We recently connected with Omar Lockhart and have shared our conversation below.

Omar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

When I started getting into photography, the looming question was ‘What do I want to show people who view it?’ That question took a long time to answer, through trial and error, but I concluded that my photography is an expression of myself and how I see the world around me. My vision is that I focus on nostalgia; places, memories, and people that make up this space around us. Life, day to day, could be mundane as we go through ups and downs, but I think the beauty of it is that we should take the chance to slow down and honor the small things. I believe they are important because it is our foundation of our life, every single day.

As I work on creative projects and clients, I look to identify the small things. Emotions, comfortability, humor, passion. This is only part of what drives people to be who they are. Through my work, I look to honor these aspects of myself and others. More importantly, how it can inspire us to be more of ourselves. Real. True. That is what my mission is through my photography.

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?

Hello everyone, I’m Omar and I’m a photographer and videographer based from Philadelphia. I’ve been in the industry of photography for 2 years, this being my second. The one moment that made me realize that this was one of my passions was when I made my first behind-the-scenes video for a photo shoot I had in 2022. I was absolutely astounded by the quality of work I created, even as a beginner. It made me want to gain more technique, skills, and research how to make the storytelling aspect pop up in my work more.

My areas of focus are creative portrait photography and brand photography. With creative portraits, I am able to capture the creative vision, not only from my mind, but from the imagination of others I collaborate with, let it be models, photographers, etc. In the brand photography aspect, I focus on social media marketing of a client’s business or product. I conduct SWOT analyses of the client’s website and social media to understand their niche, audiences, and create marketable content that best suits their business or product.

What sets me apart from most is that, when I work with clients ( both creative and professional ) I want to understand their frame of mind when having the ideas that they have or did to get to the point to where they are at that given moment. I try to see how their projects or aspirations relate to themselves, their passion, and their mission. I like to bring a сalm and collected approach, to give space for vulnerability and a chance to be heard. I believe that is what’s needed to invoke growth in every situation. The work I create are pieces of myself as much as they are pieces of others.

One achievement this year, was my first brand shoot with a local business in Philadelphia called Mystical Treasures. The owner, Eva, who focused on wrapped crystal jewelry, was highly pleased with the quality of work that was being delivered. From picking and choosing of the jewelry being used, how it complimented skin tones to the models, the makeup being used. Every little aspect had been reached in the allotted time. This level of work was able to be accomplished not only by myself, but also by the creative team that was put together for this one goal. And I thank them gratefully.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is that I work hard in creating the visions I make for myself and others. I take pride in the passion that I bring to the table as a creator and I hope to have them experience that.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience was no easy task. It came together when I created my current project, Rule of 3rds. The focus on the first year of the project was building oneself from different aspects of life while doing minor projects, connecting those teachings. The current year was more about each teaching and topic in detail with more minor projects. My advice throughout this time was to be honest and vulnerable with yourself when telling your story. Everyone, believe it or not, is looking for genuine connection in this world. The best way to show up is as yourself with your goal and passion in mind. That will build your presence. Remember to have fun and let your personality shine out as you network and create new stories for yourself.

Understanding your niche, audience and market is also very important as well. They will help guide you forward and towards more growth on any and every platform even outside of social media.

Remember to be congruent with yourself as well. Show up for yourself and your growth consistently.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My particular goal driving my creative journey is actively looking for peace and excitement in every little situation that I do. Life is definitely chaotic so when I want to create something new, I have to look in other places that are less traveled or less sought out and seeing the beauty in those things. To have gratitude in the fact of having this new idea from this new place I traveled to, new information I came across, new concept that is starting to take root, etc. That is what pushes me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://omarlockhart.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laughing_creed/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/omar-lockhart-218790ba

Image Credits

1. Anna – @ehnxhh
2. Yash – @tellemyash
3. Heta – @hetafofeta
4. Vernessa – @jawn.cat
5. Ophelia – @_ophiladelphia_
7. Jere – @omgitsjere_