Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Hampton.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a lens based creative, I got started by getting a Canon T6 Rebel for Christmas in 2017 and began taking bad pictures of literally anything and anyone of my friends to get familiar with the camera. In the fall of 2018, I moved from Dallas Texas to Washington DC and I started my first semester at Howard University and that space was the building blocks to exploring into my creative interest and finding my community. There were so many cool, smart, and expressive people on that campus that they inspired me to find my own level of “cool” by becoming and artist through photography and film. Since then, I have worked and collaborated with various artist, businesses, and agencies across the DMV and even the globe by leading with the intention and integrity of storytelling in mind!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
ABSOLUTELY not haha but what practice or industry that you participate in has a smooth road? A lot of the times, the timelines of your projects get postponed because life stuff happens. Sometimes the client doesn’t always understand the vision and the project doesn’t get green lit at all. Sometimes the personal projects you want to do aren’t feasible because the life of a photographer and filmmaker is an expensive one. Sometimes you feel like you don’t have the resources to execute your ideas or bring people in on those projects. All are valid feelings. But the key to keeping the spark is knowing when to take a step back to refill your cup with new energy and insight on how to be best version of a creative that you can be. And the beauty of being an artist, is it’s not a young mans sport. I get a chance to grow and evolve in my artistry and storytelling until the day I die and that helps me keep going and being present with myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As you already know, I am a freelance Photographer and filmmaker and I would say I specialize in everything that goes into the craft of making as a lens based creative. Jack of all trades, master of none. Photography and video editing were the two aspects of my craft that got my foot in the door in meeting potential agencies and artist to work with! As a photographer, I focus on portrait photography and may bleed over into fine arts photography in my collaborations with others. Film editing is where I developed a base for my filmmaker journey. I edited a short documentary film called African Creative Class: GHANA from that point on, I have begun to dabble more as a director for short videos, films, and music videos in the DMV area. I am proud of that project because it was a huge stepping stone in getting my name out there and it showed I had the building blocks to expand my creative skillset and knowledge. I am not above working on other talented creator’s studio sets to learn and gain multiple mentors at a time.
My work centers around imagery and the stories of our Black American/Diaspora communities. I try my best to study the greats before me like Gordon Parks and Deana Lawson and I am constantly inspired by other contemporary artist today like Tyler Mitchell and Renell Medrano.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like to share that it is never too late to live out your purpose and dreams. If you want to thrive as a artist, stay humble, stay open, stay curious, and comparison is the thief of joy. Live in your purpose and enjoy the journey. The world needs artist like us now more than ever to reignite a renaissance of art and community that will move people and create the change we want and need to see.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatcanongoboom/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hampton-484009197/
Image Credit:
Main photo is taken by Trevor Wentt
