We recently connected with Tristin Lennert and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tristin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

We are all creative, everything around us is a creation touched by someone, and all one has to do is find a passion, plant a seed, tend to your creative garden, and let the universe do the rest. The hard part that often contradicts the creative process is entrepreneurship. The insurmountable act of defying the status quo of the 9-5 dread of corporate America. There is no how-to on earning a full-time living from your creative work but it starts with believing you can and understanding some of the key concepts on how to place yourself in a position to both thrive as a creative and entrepreneur.

I have only ever worked one “Real Job” as a cashier in a large retail store, I lived in the anticipated horror of my shift in the silly vest I dawned each day. So it was no surprise that the day after I made my first dollar with a camera I took what I coined as a “forever lunch” and fully committed to my life as a creative. Maybe it was the high of someone paying me to do what I loved or maybe it was simply being 17 and naive. Whatever it was I haven’t looked back.

The journey hasn’t always been smooth and by no means do I have it all figured out but I have a sneaking suspicion that no one truly does and if they tell you they do, run. I have found a few things to be true in the last five years of this adventure. Take these with a grain of salt and remember there is no such thing as rules as a creative only observations to be followed or broken. Take what you want and leave what you don’t.

1) Start Now: Often I heard students say “When I graduate” This logic never sat right with me, I wanted to create now, I’m by no means saying take a forever lunch from your 9-5 but get out there, with whatever gear or tools you have and create. Many of my first clients came from relationships I already had or from just being so vocal about what I was doing. Stur up your local pot and create a buzz about your work.

2) Be Wary of Higher Education: I decided to pursue a degree in Commercial Photography and learned very quickly that the professors had been out of the industry for a very long time and often were so out of touch that their advice was ill-advised. Telling a class full of bright-eyed budding creatives to go and advertise in the newspaper and radio over social media and the internet, you get the point. There is so much to be learned in the halls of academia but remember to take all advice as only that. I like to replace the would “Should” with “Could” in my mind each time I am advised to do something. This helps to remind me that I am forging my own path.

3) Surround Yourself with People Who Are Where You Want to Be: Some of the times I have felt most empowered is when I am in a room where I am surrounded by creatives I admire. The air is just teaming with possibility and support. Finding local clubs, groups, mentors, or coaches will provide you with limitless growth. Understand that no one is your sole competition and it is more powerful to have friendships than competitors. Being creative can be lonely in the absence of the office water cooler so make friends who are where you want to go.

4) Do not Compare Yourself to Others: Often it is easy to look out into the universe and see successful people and wonder why it wasn’t your work or brand that blew up. The truth I have observed is those people and brands burn out. Yes, success is great but can also be damaging if you grow faster than you are prepared for. Be intentional with your growth and understand how strong a wall is if it has been built brick by brick instead of one large board. Instead focus on your work, strategies, connections, and your wins. You will be happier and more productive.

5) Do not say No: You will never feel prepared for anything and when you start to feel prepared that is when you will make a mistake, When you are asked to do something or create something that makes you feel uncomfortable it is detrimental that you say yes. All skills can be learned, and all tools can be bought or made, but opportunities, are things the universe doesn’t give out in abundance. I have made massive leaps and made powerful connections by just avoiding the word No. This doesn’t mean not to have boundaries or taking on a client you can’t serve but if you haven’t photographed a specific subject or have never worked in video then why waste the chance to learn. We live in an age where everything is one keystroke away.

6) Dress For The Job You Want: I work primarily as a Wedding Photographer, I have seen vendors dress in all kinds of ways but I can tell you without a fact I always remember the best-dressed vendors as well as the worst. Dressing for the job, title, or position you desire will create an impact on those around you. A testament to this is about 4 years ago I photographed at a venue for the first time and I came in a suit as I typically do. The venue owner was so impressed that to this day my company is the first on their recommendation list as well as the photography company for their all-inclusive package, all before ever seeing the work I produce. I have made countless dollars for simply dressing above the rest.

