In our experience, talking about legacy is often subtly discouraged by society and we find this to be deeply unfortunate. Thinking about the legacy you would like to build can help you better align your work, life, time – your sweat and tears – with your values. Below, we’ve tried to create a space for folks to start conversations about they legacies they are hoping to build.

Nathaniel Graham

Growing up in Southeast D.C. I didn’t have any examples or role models that could assure me I’d live pass 18. Fatherless I was raised by my mother and along with my four sisters. Through the grace of God I was able to move from that environment, to give myself a fighting chance to make it in this world. As a father and mentor I openly share my healing journey of a traumatic upbringing to be a living testimony that it doesn’t matter where you start, it’s about your desire for a better destination. I believe I’ll be remembered as a person who left behind a committed life that inspire and motivated the youth and my peers to find the champion in themselves. Read more>>

David Hanning

I know that I have helped contribute to a long lasting legacy of paragliding in the USA and in particular here in the South Eastern Tennessee mountains outside of Chattanooga. Already the legacy of free flight is strong in the region thru Hang Gliding’s long association with the region. My influence has been to revitalize the sports of un-powered ultralight flight by being present in this remote location offering logistical support to the existing pilot community & building a larger community of paraglider pilots thru my school, www.flying.camp. Read more>>

Jeremy Hodges

Embodying the notion of “Be The Oil Painting” defines my life’s mission: to create a legacy that transcends time, leaving behind a positive mark that someone would proudly immortalize in an oil painting. Much like the iconic figures in history whose portraits narrate timeless stories, I aspire to leave a legacy of significance. Read more>>

Ryan Johnson

I strive to relate to people through my own experiences. To connect with the masses as a cautionary tale and an advocate for hope and change within yourself. From love to health crises, I do my best to document my journeys and ask the tough questions. I hope when I’m gone, people will take the core of my art and strive to do better, be kinder, and deal with reality without blinders. Read more>>

Robert Greenwald

I hope after I’m gone, people will remember the fun times & good memories, either on-set or just hanging out. I want to build a legacy off of positivity and laughter. There’s a lot that goes on daily for people, positively & negatively. I would like to be one of the positive moments in people’s lives. I want people who want to forget about their real world struggles to come to me when they want me to show them how funny & unserious life is, but also to come to me when they want me to just listen about their serious issues. Read more>>

Champ Clark

I’m pursuing a legacy that will be remembered by my family & every individual that I come in contact with. I’m setting that bar high to leave generational wealth & financial freedom for my children & so on. I think people will have an overall great speech to share after I’m gone. They will talk about how I was a leader, how I stayed true to my goals & passions. They will also mention how much I had a drop belief in God & how generous I was to those around me & the community. Read more>>

Wayne Balroop

The legacy I aspire to build is one rooted in compassion, empowerment, and positive transformation for those around me. My mission is to contribute to the betterment of lives, fostering a ripple effect of growth and well-being for individuals and their families. Read more>>

Bre Welch

I learned early on that I prefer to photograph people one-on-one. I would get anxiety and have a hard time listening to my creative voice with large groups of people. I’ve also always been drawn to the aesthetic of a simple portrait-that there could be so many different interpretations of a photo of a person’s face with each different photographer. I love expressive and subtle faces. I love when people get crinkles around their eyes when they smile. I love when a person has dimples. Read more>>

LaShon Holliday

I am building a legacy for my grandkids! My goal is to change the narrative for my grandchildren by creating generational wealth. I hope to be remembered as a strong-minded, powerful, knowledgeable, business-minded woman who was never afraid to take chances on myself. I hope that this teaches my grandchildren to ALWAYS go after their wildest dreams, no matter how many nay-sayers come around or how hard the road ahead may seem. Read more>>

Jori Parson

In a world where anyone has the resources to create and share with a great amount of people, It can be intimidating to create. because you wonder, what makes me special? How can I bring something different to the table? The tendency to copy & to form your image to fit what’s working for others is tempting. I hope to gain the courage to stain my work with the very essence of me. To be original. Read more>>

Venita Bledsoe

I want to build a legacy of creatives supporting each other more. Creativity plays such an important role in the world and I think if people were more willing to collaborate and celebrate each other rather than fighting to be better than one another that people who want to be creative and start businesses and put themselves out there will do it effortless. Aside from the quality of my work, I want to be remembered for greatness, for the love I show to others and for the positivity I provide. Read more>>

Kari Tello

Documenting the real shit matters! Obviously we take photos to remember important moments, & while a curated “posey” photo can be so creatively inspiring & a beautiful work of art, there’s rarely any emotion attached to it. More than anything I want the couples I work with to be reminded of why they’re so in love when they see their portraits, & why the hell they got married in the first place! I want them to feel the pure joy of their wedding day rush back every time they look at their wedding photos. I do everything I can to encourage couples to just be present & soak up every moment on their wedding day. Read more>>

Davina Dréma

I would like to think it’s nothing too far from reach, but my hopes are that the legacy I leave for my loved ones, and for my child, especially would be a plethora of wisdom and inspiration. May my actions and character be enough to demonstrate the beauty of living life well and to its full capacity. Read more>>

Nadia Zaki

I hope that after I am no longer a part of this world , people will remember me as someone who tried to make a difference to the world not through grand acts of service, but through the little ones. Every painting I have made has had meaning behind it, and I hope that message transcends long after I am gone.  Read more>>