Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Courtland Myles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Courtland, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

This is interesting because alot of people don’t know I signed to a talent management agency last year. In fact it’s one of the biggest creative agencies in America, based out of New York. I remember being so excited about the opportunity at first, but it was an unfortunate situation. The representative who reached out to me from
the company ended up leaving the company because there was alot going on behind the scenes that I had no idea of at the time. So months and months went by with nothing actually being produced from me signing, because they were revamping their whole company. and trying to rebrand themselves, so me and many other creatives ended up being shelved as if we weren’t priorities or cared for.

It was a humbling experience, but it was out of my control so I had to accept it for what it is. For a little while I told myself everything that was supposed to happen has happened, and me even signing was just affirmational to me my talent and creativity belongs. Its just a matter of right time and right fit. I’m no longer signed to an agency, but I appreciate the opportunity for what it was at the time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a photographer and creative director. I’ve developed a passion for telling stories and conveying messages a long time ago, since I was a little kid but over the pandemic is when I felt aligned to translate that into a visual sense. Creating a weapon out of a camera, I feel like its one of my superpowers to make people feel something or think about something in a new perspective by looking at a picture. I’m still trying to take up space in this world and prove myself right that I can do everything I envision for myself. I love the journey though.

One of my most proud feelings is being able to do this with so many of my friends. I’m very blessed and fortunate to have such a healthy circle around me where we all want similar things and we help each other get to new levels, by just being ourselves. Community is vital and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished individually and collectively. I’m proud lf myself for contributing to the creative rennassaince coming out of Baton Rouge. I’m proud of myself for accepting the responsibility of being a poster child for an entire city of Hammond, Louisiana.
In many instances, Im either the first example, the best example, or the ONLY example for many people of what it’s like to chase your dreams and achieve successes from such a small city. I’m trying to empower as many people as I can while I can

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I mentioned this in the last question, but there absolutely is a mission.I want to ignite creative programs and outlets for youth in Hammond and around Tangipihoa Parish all together. I want little kids to really understand this shit is possible as long as they believe it is. Life is limitless and its so easy to surrender your confidence because of other people’s projections onto you. I want to be accessible and reaourceful for anybody who needs me to be. I don’t want to be the only success story from my hometown. I actually want to build bridges and help cultivate relationships for people way down the line

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Connecting the dots from your very first idea to seeing it in real life time as a finished product. Building something from scratch and actually liking what you created is a special feeling. The two immediate things after that is just having people be touched and inspired by your art. I express myself however I choose to and somewhere, somebody resonates with it so much they feel the need to express how it’s impacted them or moved them.

Then the last thing would be creating and maintaining a lifestyle where you can make a living off of all of this.
Being paid to express myself and create art is the goal          

Contact Info:

• Website: www.courtlandmyles.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtlandgalore
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/courtlandgalore

Image Credits
Arum Joseph @arumj_ he took the one photograph of me, I photographed all of the other pictures