Meet La’Quan Saxton | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with La’Quan Saxton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La’Quan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk as “walking by faith”. You have a vision but you don’t have the details formatted to point A to B. You just have this feeling or you know you can do this without any prior knowledge. It’s literally just you and God! My whole creative career has been a risk. Being the first in my family to attend college and I chose the art field when my family wanted me to choose business. Even the investments into equipment and the 10,000 hours (and counting) of honing my craft, not knowing if I was ever going to make an impact, or let alone compensated for my creativity.

I am often reminded of James Brown song “Payback” and one of the repeating lines is “paid the cost to be the boss”. Sometimes taking that risk its either going to cost you time, money or both. There were times I believed in a project so much that I came out of my own pocket just to make sure it was top notch or even went against my own sleep schedule to finish a project. Risk has a reward, it depends on how bad do you want it!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To put in plain and simple, I am a creative director. Now underneath that umbrella is photographer, videography, DJ, producer and graphic designer (whew). What sets me apart from others is my curiosity for all creative mediums. Im interested even more than what I mentioned above. Somehow I believe learning from each creative industry will make me overall a better creative and increase my creativity. Knowing about other creative mediums has helped me tremendously with clients. There has been times when I had a camera in my hand but was helping the DJ. There are benefits in being open to learn more than your craft.

There is so much to be proud of. Who knew that 12 year old me who spoke with this friends that he was going to be a creative entrepreneur, is actually doing just that. I am also proud of being a finalist out of 1500 photographers for the Google Image Equity fellowship last year. Even though I was not rewarded, it was still a huge feat for someone who picked up a camera in 2020 during the pandemic.

I got to where I am at professionally by being the answer to someone’s vision. I like to see the end product before I began any project. I visualize it in my mind before I open up the MacBook or pickup the camera.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Nothing screams Chicago like food! So many food spots that are good in the city. Coyotes off 18th and Ashland has amazing latin food even late at night when you’re leaving the studio or anytime of the day. I am a coffee connoisseur so Vietfive “Ube Latte” and Blue Bottle Coffee “Shakerato” will keep you going. In Chinatown we can go Joy Yee, one of the best spots of bubble tea. My favorite areas are Pilsen, Logan Square, and Wicker Park. Hyde Park is another area that has a lot to offer. Creative wise, I would go to one of my favorite spots to shoot photos, Unique Empire. I love going to museums. I had a great honor to attend the MCA where Virgil Abloh had an installation. I try to go there at least every 3 months to catch new artist work which helps keeps me inspired.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my church family “Better Life”. Thank you believing in me to even put me in a creative position. Even when I didn’t even believe in myself or know what I was doing (Thank God for Youtube) you still trusted me. Thank you giving me the training ground to hone my gift. I would like to thank my mentor who is also my sister (Big Sis) for guiding me in my purpose and who will always been my anchor when I go off the deep end (lol). Thanks to my mom and brothers for encouraging me. Thank you for my first and only son, Hayden. You bring me so much joy and have been the battery in my back in creating a legacy. Thank you to everybody for trusting me with your vision such as Christopher O’ Neal, Johnathan Hawkins, Aijalon, Jocelyn Briscoe, Marcus Brady, Apostle Dr. Steven L, Chidi Osuji, Raze Up Grooming Lounge, Go Gettaz Salon, By The Hand Club for Kids, Faith Gilliam, Yolanda Perry, Pettis, Pastor Dr. April Osuji, Mammoth Moon Media, Codename Torino and Les Bates. If I overlooked you, know that I love you and I truly thank you!

Website: quantumnbrand.site

Instagram: @quantumnbrand

Other: quantumnbrand@gmail.com

Image Credits
By Quantumn & Kevin Holliday