We were lucky to catch up with Hunter Lacey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hunter, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I began my photography work without any formal training in the field. I had no idea what I was doing – I didn’t even know how to shoot on manual – I just knew that I loved making photographs. In the fall of 2020, I enrolled in the graduate program I am currently in studying photojournalism. I’ve grown a lot as a photographer simply through practicing, both in and out of school. Knowing what I know now, I wish I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself about my lack of technical skills at the beginning. So much of photography is just following your eye’s instinct. Photography is not about being a camera buff. I used to be embarrassed if I didn’t know the exact name of the lens I was using. My camera is a tool. It is one that I should be familiar enough with that I can confidently create photographs I’m proud of, but it is not the end-all-be-all of being a “real” photographer.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a photographer based in Dallas, Texas. I work on assignment for publications, I do portrait photography, and I work on long-term photo projects. I began working as a photographer in 2017 after working in marketing for a bit. When I began, I did mostly family portraits and seniors. I transitioned into the journalism world in 2018. My hope with my work is that each photograph I make is a true and honest account of the person I am photographing. I want to honor each person I photograph by doing their story justice.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
This is specific to photography, but I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a photographer or works with images. Hold Still by Sally Mann is maybe the most impactful non-fiction book I have read. I’ve read it twice now (going on three times soon) and every time, I take something new away. Even if you’re not a photographer, Sally’s story (and storytelling) is important and inspiring.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The moment when I make a picture that expresses what I was feeling at that time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hunterfolsom.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterfolacey/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterfolsom/

Image Credits
Hunter Lacey