Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carlos Kidd. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carlos, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
How did you learn to do what you do?
Lighthouse Visions was born from a deep love for storytelling and visual impact at the beginning of pandemic doing a small creative artist group think tank. I was always enamored with movies growing up and how a frame can express a core theme of feeling or anything the director wanted to convey without anything being said. My knowledge and learning process included a blend of passion, asking LOTS of questions, hands-on experience, LOTS of self-teaching ( shoutout to Youtube & Tik Tok University lol ), a bit of mentorship, and relentless curiosity. I immersed myself in film, photography, and cinematography through research, trial, and error—doing shoots for friends, assisting on sets, partnering on a production company, studying cinematography like a student would study in film school, and learning editing tools along the way. Every video, gig, video shoot I was on whether I was a photographer, talent, dancer, or model, whether paid or passion-based, taught me something new about light, vibe, emotion, and the importance of the depth of a vision. Over time, I began to find what fed my voice as a visual artist and creative director.
Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
If I could go back, I would have started collaborating WAY earlier, found the right/proper people to depend on to be creative with/find support in, believe in my creative and visionary abilities a whole lot more, as well as lean into mentorship way sooner; though that journey started in the middle of the pandemic. There’s something incredibly powerful about being in the room with people who are the perfect representation of your values and shared vision. Depending on your values and mission, there’s plenty of rooms you belong in and plenty that’ll make it seem as if you don’t. I feel we as creatives feel/are taught we must go through a gauntlet of pain before getting to the other side of success, when its actually all about being upfront about your aim and mission so you can find the right people that align with you, your passion, & criteria for safety. I spent a lot of time figuring things and other people out to see if I fit rather than seeing if people fit me, where I wanted to go, and where I wanted to take art and my own corner of the industry. Which with the wrong people, created a stifling effect to the fun that breeds true expansive creativity. Creating and developing my own voice before looking to belong could’ve, and i believe would have, accelerated my growth in ways I couldn’t even imagine; but still, I am 100% grateful for where I am today. Lots of lessons learned / taken in. I also would’ve believed in myself more & trusted my eye/instincts WAY earlier; to avoid encountering the inevitable that comes with being aligned with people who showed we weren’t walking the same path under the same intention. Sometimes we just don’t see it early enough, but God always has you in his hands guiding your life.
What skills do you think were most essential?
Beyond technical skills like lighting, framing, and editing,—vision, open-mindedness, and leadership have been the most essential lessons for me. There is so much to learn out there that without a solid idea or direction you want to take on what you are creating, you wont be able to properly learn the proper skills to do what is needed for growth or accuracy. Having a preferred vision has built a solid foundation for my value system to not only thrive but teach me along the way what’s for me and what isn’t; even if it took me awhile to catch on.
Creating strong visuals is one thing, but knowing how to make people feel safe & valued enough being apart of your team is all around a whole other concept. We live in a world so hung up on power and wanting the “control” that many people even on an energetic level can’t and don’t feel heard for their unique artistic contribution. All art started out safe at one point for all of us, and it’s an art to keep it that way; especially when our industry has tainted the initial spark we all had, in the name of professionalism. Safety, on all fronts, will always be my top priority on every set I am apart of; whether it be mine or some else’s .
I also love to plan and create detailed playbooks for all of my projects so, preparedness paired with a sense of adaptability set me up for all the challenges I couldn’t imagine or foresee coming. Whether it’s last-minute shoot changes or budget constraints, being able to pivot while staying focused on the planned creative goal has been fundamental experience for me. Being a professional dancer for the past 7+ years, it’s given me the familiarity of inevitable last minute changes with ingrained weeks of preparation in my back pocket. Being in the dance scene as talent, its almost always common to come across on the spot changes mid performance due to anything out of the blue, which can naturally cause hesitancy but invites the most rawest version of you to step to the plate and honor the process; especially when you are working with your everyday big name stars/brands like Ozuna, Tyla, Travis Scott etc. Same goes with photoshoots for fashion brands and magazines like Selin Magazine, etc. Open-mindedness is the key. The biggest up levels for me didn’t even come from the art itself but the lifestyle that came with it.
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Honestly, the initial access and self-doubt really. Not all the time is it about lending about the craft itself but about yourself within the business, art, or lifestyle. I didn’t grow up in a environment that invited much vision for a promising exciting future; thank god for the sacrifices my parents did for my sister and I. I had a slim chance in getting out from following a path built for me by society already; which for the most part isn’t the best for most POC. Early on, I didn’t always have the opportunity, the network, or the resources others had from young to explore, discover their talents, & to see into creative spaces or ventures. For a while that created a mental block around what I thought was possible. Which in hindsight were all illusory programs but nonetheless effective psychological limitations. There were also moments where I questioned whether my ideas were “good enough”. But over time, I realized the lack of access or validation actually pushed me to be or realize I was more resourceful and innovative than I thought when the time came. I grew to be even more mindful of my resources and connections. I had to get creative with what I had—and that forged my vision and overall perspective; not only artistically but resourcefully. Overtime, you meet amazing people who understand you, truly see you, support you, & take a chance on your abilities; which by the grace of God brings you to doors he always meant for you to walk through.
