We were lucky to catch up with Erik Martez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erik, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

So this is a good question as I’m still in process. I initially was only going to be a food and product photographer. I was afraid to work with people you see. However I soon realized it was pretty much the same creative process and I tried some ideas on myself. After gaining a bit of confidence in my skills I reached out to more people to practice on. That experience and confidence helped me see that I really do know what I’m doing. I’ve been in what I call “lite business” for about a year and a half. I just recently decided to go into more creative portrait work this year. I’ve already had a bit of an online presence and regular clients but I only now pushing my brand and business into this direction. My current focus has been to solidify my business knowledge so I can keep things professional and on the up and up with uncle Sam. It’s a slow process but one I’m glad for as it allows me to grow and learn at a steady pace.

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 am, what I have dubbed myself, a serial creative. I’ve dabbled in illustration, graphic design, music, culinary, and now photography. A surprising number of the skills crossover and I try to incorporate everything I’ve learned into my work. 1 Lite Studio offers portrait work catered towards those of more imaginative minds. Traditional photography work isn’t off the table but we like to bring the subject in on the creative process to produce fun and unique experiences. 1 Lite likes to emphasize and show that EVERYONE is a creative and you don’t have to be a model or superstar to have a dope and extravagant photoshoot.
I’m most proud that some of my work has gone on to be published, book and magazine. It was never my intention to enter that space of photography, but it’s nice. I just want to make dope art. I’m most happy and in my element when clients bring me an interesting concept to bring to life. So if you, the one reading, have some cool ideas, get with me ASAP.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn is the market/scene/etc is saturated and it’s hard to make a name for yourself. Thats just untrue. There are plenty of opportunities out for all of us to make it. The problem comes when we all try to do the exact same thing the exact same way following the trends. Not everyone’s road will be a fast track and not everyone’s road will reach the clouds but there room from us all. I’ve made it my mission kind of to seek out other photographers and creatives to see if we can combine forces and talents rather than compete. The truth is we all have our strengths. It makes more sense for me to recommend a client to another photographer that specializes in elopement rather than spreading myself thin across so many genres. On the flip if someone wants a fantastical digital composite it’d make sense for that same photographer to send them my way. Cooperation over competition.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It may sound silly as a business owner but i just want to make dope art. I want to share that feeling of creating something that came from your own head with as many people as possible. Sure I want to make a living and provide for myself and family but I’m content with that and sharing my gifts. My end goal is to empower people who don’t believe they can be creative and help mentor a new generation of dynamic thinkers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.1litestudio.com
• Instagram: @1litestudio
• Facebook: @1litestudio
• Twitter: @1litestudio