We recently connected with Lucas Essman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I think people misunderstand me when they only look at the surface. I present myself in a polished way, so some assume I have it all figured out or that I am trying to be someone I am not. The truth is that everything I do comes from growth, not performance. I have been through a lot, and I am just trying to build something meaningful out of that experience.

There have been times when I was mischaracterized because of the environments I was in and the people I surrounded myself with. When you are going through things or acting from survival instead of clarity, you can come off in ways that do not reflect who you really are. I had moments like that. I reacted too fast, trusted the wrong people, and let frustration speak for me. It taught me how easily people can get the wrong impression if you are not grounded.

The biggest thing I learned is that being misunderstood does not have to define you. You can always clarify who you are through your choices, your behavior, and the way you show up over time. That is what I focus on now, and it is what I am proud of.

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 model, content creator, and writer based in Phoenix. I actually got started in a really simple way. When I was younger my mom would take pictures of me on whatever little adventure we were on, whether it was Sedona, downtown Phoenix, or anywhere we happened to go. Most of the time the photos were from behind because I did not want to show my face. I never thought modeling was something I would end up doing. I grew up as the fat kid, and for a long time I thought I was too ugly to be on camera. So the idea that this would ever become part of my life did not even cross my mind.

Over time I got more comfortable. I started becoming intentional with how I posed and how I showed up. Eventually I realized I liked the creative side of it just as much as being in the photo. I enjoy shaping the mood, the direction, and the feeling behind an image instead of just standing there.

My work leans toward a raw, slightly grungy, editorial style. I like images that feel lived-in and emotional, not overly polished or staged. I am drawn to texture, mood, and honesty. I try to make sure everything I create reflects where I am in my life rather than trying to fit a perfect aesthetic. I plan my shoots, put together my own concepts, and build my brand from the ground up. What sets me apart is that my work comes from growth, not performance. I am not trying to play a character. I am trying to show something real.

I am most proud of the fact that everything I have built so far has been self-made. No industry shortcuts, no connections, just consistency, learning, and a lot of trial and error. My brand is personal to me. It represents change, discipline, and the idea that you can rebuild yourself into someone you respect. What I hope people take from my work is that you can reinvent yourself at any point, and that there is strength in being honest about your journey.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that illustrates my resilience is the period where I had to completely rebuild myself. A few years ago I hit a point where everything in my life felt out of control. I was surrounded by people who were not good for me, I had unhealthy habits, and I kept reacting to situations instead of taking charge of my life. I did not recognize the person I was becoming, and that scared me. It was the first time I realized that no one was coming to save me. If I wanted a different life, I had to be the one to change it.

What shifted everything was choosing to face myself honestly. I took a step back from the noise and started working on my health, my mindset, and my discipline. I had to learn how to say no, how to walk away from certain environments, and how to hold myself accountable even when it was uncomfortable. There were moments where I felt alone or questioned if the effort was worth it, but I kept going. Every small decision started adding up. Little by little, I began to rebuild my confidence, my stability, and my direction.

The biggest lesson I took from that time is that resilience is not loud. It is not dramatic. It is not some big motivational moment. It is choosing, every single day, to do the harder thing instead of the familiar one. It is deciding you deserve better even before you fully believe it. That mindset changed everything for me. It taught me that you can overcome almost anything as long as you are willing to be honest with yourself and stay consistent. That is the part of my journey I am most proud of.

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

A major pivot in my life was learning to speak up for myself and stop hiding my opinions to keep the peace. For a long time I stayed quiet because I did not want to deal with conflict or be judged for thinking differently. I would downplay what I believed or let things slide just to avoid upsetting people. It felt easier in the moment, but over time it chipped away at my confidence.

The real turning point came when I realized silence was not neutrality. It was self abandonment. I watched people celebrate things that went against my values, and I felt myself shrinking to fit into spaces that were not aligned with who I am. I reached a point where I could not do that anymore. I made the decision to speak honestly, even if it meant certain people would not like it. It was uncomfortable at first, but it taught me something important. You cannot build a real life or brand on a watered down version of yourself.

Pivoting into authenticity changed everything for me. I became more grounded, more confident, and more respected because people could finally see who I actually am. It reminded me that having a voice matters, and that being true to yourself will always attract the right people and repel the wrong ones. That is a trade I am willing to make every time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/lucasessman
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasessman

Image Credits

Photographer: Loraine DeMaria