Photographer Corey Myers sat down and chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos at Loews Hollywood Hotel in this “Behind the Lens” series, where we get to know the man behind the camera.
How does it feel to be a photographer in the digital age?
I think it feels pretty exciting. At the same time, it’s a double-edged sword. With AI and everything else that’s coming up, I think a lot of people feel like they may become obsolete, but I actually feel the opposite.
I’ve been able to align myself with people who really care about art, creatives, the future of the industry, and the current state of film and its resurgence. As much as people may see some of these changes as negative, I actually think they’re helping keep the arts alive.
What advice would you give to young and emerging photographers?
Get out and shoot. Shoot, shoot, and shoot!
I think the market can feel a little oversaturated when you look around, but if you focus on yourself, you realize there’s a lot out there for you. There’s so much work available that it’s not as obsolete as you might believe.
For anyone who is up and coming, I would say: dare to be different. Forget the rules. Forget the box speed. Take risks. Shoot 200 at night. Shoot 800 in the middle of the morning. Figure out what your camera can actually do and find the beauty in the mistakes.
What have been some of your proudest professional moments in photography?
I think one of my proudest moments was really the beginning of the momentum, when people started to pay attention.
Being able to shoot with Christian Hogue, Shomari Francis, and JT all in the same month propelled me into this fast lane of, “Who is this photographer? Who is this guy who’s suddenly on the scene?” It put me in a position where people were forced to pay attention to what I was doing.
I don’t necessarily think of it as an accolade, but it’s fun to look back at those moments and realize, “This was the beginning of what I’m working on now.” Those experiences really helped propel me forward and helped define the direction I was heading in.
Was there a particular shoot that became one of your favorites or helped define you creatively?
Actually, I know what my favorite shoot is. My favorite shoot to date is probably shooting with Teo for the cover of Folie magazine.
Tao is a musician, and that shoot really aligned the entire creative team, the groomer, the stylist, and everyone involved. It just made sense. After the magazine shoot, I also ended up working on his album rollout.
That experience taught me a lot about artistry and the importance of contributing to somebody else’s vision. Being able to help bring that vision to life and be part of his team for that moment was really special.
It’s definitely something I loved. I still have the merchandise in my house that I wear. There’s something really rewarding about seeing people wearing clothes with your photographs on them. The whole experience of working with him and his team was probably one of my most fun and proud moments.
You’ve also worked with Pablo Kaestli and Mason Martsolf. What can you say about those experiences?
I’ve known Pablo for probably five or six years now, and I think he’s one of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. He genuinely cares about other people and always tries to put people in a position to succeed, just as he has himself. He is a real class act, and I’m very grateful to know him.
There are moments when you don’t want to shoot as much, or maybe you’re in a rut, and Pablo is one of those people who reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place. He reminds you what you’re here for and how talented you are. He’s always reassuring me that I’m supposed to be exactly where I am and that I’m genuinely destined for this.
I think you need people in your corner who can do that for you.
Mason is also incredibly special. I don’t know if I’ve ever told him that, but I think he’s one of the most special people I’ve met who really cares about art and creativity. He has a great sense of self. He knows exactly who he is, and he knows exactly what he wants.
What does success mean to you?
Success is always changing for me. I don’t think it’s particularly linear, and I don’t think it’s necessarily relative, either.
I feel like I’ve been on a constant series of wins and losses. You shoot something iconic and feel on top of the world, and then you wake up the next day thinking, “What’s the next task I can accomplish?”
Then you shoot a campaign and you’re immediately thinking, “Okay, what’s the next campaign?”
I think success is really a series of chasing goals. It’s always moving. I also think you should focus more on living in the moment and being mindful of what you’re doing right now.
Have intention about what you want your legacy to be, but don’t become so concerned about the future and what you’re leaving behind. What’s happening in the present is ultimately what will become part of that legacy.
Finally, what does photography mean to you?
Photography means a lot to me. It’s about love and trust, and it’s a huge part of who I am as a person.
I think photography is built inside me. It’s just who I am. It’s a medium of expression. It allows me to get my creative energy out and express myself in a way that feels natural to me.
Photography is really a part of me.
To learn more about distinguished photographer Corey Myers, follow him on Instagram.
