Meet Austin Parks | Photographer

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

Hi Austin, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Last year during quarantine, I spent every single day of March-July pursuing a job in my degree based in Atlanta so I could qualify for an apartment and make my move to Atlanta. Hundreds of applications, countless Zoom interviews, several follow up calls, high hopes. None of it amounted to anything. On August 2, 2020 I found out I could just pay to rent a room via Airbnb and by August 6 I was in Atlanta. The real reason I wanted to be here was to pursue my photography career, not a job, and I have been making it work ever since. Each opportunity that has come my way, my focus has been execution and each one has led me to the next. This was one of the biggest decisions I’ve made in my entire life and one of the largest risks I’ve ever had to take. But I believe the risks you’re willing to take often times directly impact the level of success you will experience. Taking this risk opened me up to opportunity. Playing it safe never put me in position to achieve what I want for my life and, even if it did, it would probably take much longer. As an artist and entrepreneur, risk is the name of the game. I’m not too sure where I’d be if I didn’t include it in my plan, but I’d go as far as saying it’s a requirement to achieve my goals and progress forward. More times than not, we are the only thing holding ourselves back, and taking risk is instrumental in conquering fear. Once you conquer it, you’re unstoppable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of my belief in myself, that I truly feel like I can do anything. I believe I inherited that trait from my mother because she is such a big thinker and dreamer, she is one of the people who taught that to me and my siblings. I am excited about how my belief in myself will catapult me into the life I want to live. I have no doubt in my mind that I will attain it. Nothing about this path is easy other than me actually doing my craft. The photography piece comes easy to me, but it’s the grind, the uncertainty, the sleep deprivation, the occasional financial insecurity, etc that is challenging. But even with all of it, I wouldn’t choose to have it any other way. This is the life for me. I’ve learned that in this life you will either work for the life you want or you will settle for the life you get. I refuse to settle, so working for it is my only option. When put that way, it becomes very simple.

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?
One of my favorite things to do is check out different restaurants. Simply put, I would take them to restaurants in the city for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that I know not only has good food and drinks, but also a great view, ambience, music, energy, etc. I would probably take them to some of the lounges where we could enjoy each other’s company with other good people and music, the Belt Line where we could ride those electric scooters, the Coca-Cola Museum, the Aquarium, etc. and I might rent a nice car (probably a drop top) to enhance our trip to do all of these things.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout first to God for his guidance, my family and friends for their unwavering support of me pursuing my creative career, and my church family for keeping me grounded.

Website: https://bookaustinslens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinslens

Linkedin: austin-parks-ba4a4b162

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/austinslens

Image Credits
Jada Imani M Austin Parks