We were lucky to catch up with Pras Luebke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Pras, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I took a risk to become a Photographer and leave a very secure career, and discovered I just enjoy making art through photography. I’m still betting on becoming a photographer full time and having my LLC flourish, but currently I still remain at my 9-5 office job. Sadly, it’s still just a side hustle, but with time I believe I can make the transition.

I’m proud to say that I’ve stuck my neck out and received tremendous recognition for my photography through publications and photography exhibits. First month into my journey as a photographer I submitted to my first art show on a whim and my submission made the front cover for the exhibit!

So I took the risk to do something that is creatively satisfying and can be lucrative with some time equity and patience.

Pras, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up I really wanted to be a Broadway Actor. I sang, I danced and I acted in almost all my local theaters and school, but my parents had other plans for me, stereotypically, possibly a scientist, doctor, engineer. Also, no matter how good I was, I’d never be cast in a Broadway production because I’m a minority performer, and at the time I wasn’t the right “type” for many parts.

Well, fast forward 20 plus years, and we’re hit with a world pandemic, and I never made it to the Broadway stage, or for a brief period of time, a desire to become videographer or oceanographer, but instead serving in Civil Service though, working all over the world doing amazing things and meeting incredible people.

When the COVID Pandemic hit us, I found myself wanting to find a creative outlet to express myself. So I picked up my DSLR Nikon and started photographing my world. With home school mandated, I was able to travel with my family to places I’ve always wanted to visit. I found a new passion in photographing landmarks and landscapes in general, and felt I could live my dream of being a creative through photography. I took a leap of faith and decided to invest in myself and become a Photography LLC and PeKai Photography LLC was born.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to prove to myself that anything is possible if you put some drive and will behind it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Photography for me is not just taking a pretty picture, its the ability to tell a story or move your audiences with a well composed photograph. It’s like the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” When my photographs provokes an emotion from my clients and audiences, it gives me such a thrill and gratification that I created a piece that is moving.

Contact Info:

• Website: pekaiphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pekaiphotography
• Facebook: facebook.com/pekaiphotography