We were lucky to catch up with Zachary Lefevre recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Zachary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I started my photo business by simply making an Instagram handle. It started as Flipside Photo and I really had no idea how deep I would go into the creative arts. After deepening my connection to photography I began to realize it was something I wanted to invest more of my energy into. Gig after gig I continued learning. I learned better editing techniques. I became more efficient. I eventually branched out from photography to also include video and drone services. It was at this time I felt I needed to rebrand from Flipside Photo to something new. Something that would represent more of the services I had to offer, but also a brand that was aligned with my new vision.
After a few weeks of brainstorming, I landed on Six Degrees Creative. The idea stems from the Six Degrees of Separation explaining that everyone in the world is connected through no more than six intermediaries. Reflecting on my creative journey, connecting with people was always at the core of it all. Connection. It’s what inspires me and brings me joy. So, that’s kind of how it all came together.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
In 2015 I started writing for an online publication based in San Diego called EDM Identity (shout out to Grant Gilmore!). Through EDM Identity I was introduced to live music and festival life. I quickly fell in love with the scene and found my voice to express that love. EDM Identity is where it all started. After writing a hundred or so articles and diving deeper into the electronic dance music space I started to explore parts of festivals and shows that others did not. Different art pieces, different sets, and things along those lines. I realized there were not many photos that captured my experience to support the articles I was writing.
So, I bought a camera, and with zero experience Grant gave me my first opportunity to shoot SnowGlobe. Taking a camera into a festival changed my perspective immediately. Capturing moments of pure joy on attendees’ faces, the energy from the artists, the fashion, the general vibe, landscapes, and art. I just fell in love with it. On my flight back to San Diego from Reno I made an Instagram handle to post my first photos and it just grew from there.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Every day there are new opportunities for growth as a business owner and as I grew as a creative I knew I had to diversify my business to stand out among the rest. That’s when I decided to get my drone license to fly commercially. I started to see a lot of aerial shots in festival after movies, in cinema, and generally everywhere. I thought it would be a really neat way to set myself apart. So I did! And, it’s not that hard. I’ve had my drone license for 5 years now. In the beginning, a regular drone was sufficient and the shots were captivating. These days, content is quick. Technology is constantly evolving. A regular drone shot doesn’t cut it anymore. They definitely have their place, but now FPV is where it’s at. First Person View drones are flown with goggles and more manually allowing the pilot to get incredibly cinematic shots. You can even do flips and barrel rolls to assist with creative transitions in post. FPV is awesome and it just shows that it’s important to continue learning.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
It has grown into more than I could have ever imagined. I used to heavily stress on the lack of money coming in from solely freelancing. It’s still not financially sustainable on its own, but I’ve learned to better manage my expectations. To be proud of what I’ve accomplished and I am always working on setting setting lofty, but realistic goals. I truly believe if you follow your heart the money will come, but when I focused on “making it” I saw the stress outweigh my love for the art.
To be financially sustainable with my own business is the goal though! I fly drones for a utility company the first half of the year and freelance the second half. It’s a great balance for my life right now; however, I would love to work full time for myself and someday I will! Right now, I’m just happy to be pursuing my passions and enjoying seeing my business grow. I can’t believe how far it’s actually gone! I’ve done some really cool things! Flown my drone at Red Rocks for Don Carlos Reggae, toured with Crooked Colours, and worked with tons of local artists in the San Diego music scene on many different creative projects. I’ve seen more live music than 90% of the world I bet. All because of photography, writing, and my business. That’s what makes me happy so I’m just going to keep leaning into it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sixdegreescr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixdegreescreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sixdegreescreative
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sixdegreescreative1837
Image Credits
All photos by Six Degrees Creative.