We were lucky to catch up with Marcellus Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marcellus , thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
I have been interested in art since middle school, specifically paintings, music, and cinema. I also had a strong fascination with pop culture, such as magazines and their photoshoots. Towards the end of high school, I started considering photography and design as potential career options. I believed that my unique vision and interests could help me excel in these fields, and I could be a valuable curator with an exceptional taste for art. Finally, I am thrilled to pursue a career that aligns with my childhood passion. In my senior year of high school, I decided to invest in a laptop and a camera, and now here I am.
Marcellus , 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?
I was born and raised in Greenville, NC, which is predominantly a college town. As a child, I was interested in music, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment, but I craved something deeper. I enjoyed exploring different genres of music and going through magazines and web blogs to read reviews on music, TV shows, movies, and more. I was confident that I had the best taste in these areas. I know it may sound annoying, but I was different from most people. I went to college and majored in Graphic Design & Advertising, graduating in 2022. Currently, I work as a freelancer in photography and graphic design. I specialize in portrait shoots, studio shoots, and event photography. For graphic design, I focus mainly on logo design, mockups, web design, and cover artwork. I can also do posters, flyers, menus, and brochures. Over the past year or so, I’ve been dabbling with videography. This ranges from assisting in shooting a video, video editing, and creative direction. My diverse taste and minimalistic yet deep and meaningful approach to these areas sets me apart from most people.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I find it incredibly rewarding to observe how people perceive and interpret my art. Whether I work on it alone or together with a team, I enjoy creating unique and thought-provoking details that can resonate with an audience. One of my aspirations is to be part of a project that is so grand and complex that there are video essays and college courses dedicated to it.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Many people fail to realize how difficult it is to create work that truly captivates an audience and surpasses that of their competitors. It is one thing to produce a piece of work that stands out, but crafting something that resonates with people for years is an incredibly challenging task. For example, a typical birthday photoshoot in a studio with good lighting might be considered nice, but a birthday photoshoot in a unique location with meaningful props can be talked about for years if executed properly. The same principle can be applied to all forms of art and media. Consider how many paintings from 300 to 400 years ago are still referenced today or how movies from decades ago remain culturally relevant, even more so than some movies released just a few months ago. As we grow older, we turn to these mediums to take a break from reality. I believe that if a piece of work fails to provide that temporary escape, then it has failed in its purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://knxwyourself.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knxwyourself/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcellus-smith-9794911b2/
Image Credits
Image Credits @que.films @valenciamadeit