We had the good fortune of connecting with Charles Sharif and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, how do you think about risk?
I think about the reward in taking risk. For example, I’ve worked corporate and square jobs most of my life and found low risk in taking those. Those jobs were mostly about stability. Even though the income was there, I was finding out that I was often putting aside my creativity or denying my own personal ambitions because of how robotic the corporate workplace would want me to be at the jobs that I worked.

The reward and taking a risk and starting my own business with photography and videography means not going back to denying who I really am as a creative individual. The reward is being able to determine my own destiny and create work that I love and then also people love. This is more fulfilling than clocking in and out of a cubicle. I want to do my best with my creative work and vision so I don’t have to ever go back to the patronizing and lack of freedom I had at my particular corporate companies I’ve worked for.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I want the world to know that I’m capable. My art expresses myself and who I am, but it also expresses others and who they are even in a way that they may not see themselves, positively. I love the feedback that I get from my photos. And I love seeing the clients get their new favorite photos when they choose me. Their reaction is priceless and keeps me going.

What sets me apart from others is my “eye”. I have a distinct and creative vision for things that I can deploy through a camera. These unique angles, unique tones, lighting, compositions, and moods aren’t something that a typical photographer can achieve.

It was an easy starting out but what made it better was how much studying I put in before starting in the first place. I studied in practice so much because I wanted to learn and get great with my camera even before I had it in my hands. Of course I continue to study and practice once I got it as well, but one thing I learned through sports is that repetition as well as quality practice is key. I learn by doing it and also learn from feedback since I am someone who is able to take constructive criticism.

As an artist, you want the world to see and appreciate your work. I definitely want that, but I am confident and humbled even to know the whole world may not get to see. That makes it that much more special for the few that do I guess haha.

My story is one of a creative individual that has seen the world in a unique an artistic way but was never able to express it because of the immense amount of challenges that this individual has been through. Even challenges that I have put myself through or created. There are going to be more challenges but there’s not going to be any more muting of my own creative art. I’m done being silenced, I’m done putting myself aside, I’m done conforming and settling for less. We are here! Let’s get it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will go to Africa or Japan. I love African culture, I love Japanese culture. They both have great music and great art. They both have great architecture and innovative designs.

We would see Mount Fuji, the homes in woodwork of Japan, speak some of the language since I know some Japanese, and see cherry blossoms, while also bass fishing!

In Africa, I would love to learn the native dances, view our historical architecture, sing and dance, and views some crocodiles from a safe distance LOL.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I mostly dedicate credit and recognition to my faith. As cliché as it may sound, I don’t think I would’ve been bold enough to pursue my own ventures without my faith in God but also I’m not sure how strong I would’ve been, or am whenever adversity would come to play in my life.

I’ve learned how to respond to adversity through playing sports my whole life as a football player through college, as well as my heavy struggles coming up as a young man. I’ve had a tough childhood but have grown resilience and strength throughout my trials.

Website: Instagram.com/Charlesxavierimages

Instagram: @charlesxavierimages

Facebook: Facebook.com/charlesxavierimages

Youtube: Outdoors With Chuck

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