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

Hi Chauncey, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My best advice for anyone who is wanting to do anything, is simply try. Put in the effort daily to practice and you will get better. Eliminate the idea of comparing yourself to the next person and just focus on you. I was my biggest crutch when it came to learning. I spent so much time overthinking everything I was doing, I made the process so much harder than it was. If I would have asked more people for help and practices the basics to learning photography. I was so motivated to just skip the process, and it was really what I needed for me to be my best version.

Chauncey, 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?

I’m really a simply individual. I just have a high appreciation for art. I started drawing and taking pictures as a hobby when I was younger, but I didn’t take it as serious. That came with people telling me you can’t make any money as an artist. So the idea of me doing something I enjoyed died. I started photography just because it made me happy when I was younger. Plus I knew what it was like to work a miserable, so why not do something you like.

As a grew as a photography I was really drawn to natural fashion editorial shoots. The images I studied from other photographers were so much different from the photographers in my environment. That’s what I wanted my work to look like, and that’s what I strived for. Over the years as I grew more as a photographer, I gained a huge clientele just from doing what I love. What I learned the most is simply. Pursue the things that make you feel alive. We all have purpose and passion for something. When people see you happy doing something you love, they will navigate towards your energy.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The emotional feeling of being present and alive. You don’t have to worry about strain of others, you can simply just create what makes you happy.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Finding a mentor that is suitable for you. I thought I had to learn and do everything by myself. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help from others. It is nothing new under sun, and we all are here to help each other.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chaunceymangum.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chauncey.mangum

Image Credits
Katara Lorraine, Kenish Coleman, Porcelan, Jaylon Ford, DoeBoy, Destiney Williams