We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Issac Alford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Issac thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up, in my high school years, I did not know what I wanted to do so I enrolled in Video Productions for my elective. I first thought it would be boring because it was bookwork and very repetitive until we started using a tiny film camera to make commercials and other projects. I soon realized it piqued my interest so I continued to take video productions for the last three duration years of high school. During that time, I had won three district awards for short films and realized I am good at what I do. So continuing on through college I had the plan to get my degree in Fine Arts and/or Film and go into the film industry, in Hollywood. I started my business up under issac alford productions and I dreamed of working for a big company such as Disney, Universal, Sony, etc. and it took one class to change once again what I want to do for my career path. Photography. When I first started I did not really know how to work my camera manually, I had only ever used automatic so it was a rough start for me. But by the end of the semester, I feel I had grown tremendously in my work and even started booking side gigs in the meantime. Showing my work and seeing my growth had really inspired me to realize my worth and continue to pursue this industry, taking it seriously and why would I not want to be happy in a job I have a passion for rather than being stuck somewhere where I don’t want to be?

Issac, 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?

My name is Issac Alford, I am twenty-one years old and I am an aspiring photographer and cinematographer. At nineteen years old, I created my own image and business around my passion and what I love to do, take pictures and create short films. I offer various services such as photoshoots and video promotion for any special occasion or events such as weddings, birthdays, headshots, fashion shots, promo for merchandise and businesses, and to really capture milestones for my clientele. I have invested in my business and my studio and create unique photographs involving color, positioning, and in a whole different style than other artists. I believe I am highly meticulous about my work and really take my time and listen to what my client wants to convey to their audience, family, social media, and make their idea come to life. I am a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and really value and have compassion for people who want to share their stories with me and convey that to my audience as well. I make sure with every client that they are in a safe space and should feel comfortable and confident in how they look regardless of age, gender, or size. I love to lift my models up and help them carry and thrive on their confidence because I believe everyone is beautiful and deserves nothing but positivity and self-love.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist in photography is the smile and positive feedback from my clientele. When I finish with a shoot and send my client the edited final photographs, hearing how happy and satisfied with my work they are, pushes me to continue pursuing it and makes me appreciate my work ethic even more. I thrive on positive and negative feedback I get from my clients, family, and friends, which whom I have an enormous support system. It makes me appreciate the art of creating something out of the norm and how far I can push myself to capture photography on a different level.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe in society children are not exposed to the artistic world until college, they only have a general education in arts. A way more artists can be shown more appreciation is children being exposed earlier in education, it would impact society by having an idea of advantages like careers in the arts. In most schools in the U.S. budgets are being cut from music programs, drama, and art in painting, and sculpting. It should be held in the same regard as core subjects so there would be more of an appreciation of those things. A way society can become more supportive is to appreciate all arts and should be recognized more than being ill-regarded as a hobby rather than a career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.issacalfordproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alford_productions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/issacalfordproductions
• Other: Digital Business Card: https://mycrd.is/issacalfordproductions

Image Credits
Alexander Gonzalez Alexis Alford Leyara Alford Megan Westfall Kylie Truscott Jasmine Carter