The Collective Vibe Team

If you've spent your career as a photographer avoiding other artists; trying to guard your secrets to your success, I strongly encourage you to let go of your ego, get out there and meet some people. As an artist, I use to be like this. I was scared of not being good enough, hence why it has striven me to the attempt of being the best, and not exactly doing my best. There was always someone I felt the need to compete with when instead, I should have been competing with the person I was yesterday. 

As I progressed more over the years, I stopped thinking this way because what I realized is that most of my work is a reflection of the ones who Inspire me. Sure taking other people's work and using it as your own is called plagiarism, but in my opinion as a photographer, it's kind of not. You have to get your ideas some how, and usually those ideas come from other artists, whether if its from something you see, read, or hear. I'm not saying to go replicate a whole shoot from using the same poses and copying every detail of their work, but simply borrow their idea and make it your own!

Meeting up with Toua for the second time to finally shadow him and The Collective Vibe Team in his shoot with Sammie was phenomenal. Inspiration comes in many forms and these few artists helped me build that inspiration for myself. I was able to learn through their processes and man, can I say, these people are talented! I learned a lot and still I feel like there is more to learn from them specifically. Being the second shooter, here is the money shot I took from the shoot. We worked with a few different lighting arrangements and no natural lighting involved. (shot at night time). 

With the help of everyone's hands I was able to capture something pretty cool! (If you know me, I love showing hands, arms, legs and feet) Anyway, thank you to these talented artists for helping me create this shot! Can't wait to see more of Toua's photos! Please check him out by clicking his name and also Peter who does amazing makeup! (From my understanding the other artists present at the shoot do not have an instagram) 

Moral of the story, work with other artists, even if you don't feel like you'd benefit from them, there is at least one thing you will learn! The key to success is network!

Wooh! Happy shooting!