Also coming up in a time where tradition was the way to expand and get ahead. the idea of “have-to” really put a overwhelming hesitancy in my ability to see expansion beyond the “current” and get truly creative with “venturing out”. With the boom of social media and content creation we obviously see those doors and old ways of being, being left behind which is amazing. At this point in time, it’s not about what you have to do to get ahead anymore but actually it’s about how to keep up in your own unique way; with what fits in your path/calling for your destiny.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Sure. My personal brand Carlos Kidd, shows I’m a multidisciplinary artist and visionary creative who blends movement, visual storytelling, and inner work into everything I create. Known first for my roots in dance, I make it a point to approach art as a spiritual practice—one grounded in presence, discipline, and emotional honesty. My journey through dance evolved into photography/ short form film, and now into full-scale creative direction, allowing me to express truth through multiple mediums. As a personal brand, I stand out for my ability to merge depth with aesthetic. Whether through visuals or conversation, I desire to invite people into intentional spaces where healing, faith, authenticity, and truth co-exist. What I truly believe sets me apart is the internal work behind my external expression—I try to ground myself in not creating for attention, but from alignment. I’ve learned to be most proud of my evolution: the way my life, art, and offerings now mirror the man I envision myself becoming/already am. For those engaging with my brand, I suggest you expect work that feels human, cinematic, and honest—whether it’s a portrait session, a creative collaboration, a dance/choreography, or a space for reflection and embodiment. My believe presence is both grounded and aspirational—a living example of what it means to build something real from the inside out.
My company Lighthouse Visions is my flagship creative company and growing media house, designed to showcase and provide for artists of all kinds. Stories with cinematic depth & emotional clarity. We at the moment specialize in photography, behind-the-scenes content, performance documentation, editorial fashion, and music culture. Lighthouse is a deep reflection of the love for film and depth; with a vision to be will known for producing visuals/movies —moody, intentional, and timeless. But Lighthouse isn’t just a visual studio—it’s a movement. I founded it with the goal of building a photography career, and in-time expanding to desiring a creative ecosystem that honors the integrity of the process just as much as the final product; mirroring exactly what I felt I was missing in my personal journey. What sets Lighthouse apart is its soul. It’s not a place where creators are reduced to a brand—it’s where they are seen, respected, and treated fairly. It’s where emerging and established talent can come together to make meaningful work, without sacrificing self nor values. Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the culture Lighthouse represents: visionary storytelling rooted in care, clarity, and artistic excellence. Everyone should know that Lighthouse is expanding. From photography services to all kinds of video services, artist creative documentation to collaborative projects with other artists—this is only the beginning of what Lighthouse will become.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes—Lighthouse Visions was created with the mission of capturing moments and people. I expanded my vision to illuminating/creating the stories, beauty, and energy of artists, performers, and visionaries through a cinematic aesthetics. I’ve always been a MASSIVE movie buff so at its core, the goal has always been to create visuals that feel like a memory, a dream, or a moment suspended in time—something that moves people emotionally, not just aesthetically. Along side of that being the artistic vision, I’m strict about creating safe space for talent and all things business on the backend that realigns the experience of the industry with pure safety and mutual respect.
I’m driven by the desire to honor authenticity and safety; whether I’m capturing/creating a movie, fashion editorial, artistic visual, choreography, behind-the-scenes footage or a live performance, I want the work to reflect something real, raw, and timeless. It’s also about building a creative home—Lighthouse isn’t just a creative company, it’s a space for collaboration, artistic elevation, and storytelling that holds depth.
Long-term, I see Lighthouse Visions growing into a full-fledged house that not only creates films & visuals—but nurtures talent, pays people fairly/timely, recognizes people for who they are, and sets a new standard for mental, spiritual, and emotional integrity in the creative industry. My journey is about showing/opening up what’s possible when vision and proper values align.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
For me the biggest pivot I went through was due to a change i feel the world went through together, which was the start of the COVID spread and going into lockdown during the pandemic. As my first passion, dance, was very much an in-person venture. With so much down time and opportunity for purchases, with a bit of hesitancy, i had invested in my first official camera. Though it took some time, my other creative interest peeked to the surface and began walking its journey of curiosity. Overtime with the lockdown and severity of the outbreak, i had no clue on where the world was going to go, how long this was going to be a thing, or what new way of life was going to be permanent; but with no end in site I think the jump into the unknown was one of courage but also a clear invitation to so much more untapped potential and love for art. Specifically my own. Letting go of what I expected would be my trajectory, which when you feel you are on the brink of truly becoming what you always defined to yourself was a true success, it took what I would define as courage, surrender, and massive faith to get to the other side.
Instead of feeding into the national chaos built on fear and long lasting pain, I focused on self-healing on a deep spiritual level. I started looking into crafting my hopes, refining my vision, and working toward the “new” which furthered the birthing of my company that, at the end of the day I hope reflects my inner creativity & most importantly values: cinematic storytelling, collaborative energy, grounded safety, and intentional creation. It also taught me that pivots don’t always look like clean business moves — sometimes they’re deeply spiritual & personal reckonings / realizations that somehow align you with what God wants you and maybe even what your inner child may be really here to explore; whether if you feel lost or completely put together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lighthousevisions.pixieset.com/fashionportfolio/fashion/ , https://lighthousevisions.pixieset.com/concertphotographyportfolio/ ,
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lighthouse_visions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-kidd-content-creator-photographer-6984a1247/
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Carlos Kidd , Farley Free , & Xensau Rei