Today we’d like to introduce you to Lawrence Walton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for photography started when I was a little boy. Every birthday my grandmother would buy me a disposable camera. All family gatherings and vacations, I would take pictures and I would be so hype to see how they turned out, I couldn’t wait to get back home so we could go to CVS or Walgreens and get the film developed. I’ve always loved taking pictures on my android and iPhones and people would ask me to do shoots for them all the time but I turned them down cause I didn’t have a real camera nor the equipment. All the content I was posting was from a cell phone, people would compliment me all the time and thought I was using a real camera, but nope I was using a phone, that definitely was a confidence booster cause I always have had a knack for photography, it just comes natural to me and I knew once I actually got a real camera I was going to turn up, I actually started to model and decided I was going to try my hand at being in front of the camera versus being behind it, the cost of being a photographer definitely had an impact on this decision. I couldn’t quite afford the camera and equipment I always wanted, (this stuff is expensive haha). I still model, I’ve actually been published/featured in a few magazines and online blogs but I always knew one day I would return to the camera. Always wanted to go to scad but couldn’t afford it, and didn’t have the family support to pursue my dreams as a photographer so I gave up on it(another reason why I started to model…fast forward to now…A year ago during the pandemic, I bought myself a stater camera (canon rebel series) and got started back into photography and haven’t looked back since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all, I mentally drain myself to be honest. I know my work is good and I say that as humble as possible. (BUT I’m nowhere near where I want to be, I still have a long ways to go before I’ll consider myself GREAT) and I’m very proud of myself for pursuing my dreams BUT my downfall is comparing myself to others. Comparing myself and my work against other photographers who have been shooting for 10+ years. Plus I’m also a competitive person, so when I’m scrolling on social media and see a photographer post some fire work it motivates me to get better! It pushes me to want to be better than the said photographer (in a healthy way) I want us all to push the envelope and take creating to the next level.
Whatever you doing, if you not trying to be the best then why are you doing it? I want to be a GREAT, I want to motivate, I want to teach , I want to give back.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a photographer, I honestly don’t think I specialize in anything to be honest (at least not yet) I’m very very hard on myself, I feel like my work is GOOD, but not GREAT yet. I’m still learning and growing as an artist, I’m still trying to figure out that unique touch with my art that makes me stand out. I want to get to a point where you look at my images and you can tell I took them before having to see my name. You could see an image and think ‘Yup, Dante shot that for sure’ that’s my goal at the moment. I’m most proud of me just pursuing my dreams and not letting fear or doubt get in my way. It’s tough but you got to keep going. Whatever it is what you want to do in life. Your going to experience highs and lows but don’t get pushed off track. Stay focused and keep going. No matter where you at in life, that thing you always wanted to do, DO IT. no more excuses, no more procrastination, JUST DO IT. You have to start somewhere right? Something that sets me apart is my drive and passion, that competitive edge, iron sharpens iron mentality. It’s a ton of photographers whose work I adore (Mel B, Andre Johnson) just to name a couple and every time they post new work it pushes me and motivates me to be better. Like I said I’m a competitor, I love those guys to death but I want to ultimately take it further than them. Healthy competition indeed. But that’s what keeps me ticking. Haha, I really want to go down as a GOAT. I want to be a icon. I want to change the game. I don’t know how but I’ll figure it out, haha.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My competitive nature. Every time I post a picture I feel like a ballplayer stepping on the hardwood or a rapper putting a mixtape or album out. That’s the mentality I have. I want to compete and be one of the best. I want to have an impact and be seen /heard. Oh, you posting fire content? Now I gotta plan a shoot and post fire too, haha.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldantew/?hl=en
- Twitter: LDanteW
Image Credits
Dante Walton