7) Challenge Yourself To Do Hard Things: I learned this lesson by becoming a Soldier, something I accredit a lot of my success to. Your mind and body are capable of more than you give yourself credit. Push yourself to be better each day. Maintain your earthly vessel, both in body, mind, and spirit. I like to do something each day for all three of these. I believe it gives me the ability in hard times to reflect on what I have overcome and how I will overcome my current predicament. Training these will also aid in self-discipline, a critical aspect of being your own boss
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8) Learn Every Day: The information age has created endless possibilities for professional and creative growth. Everything is at your fingertips. The endless knowledge of those who came before you and those currently on the journey. Read, listen to podcasts, and audiobooks, watch videos, and talk to real people. Most of this is free and will be far more impactful than scrolling on your social media. I have found a love for business books and now enjoy entrepreneurship almost as much as I do my art.

9) Learn Everything You Can About Yourself: Often the mind of a creative is different, although everyone is creative it takes a special section of your mind to be open to hearing what the world around you is saying. Many creatives struggle with similar issues because our minds are open in this way. I’ve seen many creatives fail because they did not know their mind well enough or tried to fight themselves. For me, it was being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult that opened my eyes to how I was self-sabotaging my own career and life. Once I better understood myself (something I work towards each day) I became so much for productive and happy.

These are only concepts and can be interpreted however you might need to hear them. Understand that what you create is inherently beautiful. There is no checklist to being able to earn a living with your art. It would be too easy if there was. Your path is unique and that is what gives your work value, it is a cumulation of everything you have learned, overcome, and achieved to get to this point in your journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

First and foremost I am a husband to an incredible wife to pushes me every day and excitedly a new father! I am also a full-time Photographer, Soldier, and lover of all things caffeinated. I am so blessed to live in Asheville, NC.

I work primarily as a wedding photographer where I get to capture one of the most important days in every love story. I am so thankful to get to serve amazing couples each year. Service is what is foremost on my mind for everyone who comes to me. I love making incredible photographs but I also thrive on providing a positive experience for clients, I am always improving on my experience and adding to it. I think this service-focused mindset is what sets me apart. I am by no means a fly on the wall on a wedding day. I am part of the memory, I’m there to laugh and cry with you as a friend. As a vendor, I am there to have a solution for every crazy thing that can pop up on a wedding day and there is a lot, I’ve sewn more times than I can count, delivered countless morning coffees, been called the Mary Poppins of weddings for how many things fit in my pockets, and from time to time I’ve been known to be the bad guy so I can get couples a moment of privacy without that really involved aunt. Each wedding I get to capture my goal is to create stunning images but also to provide a lasting positive memory for couples.

I fell into weddings by assisting wedding photographers first (Something I highly suggest if you are interested in working as a wedding photographer, it shows you what you love and hate about each one) I have now been able to serve my own couples for going on my 5th year now! I wouldn’t trade my career for anything.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I believe there is so much untapped knowledge just floating in the universe. Some of the resources that have impacted me deeply are:

Books:
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, This book is broken into 78 areas of thought and is the creative manifesto if there ever was one.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer: This book profoundly touched me, it somehow validated my burning belief in myself and my own passion.

Podcast:
The Photographic Collective by Miles Witt Boyer is a creative podcast about how to serve people as well as grow a creative brand.

Poets:
Trev Cimenski is a new-age poet who I feel has an innate ability to find deep emotion in mundane acts and items.

Some other works that often inspire me are paintings, music, and the world around me.

There is so much to be taken in by your surroundings. I find a lot of my inspiration sitting and observing the world, people, interactions, and animals, and just listening to everything around me.

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

The by far most rewarding thing about being a creative is the people it brings into my life. I have been so blessed to be impacted by so many incredible creatives, business people, and clients. They leave just as much of an imprint on me as I do on their journey if not more. I find that our world has lost a lot of its humanity so people are very surprised when they hop on a call and are just talked to, not sold to or interrogated, I love the moment when I make a couple feel served and appreciated.

Cameras can be so intimidating for people and for good reason it is entirely unnatural. I get so much from someone saying I made them feel comfortable.

Contact Info:

• Website: tlphotography.co
• Instagram: @tristin.lennert
• Facebook: tlphotographyNC

Image Credits
Tristin Lennert TL Photography