Today we’d like to introduce you to Connor Gates

Hi Connor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Film and photography were intimidating concepts for me growing up but as time went on and opportunities came my way to dedicate my time to them everything started to click. Taking photos with my sisters point and shoots one day, the next with stealing my mom’s panasonic camcorder taught me a medium with so many possibilities was here and ready to be explored. YouTube was the first dream job with coming into my passion, however, the environment wasn’t for me. College came next and the knowledge expanded beyond cameras. I learned how to light a scene, record audio for an interview, and direct not only on-screen talent but a whole crew. It was during my college years, photography came back up and I started taking it way more seriously. I did my first portrait shoots and the value immediately was apparent to me. I love to guide people into seeing how essential they are to themselves. Now with a few film production jobs under my belt and doing photography as my part-time gig, I happily let both guide me where to go next with my talents in the midwest.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

There is no smooth road in the art industry. Surely, there are people who are born into this but even they deal with interpersonal conflicts about what they will make next and what it means to everyone. Me personally, I often have to work through major episodes of imposter syndrome in order to keep myself motivated. At the end of every thing I want to see completed, I feel I don’t deserve to make or even finish it. Who in their right mind would even care? What gives me the right to do this? Was this a waste of time? All of those thoughts have stayed in my mind ever since I dedicated myself to the world of art. The best approach to overcoming those negative notions lies with how you define your own success. Not even how others define theirs but how do you specifically see it to apply? The good news is that if you accomplish that, those notions become weaker than you. The only direction you can go from there is up.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I help people tell their stories. Whether that entails being a video editor at my full-time job or helping someone redefine the new chapter of their life with a portrait session. I think what I’m most proud of is my film photography. When I’m not doing commissions, I take to capturing the little things around me on 35mm and medium format film. Over three years later, I’ve been able to put together some series that currently live on my website with hopes of making them into photo books in the future. If that ever comes to fruition, I’ll take a lot of pride in its creation.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?

No one should ever be a bigger fan of yourself besides you. We all go in and out of different phases in our lives and whether people stay or leave isn’t up to us. The best way you can be comfortable with those happenings is if you are okay with who you are and what you’re doing. And if you’re not that person yet, start now. You will never regret it, if it’s meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.connorgates.com/conspectus
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connorcantakeaphoto/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5m-oNECfwu3oAROEHhq6jQ