We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jerel Canty. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jerel below.

Jerel, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful projects I have worked on are the photos and videos I’ve taken of my hometown area of East St. Louis, Illinois. The first project was when I was in college. I created series called “The Death Trap Series,” these photos are displayed showing dilapidated buildings of homes and businesses. Strip clubs, clubs and liquor stores were also part of this series. The reason of this series to be created was the idea of “I am motivated and inspired by the lack of inspiration that surrounds me.” From this mindset, I see everything possible that can be achieved with thinking and learning about life outside of peril environments and situations. By showing the narrative, and staying consistent within my craft, my art will help and inspire others that come from where I am from to accomplish more in life, as that is part of my purpose. Recently, I have made current posts to my website and social media outlets to show the East St. Louis area as aesthetically pleasing and admirable as possible.

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.

My name is Jerel Canty, and I am an artist, photographer, cinematographer and content developer based in the Greater St. Louis area [Missouri & Illinois]. Ever since I has a young child, and taking family trips, my parents would give me a Polaroid camera and I would start capturing photos of the adventures we had. Through grade school and high school, my passion for art continued to grow into many other mediums. When I finally had gotten to college, it was necessary to continue the growth of my creative roots, especially with getting back into photography. I had graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a degree in Studio Art, with the main emphasis in photography in 2013. As time went on, my obsession with photography continues to grow. With my photography and cinematography, I give visual presentations of narratives that aesthetically capture moments and places in time that will intrigue viewers. The main purpose of my artwork is to provide great sparks of imagination while offering phenomenal services to people around the world that helps them and also the people they service to live great lives and carry on the essence of generosity.

With getting into the industry, I made the leap into reaching out to people, businesses and brands to help them with their presence in the Industry. Within the industry, it is prevalent to be observant and continuously learning to expand the medium in ways that it hasn’t been seen before to visually impact the viewers and businesses in unique ways.

This is where discipline is necessary to embrace the process daily with learning, practicing techniques and understanding the business of it all. Through my business, I provide specific photos and video services, photographic prints, books and puzzles. The opportunities I help with clients is to activate my aesthetic perception within their branding to show clients of their professional presence.

Within my craft, my perspective finds the great and bountiful essence of the subjects I see, the people I meet and the environments I am surrounded by and see. Through my eyes, I welcome viewers to see the world through my eyes.

What I am most proud of is getting to meet amazing people constantly through the craft with the love of art, not only in photography or video, but in all forms of art.

For anyone and all that view my work, is that I want them to know about my craft and brand is that it is all about respect and generosity. With these two main elements, the energy is meant to pay it forward continuously and positively through my craft and brand.

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

The goals and mission of my creative journey to pay it forward to help people live their purpose that helps other people and it continuously grows through the essence of generosity. Another part of my mission and goals is to motivate and inspire people from my community and/or other communities that are like mine from where I come from around the world to see and act upon progressing in positive opportunities that will lead to positive outcomes.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspects of being an artist is how the craft I provide for others helps them and motivates them, and to see how they are fulfilled with the results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jerelcanty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerelcanty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialjerelcanty/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerel-canty-b526ba72
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jerelcanty
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZu_7jbDWZ-rV-M_5Pr3vjw
• Other: https://vero.co/jerelcanty

Image Credits
Woman photographed: Kiara Jones Man photographed: Denzel Demond Robinson