Meet Will Focus | Cinematic Photographer

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

Hi Will, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose a creative career because of my influences and desires as a child. Ever since I was young, around the age of 4, I knew I wanted to Illustrate and Photograph. These were things that my mother introduced to me both directly and indirectly.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, I am a mixture of technical and creative. I have to find out how things work. I have a deep down desire to seek out the base component of everything. I can’t just see a building and know it is there. How did they lay the foundation, the sewer lines, the beams, walls, what are the materials, etc. This is how I approach my creative life. Because I am a builder and creative, I have to know how everything starts from its simplest point. This gives me an advantage of troubleshooting.

I am excited about capturing the things that most people do not get to regularly see. Things they don’t expect of themselves to be able to portray or project.

It took some time for me to get to where I am today and that was not an easy road. I took a great deal of time to discover my true inspirations. I was pushed in many directions, with a full mechanical engineering scholarship, changing to computer science and studying coding, into visual communications, and finally landing on graphic design. All of the aforementioned happened while I paused my love for illustrating, and ended up having my 3 kids in college. Timing and money became critical (I was 19) and I had to work full time at all times in order to make sure I made ends meet for them and could continue my education. I was young and away from home in school. It was tough, but I promised I would always do what I needed to for them. Overcoming it was just a test of perseverance. I made sure to stay consistent and not let any life issues stand in the way of making sure they have a better trajectory than I did by making smarter choices. I wanted to be a good example for them so that always fueled me.

I’ve learned to always be honest with yourself along the way. Never lie to yourself, tell yourself what is and isn’t important to you, what is and isn’t bothering you and never pretend that they aren’t. When you lie to yourself it will take you that much longer to overcome various obstacles. We tend to do this to make ourselves feel better as opposed to realizing we are human and with that we are prone to and allowed to make mistakes. Be accountable, understand your mistakes and how you want to correct them and proceed accordingly. Doing this results in less and less mistakes as you get older. I’ve always realized that “your situation could be worse” and “never worry about the things that are out of your control, just control the things that are”. Letting go allows GOD/ the Universe to work things out for you.

I just want people to know that my brand is about perception. Showing people in a light that they aren’t normally exposed to. Allowing the world to see them in a way they often cannot. We are our own worst critics and I love showing people that maybe we should appreciate ourselves just a little bit more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, now that all of my friends and I are Vegan/Plant Based, we always prioritize finding good food. So Aunts et Uncles on Nostrand Avenue is a first stop. They are an amazing Haitian Vegan Restaurant with beautiful decor. As for our next stop, we would have to just hang outside… hit up the park, maybe prospect park where we have a lot of foot traffic and do some impromptu shoots, get to talk to new people and get some content (we are all creatives). Then we would probably hang and get some more food, possibly from Greedi Kitchen this time, another great Vegan Soul Food Spot. As the day starts to draw closed, just making sure this is all on a first Saturday, we are going to Brooklyn Museum to experience the music and vibes of First Saturdays. It’s a huge thing. If this is the weekend of the International African Arts Festival, then we are doing this as well. Usually during the week we vibe out, catch up, talk and hang and then let the weekend take over. I mean we prefer small game nights and making sure to just enjoy one another’s company – but if it is a must, here are some additional activities:

Monday – Go Karting and food Natural Blend
Tuesday – Axe Throwing and food Toad Style
Wednesday – Paintballing and food Slutty Vegan
Thursday – Archery Tag and food Chun Vegetarian
Friday – Shopping at Nicholas Brooklyn/Fulton and food Greedi Kitchen
Saturday – Vibes at the park and some creative shooting and snacks Sofia & Grace
Sunday – Tompkins Avenue Open Street Market and Aunts et Uncles

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my wife Nay Marie for always keeping my head to the ground and focused. She is the battery in my back when my power is low. My kids, BB, Will, and Sean, are my heart and them along with my brother Dorian keep me wanting to be a greater example in life for them. My Mother for telling me there is nothing I cannot do and my Father for teaching me that learning to fix things on my own will always benefit me in the future. Finally my best friend Junior for showing me how someone will support and be there for you in your times of need. These were the building blocks for the person I am today and I dedicated everything to them.

Website: https://TheOneWillFocus.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheOneWillFocus

Linkedin: https://Linkedin.com/in/TheOneWillFocus

Twitter: https://Twitter.com/TheOneWillFocus

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TheOneWillFocus

Youtube: https://Youtube.com/@TheOneWillFocus

Image Credits
For the first 5 images Jewelry: @AdornedInTaji Makeup: @__BrushQueen No other credits for the rest (I am the photographer)