We recently connected with Loki Martin and have shared our conversation below.

Loki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The most significant changes in my life came with the pandemic, as I’m sure it did for all of us. I come from a family of tradesmen. My grandfather and uncle both run the family HVAC business. Pre-pandemic I was a worker bee, a skilled one, but a worker bee nonetheless. A single father that worked 45-60 hours a week religiously. Not out of necessity, but out of habit. I grew up watching my mother work her way from a sales associate to a Master of Nursing, never taking her foot off the gas. Even to this day, she works her butt off to remain our family’s matriarch. And I found myself unintentionally taking part in that same ideology. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having a role model with an amazing work ethic, everything I ever had is due to my mom’s sacrifice. Yet, at some point, life started to wear down on me. The time I missed with my son, failed previous relationships, lack of interest in pursuing my personal goals, and so on.

I spent 2017, 18, 19, 20, and 21, fighting to secure a scholarship with the IBEW. I passed all of my tests, scored 92 or better on 3 consecutive interviews, and landed a non-union electrical apprentice job which i worked for quite some time. Had I stuck with that career, I’d be making 6 figures easy when all was said and done. But once everything shut down, I had no one to reliably tend to my son, his mother was non-existent and my family was either terrified of the virus or working as essential workers. Which forced me to sit down for a while, spend tons of time with my son, pursue my passion for film, and even make a bit of money from it in the process. Did it touch 6 figures? Not yet, but I found myself, my son, and most importantly our mental health in much better shape than it was previously. But you know the world, it tests you. Your resolve, and commitment. Not long after, I received an offer from the IBEW after a 4 year waiting period, and I swallowed my pride to become a union apprentice. Not without complication, since I still lacked proper childcare, but I did my best to make it work for as long as I could. Immediately after 6 months, I felt stuck and unfulfilled. I felt like the worst person, son, and father. Why? Because I exchanged my time for money and often prioritized work over my child’s best interests and my own creative fulfillment, albeit unintentionally. How did I respond? One day, while at work, I came across the Eprod program. For some inexplicable reason, I dropped everything and had an out-of-the-blue conversation with my current instructor, Mark Bergner. He described a program that excited me, and everything I wished to grow into I could see clearly becoming a reality. Despite me doing well in my electrical classes I had to choose. Electrical, or Production. Comfortability with a safety net, or happiness with a passion. One steep leap of faith later. Ultimately, I chose the latter, despite what was recommended. And ever since, the world has been making a way for me, I’ve been to places I’ve never been, worked with people I never would have come across, and found a new attitude toward the concept that is work. I may not be as wealthy as I once was, but I’ve never been happier and more focused. And one day, I have the potential to make back every dollar I’ve missed. They say you’ll never work a day in your life doing what you love. I wholeheartedly believe that. During the pandemic my life made a complete 180. 2 years later I’m an Eprod student with a 4.0, not to brag, but some would say the top of my class. And I’m extremely proud of that, humbled, but most importantly, I’m IN love with what I do. Plus, I graduate in 1 week!

Do you know what I learned? Everybody in life has a choice, and if you don’t make a choice, someone else will make it for you.

My largest risk came when I left My electrical apprenticeship to become a full-time creator.

One of the best decisions of my life.

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 Cinematographer that has a degree in Electronic production. I got into this industry when the pandemic took a major toll on the world.

I offer all things video although I dent to shoot cinematic weddings and short films the most to maintain my business.

I produce quality content for my client to use as marketing material to attract new customers, I also carve significant moments in their lives into metaphorical stones, to be relived over and over.

I want everyone to know that I truly love what I do, everyday I inch closer and closer to my dreams.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic started I had to make a huge choice and pivot from electrical work that paid very well to creative work that was more fulfilling, yet much harder to monetize without a business mindset. After said pivot, I am the happiest I’ve ever been, working towards building a larger production company to pass on to my young ones. never give up, chase the goals that seem far out of reach, you will be surprised what you can do.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I really wish I would have reached out to my local business building resources earlier and taken advantage of the knowledge they are giving away in droves. So many shortcuts and tips that could have saved me headaches as a business owner.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lifelikecamera.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/lokithehypesoul

Image Credits
@Lifshoots(Headshot)