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

Alright, Oluwaseyi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Although I have been doing video production since I graduated in 2016, I finally went full-time in 2019. Prior to that, I took whatever random video/photo gigs that presented themselves while I earned a living at my 9-5 jobs.

The journey to going full-time stemmed from me realizing that if I did not make a move, I will be stuck doing everything but what I really wanted to do. This realization gave me only one choice, one I knew I had to approach aggressively. This all also happened when I started to really understand the value of time and effort. The more time and effort you put into something, it is almost impossible not to see growth, no matter how small it may be.

I decided that rather than putting 40 hours a week into all these random jobs, I will rather put myself in a position to have 4o hours a week to plan my future career-wise and did the required labor, This led to me quitting my job at the time to specifically focus on networking with videographers that needed an extra hand, walking from store to store seeking businesses that needed photo/video service. This is what I did with my 40 hours a week.

With time, my network grew, I had more to show, and overall was always available to show up! It wasn’t by any means easy. For the first couple of months I truly struggled, but going back to a 9-5 would completely defeat the purpose so I stuck with it because remember, the more time and effort you put into something, it is almost impossible not to see growth, no matter how small it may be.

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

My name is Oluwaseyi Thomas, I go by OT, and video production is my thing. I specialize in being a Director of Photography (DP) but I am always happy to wear any hat I am skilled at.

Getting into video production was the result of me finding where I belong in the world of entertainment. Before ending up behind the camera, I explored options in front of the camera which included, acting, music and at some point wanted to be a newscaster but I learned none of those were for me which I was honestly okay with.

I guess at some point, I thought, “instead of trying to be in the movies, why don’t you try making them”. I went with it, bought a camcorder with my savings in high school, and volunteered my time to make skating videos, music videos, and meaningless documentary-style videos. The editing part was fun so I decided to pursue that in college but within my first two months, I accepted that I do not have the patience to take it seriously as a career, so I stuck with the camera and got to understand the power of lighting which has led me to where I am today.

Today, most of my work comes from agencies/clients with specific needs for a DP but I also take on my personal clients and help facilitate projects that I feel confident in executing from a production standpoint. I help develop concepts and provide advice in regard to over execution of the project. Sometimes I were many hats which include directing, DP, editing, nondemanding sound setups, and putting a crew together. Whatever it takes. Being flexible with anything is always a plus and I try to be reasonably flexible in any space I find myself in.

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

One of the main things you have to unlearn is the need to compete. I personally believe there is enough work out there to approach the business in a healthy way that completely focuses on your personal growth and an individual or business. If you better those things every chance you get, the story will naturally write itself without you having to research how to one-up the next person.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Another thing to unlearn is the need for perfection. That only kills time and makes you crazy. Always prioritize quality control but never forget the thin line between that and an unhealthy obsession to be perfect.

Wanting to be perfect could be in many forms. Wanting to be perfect with your work, wanting to be perfect when you communicate with clients. These forced approaches are noticeable and frankly jarring.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oluwaseyithomas.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dp_ot
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTperspectives/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/oluwaseyithomas/