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

Sawyer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

Three years ago I started making an annual mood board. It contains lists of the work I’ve loved making, the type of jobs I like, and artists I admire. This practice helped me find focus and direction where I have previously felt scattered and aimless. I revisit my mood boards regularly and use them to gauge, year-by-year, whether I am generally making work that aligns with my larger goals or if my dreams have shifted.

If I could go back in time, I would have started making mood boards 10 years earlier. In the early years of honing your craft, finding your voice and what interests you, a visual representation can help sort your thoughts and see your end goal more clearly.

Sawyer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a filmmaker and photographer: part-artist, part-journalist, part-entrepreneur.

In many ways, these disciplines found me. My father and grandfather are meticulous in their documentation of family memories, especially through photography, video, and writing. I picked up the camera at a young age and have not put it down since.

My family also heavily influenced me to start my own business. Growing up, almost all of the adults in my life were business owners, and I aspired to work hard like them to build a venture. While most children played house, I played “Fort, Inc.” I sat in my blanket fort with a calculator crunching fake numbers and scheming business plans.

Today, I work primarily on short films and photography. I conduct a mix of my own projects for clients and “work for hire.” I also always have at least one personal project simmering on the backburner.

My multi-disciplinary background as a photojournalist and visual artist informs my approach to projects. As photojournalists, we’re trained to extract beauty from any situation. My work does not shy away from difficult topics; I most enjoy projects that focus on women’s health and social justice. I specialize in filming verite scenes, often in sensitive situations. In many cases, it’s my job to make those in front of the camera feel comfortable.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

One of the largest and most beneficial purchases I’ve made for my business is a cinema camera kit. I kept this goal in mind while working as a production assistant and set aside 10% of my net income towards a gear/education fund (a practice I continue to do today). Once I saved enough for a small camera kit with a bare bones rig, I purchased it and rented anything else I needed for specific jobs. The camera paid itself off within one year.

My rule of thumb: do not buy an expensive piece of equipment unless it can ultimately make money back for you. You’ll acquire investments rather than purchases.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of my discipline is gaining access to a breadth of experiences and the incredible people I meet along the way.

My work has led me to farms, factories, concerts, warehouses, protests, schools, hospitals, caves, mountains, boats, shelters, theaters, courtrooms, homes, and countless other memorable places. Those are the moments that make me think “I love my job.” The friends I have made and stories I have heard by way of these projects are priceless to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sawyerroque.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawyer_roque/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawyerroque

Image Credits

Sawyer Smith Roque, Breanna Denney, Sam Vladimirski, Emmanuel Roque Perez