We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Terry Lamar (Sk8luv33). We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Terry below.

Alright, Terry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I believe that journey started when my mom found me drawing cartoons on random pieces of school paper. From there, she worked with the nearest school seeking out a program which were geared toward art students. At the time, the school had a program funded by warner brothers (WB). I was excited about going to the program but lately discovered my talents were not into the animation sector.

It took some time, years later before I came into the realization that I wanted to facilitate the artistic gift through filming and not drawing. Around 2008-09, I pursed music producing heavily, and then later on around 2010, one of my producer friend name Byron asked me to take some photo/video of the trips we were making back and forth from birmingham, al to atlanta, ga – sort of a documentary style being that we were networking with other talents in the city. At the time, I was messing around with photoshoots here and there but nothing too serious.

The drive and ambition got ignited, I was hooked to my camera at the time Canon T3 Rebel. From there, I upgraded to a Canon 7d. Some time, had past I officially moved from birmingham, al to atlanta, ga. I had a few years of networking and landing photgraphy/videography gigs here and there. After while, I hit some really hard times and I put my passion on pause for a little while to enroll in IT School – Herzing University. At this time, I was in a serious relationship which later turned into marriage. After about 4 years, the marriage hit some really rough patches and it came to an end. During, that time I had sold all of my camera gear previous owned to focus on the marriage, job and etc.

Fast Forward, the pandemic hit was a big turning point for me. Somehow, those tragic times reminded me why I moved to atlanta, ga. I didn’t move here to pursue an IT career, I moved here to pursue a career in my artistic crafts – cinemagraphy/film & music production. During this time, for some reason all I could think about was rollerskating so I went various skate sessions in atlanta, ga. After some time, I decided to film some of the fellow skaters that I would see from week to week. When the pandemic hit, Atlanta, Ga roller skating rinks were still open partially so I kept filming.

From there, you can say my platform blew up over night and from there opportunities started to open up (see linktree). I never that this would happen this way into where both of my gifts videography and music would be highlighted at the same time. The Sk8luv33 brand definitely has broaden my creative talents and gifts.

Terry, 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?

How you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc?

I will say I was introduced to the photography/videography earlier in my life in high school /college days. In todays time, social media platforms like Instagram & Youtube give the exposure of our talents to the next level. These are excellent tools to use as a vehicle to sky rocket your brand. It takes alot of self-discipline when you don’t have a team but after much diligence, it paid off in the long run.

What type of products/services/creative works you provide?

My services/creative work are videography, cinematography & music production in general. In the skate community, I’m a skate video journalist who produce skate music as well.

What problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others?

I believe one of the things that set me apart from other videographers is that I focus on making sure everyone feels like they are apart of the show, meaning everyone is somebody no matter their skillset.

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

My goal or mission is for the entertainment industry as whole to include the roller skate community in more opportunities. We are appreciative of the ones that come our way but often times it only happen when there’s a fad or phase. It’s not looked into the same light as other sports like basketball or football. I know its not the same but for us, rollerskating is a life style and a-lot of us make a living from it. In addition, that this sport is an awesome stress reliever and therapy.

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?

I’ve learned the life of an entrepreneur and a life a 9 to 5 worker are two different life styles. Being an entrepreneur requires the individual to make countless risk and sacrifices for a dream or vision that in most situations, they are the ones who only see it. After some time, you begin to see the fruits of your labor but it sure takes a while. I believe it’s designed to work out that way to truly test you to see if you really want it.

When someone makes to the other side of success, people have no idea the hard times & motions the individual had to go through in order to get there. There were plenty times when I thought of giving up but couldn’t because I had put so much time into it. And plus, I feel like if I quit, I would have been quitting on God – The Most High. And I couldn’t do it because he chose me first and he never gave up on me. If you’re not ready to give up everything as far as a comfort zone or support base then you may be cut out for this journey, it’s not for the faint at heart. It truly requires a great deal of self-discipline, drive, ambition, faith and etc to stay in the race. The human mind & body is a brilliant master piece that has unlimited potentials, the only limitations are what we put on ourselves. I’ll end with this last note, remember to always keep God first and he will direct your path – Proverbs 3:6.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Sk8luv33, https://linktr.ee/Sk8luv33films, https://linktr.ee/l.elemen247,
• Instagram: @sk8luv33, @sk8luv33films, @l.elemen247,
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sk8luv33.fb/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Sk8luv33
• Other: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@sk8luv33films Linktree – https://linktr.ee/Sk8luv33 Linktree – https://linktr.ee/Sk8luv33films Linktree – https://linktr.ee/l.elemen247

Image Credits
Sk8luv33 Logo (Image created by me) Diggin’ in the Crates Logo (Image created by Kevin Y. @truthhurts0813 on Instagram)