachment to being better than others. It all came from early childhood wounds and the ego puffed up to protect me. The ego isn’t bad by nature but mine was left running the show for way too long, making all of the decisions from a place of fear. I feel really grateful to have done the internal excavation work to change my mindset which allows me to now focus on simply expressing myself, along with supporting and being inspired by my peers. It’s really isolating to come from a place of feeling threatened by other people’s talent and it was costing me great friendships and inspiration.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist for me is connecting with others. Every day I show up to shoot, there’s models, creative directors, clients, assistants, glamour teams, producers, etc. I know from my days as an on-set photo assistant that those in positions of power can be extremely abusive. I’ve experienced this first hand on repeat for many years, and now that I’m in the driver’s seat it gives me the opportunity bring an inclusive and positive energy with a focus on my gratitude for everyone who came together to help make that shoot happen.

With coaching, it’s still based on that same personal connection but the focus has nothing to do with me. I’m simply there to support and hold space for others while they do the hard work. Working in service to others is the greatest feeling that exists.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erikleesnyder.com
• Instagram: @erik_lee_snyder
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/erik-lee-snyder-1936a34a

Image Credits
all images by Erik Lee Snyder