Meet NJ Stevenson | Brand and Commercial Photographer & Business and Project Manager

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

Hi NJ, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Integrity. I’m really big into being a person of your word. If you said it, stand behind it and do the right thing. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t easy because it may involve going against the grain or what’s trending or culturally expected. In this time of racial and political tension this is even more important on a personal and business level. Having consistency in our integrity as well. You don’t have to guess where I stand. That doesn’t mean I’m loud with it, it means I have taken the time to inform and educate myself and make a decision that I will be firm with. This enables me to have the consistency as well and the integrity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Creatively detailed- if I had to hone in on one thing that sets me apart in the creative aspect it would be detail. I have a skill for perfecting the little things. In my opinion little things add so much to a creation and in that same sense they can take away from a creation. I’m most proud of the fact I can take what appears mundane and create something beautiful from it as well as my ability to teach others in a way that makes the light bulb go off. I think that’s also one thing that sets me apart as an educator in photography and business management. It hasn’t been easy as they say anything worthwhile is work. Over the years I’ve been up and down in business. Peak seasons and slow seasons. I’ve never stopped and I think that has helped me tremendously. I don’t stop but I will slow down if needed. I think it’s very important to flow with the various seasons of life and know when you have to change your pace or even your direction. This helps in overcoming challenges. I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way, the biggest for me being I don’t need to do what’s trending or popular to succeed and that doing what the crowd does exactly the way the crowd is doing it doesn’t allow you to stand out. This combined with integrity has allowed me to build a business that I love and that has come to be known for doing detailed work and doing the right thing in serving my clients.

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’m a home body and most of my friends tend to be like me so I bring the party to us. There will be nights around a pool or firepit enjoying a small group of friends or family. But I’m also the one that likes to wake up and hop in the car for a day or weekend trip without plans. I’m open for new adventures and letting the week unfold in an area that has plenty of attractions. I don’t do well with over planning or minute by minute planning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This feels like one of those special moments where I lift my golden award and say “and I’d like to thank my family especially my mother!” Seriously, I would like to thank my mother, she along with my sisters are my inspiration because I’ve never not been around entrepreneurs. I was an adult when I realized that I was born into a circle of entrepreneurs that did what they did out of necessity(providing for our needs) so I could do what I do out of choice. I started photography at the age of 14 in front of the camera. My mentor at the time was a military photographer and also my oldest brother.

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Image Credits
NJ Stevenson-ebbystouch.com