Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Stewart.
Hi Joshua, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It started when I got a Canon Rebel DSLR for Christmas. I had never picked up a camera before 2017 and immediately became obsessed. The only time I had to practice was late after work. I googled what settings to use and went from there. Growing up, I was fascinated by astronomy, so the first thing I did was take photos of the night sky. Every night, I would go out and shoot, then analyze my photos when I got back home. I did this for about for months non-stop.
Along the way, I would force myself to get up early for sunrise and go out to sunsets on the weekends. Over time the camera became an extension of myself and people took notice. Whenever I posted an image to social media the likes and comments encouraged me and let me know I was onto something. It wasn’t long before friends, family, and even strangers offered money in exchange for my photography. I didn’t think of myself as a photographer, much less one good enough to get paid for it. But it kept happening. Eventually, I became confident enough to start my own business and call myself a photographer. And now South Magazine has featured me as one of the greatest photographers in the south.
I’ve been in business for three years. Each year is better than the last. I sell prints of my landscape photos, shoot real estate and hotels, and most recently have entered the family photo and small wedding market. It’s been a wild ride that has become my career.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Teaching myself photography was a huge obstacle. I went to school for a science degree. I planned to go into either pharmacy or neuroscience. Something artistic like photography was never even a consideration. So learning everything about photography and running a business, all while working an unrelated full-time job, was a challenge. Luckily, I made photographer friends along the way. Seeing how they conducted themselves and ran things helped push me over the bumps in the road.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think I’m best known for my night and sunrise/sunset photography. Living on Tybee Island has given me a great opportunity to capture some of the most gorgeous scenery. With every photo, I try to bring out the beauty in nature and let their imagination run wild.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My love of science would probably be the most surprising thing to people who only know me as a photographer. I’m a relatively private person so I only share my work, not so much my personal interests. I have a deep love of physics, especially particle physics. As I stated earlier, I almost went into pharmacy or neuroscience. Discovering and understanding different facets and mechanisms of the world brings me great joy.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.joshontybee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshontybee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshontybee
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/joshstewartphotography
