We were lucky to catch up with Luther Schlaifer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Luther, thanks for joining 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?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my work as a photographer. in the Winter of 2018 I was playing basketball at my community college when I suddenly got sick and had to drop out for that semester. I planned to go back in the fall of the following school year and had my classes scheduled. For Christmas that Winter, I received a camera and started taking photos at my local high school. I had no real intentions by doing this, besides filling up time since I was getting better and just had nothing to do most days. Once I started to do it consistently, my mother suggested that I try it out for the year coming up (2019), and if it was just a phase, then I could go back to school that upcoming Spring. From there, I started reaching out to photographers that I quickly started to look up too, employees at bigger brands that I dreamed to work for, and more. I gathered all the information I can while also developing relationships and doing my own research through Youtube videos and google searching techniques, settings, equipment, etc. I continued to shoot everyday and just fell in love with it. I quickly realized the passion I have for it and never looked back since.

For the first three years, I assisted several photographer that were successfully working full time. Those relationships grew, and I became a sponge to anything and everything that they would give me information on. I asked questions and learned quickly. Then, I would go home and apply the things I learned to my shoots until I got the results I was striving for. I don’t really think the process could have went much quicker if I knew the things I now know. Mainly, because the networking takes time and at least for me, it isn’t forced. Most of the people I met throughout my career, are friends and people I talk to often. Within four years I went from making $0 to supporting myself as a full- time photographer and to me at least, it feels like this has been a pretty fast process.

Luther, 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?

My name is Luther Schlaifer and I am a Sports/ Commercial Photographer located in the NJ/ NYC area. I have always been into art my whole life and I was always pretty good at it. I remember getting invited to some art field trips in middle school and being asked by teachers to join the “better” art classes throughout high school. I just never knew a career could come out of it because I was always taught that they’re electives in school and hobby’s outside of school… and that’s it. So now looking back, it makes me feel good to know that this is something I was always interested in, but just never had the guidance to pursue it.

I’m most proud of my consistent hard work and drive to be the best I could be. I’ve never been this committed to something and I’ve never applied myself this much towards anything. in my life. So looking back at these last four years and what I’ve accomplished is something I’m grateful for.

I want people to know that it isn’t easy. We only show people what we want them to see (usually to make ourselves look better). There are still days I feel discouraged and lack confidence in my abilities and in my work. I often feel I’m not good enough and that has been an on going thing throughout my life. But what keeps me going is my passion towards photography. I love my job and that’s enough for me to keep going.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer to me is seeing my work used my brands or athletes that I look/have looked up to. The feeling never gets old and seeing my work being used gives a sense of confidence that I haven’t experienced before. Especially, when sometimes it isn’t expected. Just randomly seeing it on a billboard for Nike Basketball, or the NBA posting one of your photos… it’s exciting and gives an indescribable feeling.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I often get this question asked and it’s a really hard one for me to answer. I feel like a lot of my goals that I may have had when I first started this journey, have been achieved. Since things have been growing for me at a pretty fast rate, I’ve set more long term goals. It sounds cliche, but my goals are to be the best version of myself as a photographer and to shoot for many of the biggest brands in the world. These past few years, I’ve worked really hard to get to where I’m at, i’ve been consistent, and I’ve treated people with kindness and respect (this one is really important). I think if I continue to do these things, there isn’t anything that can get in the way of what I want to accomplish throughout the span of my career as a photographer.

Contact Info:

• Website: Lukeschlaifer.com
• Instagram: @Lukeschlaiferphoto
• Linkedin: Luther Schlaifer
• Twitter: Lukesflicks