PHLEARN Magazine

When I’m not feeling inspired, I respect it and stop producing. But, if it lasts too long, I push myself to create by forcing myself to shoot. As I put myself out there, the creativity starts flowing on its own.

I can’t tell you how many times just trying one thing can make the difference. It could be just asking someone, experimenting with something, or just having fun, but just trying something new can take you away on down the road.

My main habits are paying attention, both to life and my emotions that accompany it – that’s the main source of my inspiration for my art. I want my art to be a by-product of living, not the focus, and I think that’s where it’s easy to get lost.

We, as photographers and creative individuals in general, tend to neglect ourselves creatively; we need to take more pictures of ourselves showcasing the hidden beauty behind the lens.

Grant Legan has shot for GQ, J. Crew, and Coach, making him a fashionable forerunner among today’s most prolific traveling visual storytellers. We discuss the differences between the creative community in LA and Chicago, and his next career move.

Felix Hernandez creates imaginative photos inspired by his “pre-programmed” dreams. He believes great images are not created with great gear, but with great imagination, and explains how he dreams up his ideas.

Rodney ‘Avo’ Omeokachie is freelance commercial photographer and creative consultant from Nigeria. He shoots a variety of genres, but focuses on a mastery of portraiture. Here’s a look at what gear he uses to capture his unique and vibrant portraits.

Being bold is not just about facing and managing physical risks, it embraces our approach to what we do each day.  And, as Einstein counselled, an endless repetition of your daily grind does not guarantee success.

Artists contend with a constant feeling that they can do and make something better. On the one hand, this seems devastating, as a person never feels satisfied with the results. On the other hand, this can serve as an opportunity for self-improvement.

There has to be a visceral, emotional component to the image – I want to look at an image and wonder who that person is and what they are feeling.