Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rob Alston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rob, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success requires tenacity and grit. An unwavering belief that you not only can achieve anything you want, but the belief that you deserve it as well. You have to be willing to do things you may not find pleasure in. You have to know how to set and maintain boundaries with your time and energy. You have to have a sense of self awareness and accountability to be vulnerable enough to know your weaknesses and be brave enough to face those challenges head on. You need a strong “why” to get you through when times get tough.

Most importantly, you need a good tribe. Your support system can either make or break you so be mindful of those you allow access to your energy.

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 began as a portrait photographer in Maryland, back in 2011. Through the years, I have aspired to push myself beyond my own limits to become a well-rounded creative in many mediums. As I took on more expansive projects, I developed additional skills including videography, graphic design, and web design. In 2023, I moved to Houston for the opportunity to work as Creative Director for a full-time content creator.

As Creative Director I’m responsible for the entire creative workflow: conceptualization, location scouting, sourcing supplies, managing budgets, set design, storyboarding, shooting & filming, post-production workflows, and content distribution. Since I’m the first at the company to fill this role, I also aid in developing the written processes and workflows for future creative roles, ensuring efficiency as we scale the business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My career has been defined by many pivots. I’ve transitioned from serving to medical scheduling, to freelance marketing and photography, to banking, to graphic design, and finally to a Creative Director role, all while indulging in other creative passions and developing new skills on the side.

However, my most recent transition into the Creative Director role has been the most interesting pivot. It was a major switch that allowed me to seamlessly integrate my diverse skill sets, and my focus within this position is constantly evolving.

My client brought me onto her team during a period of tremendous growth, aiming not only to maintain but to scale that growth. We consistently utilize her social media analytics to pivot every 2-3 months as the social media landscape changes. Sometimes my role requires more photoshoots than video; other times, it’s the opposite. Occasionally, we shift from focusing on short-form content to long-form content, or we might concentrate less on generating new content and more on transforming the way a portion of her content business is run. These rapid pivots have been challenging but also exciting, allowing me to grow exponentially over the past year.

Mastering the art of the pivot has been an invaluable skill, setting me up for success in all areas of my life. Embracing change can be an exciting and rewarding adventure if you lean into it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Creative career paths are rarely linear, especially in competitive fields. While it may seem like we know exactly what we want to do and how to achieve it, in reality, we’re all figuring it out as we go. Our life’s work involves overcoming obstacles on a continuous journey of self-discovery. I believe that if non-creatives can understand this, they’ll find it relatable because it’s a fundamental aspect of human nature. The most beautiful part is that, with intention, we can all manifest whatever we want for ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alstoimaging.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatyeastt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralston1/