Meet Derrick Henderson: Photographer/videographer/artist

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

Hi Derrick, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursue a creative/artistic career because I came to a point in my life where I wanted to do something I love instead of something to get me by that I didn’t love doing. I’ve been involved with art since I was a child, I always had art in my curriculum during my time in school because I loved it. So naturally as I got older I thought about making an impact on the world and I think being a creative is the way. When I’m finished I hope to leave a legacy behind for my children to expand on their own dreams.

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 classify my art as me showing others the world around me as I see it. Nowadays with photography being so accessible to everyone, I continuously see photographers with no real self identity. For instance if you look at most photographers on social media, whether it’s YouTube, instagram, etc., everyone wants to copy a look instead of creating their own. Instagram is a good example of this, everyone just wants to be someone else and it shows in the work who they admire due to the emulation taking place. I like to say that I don’t particularly have a style, I explore my art with my own eye. That may be me exploring with color, tone, shadows, contrast, themes, etc. I tend to think of my work as having a hidden meaning or visual that I am challenging my viewer to see. I am most proud of me immersing myself into what I love, the greatest thing is that there is an endless abundance of photography to explore. Most photographers like to pick a niche and stick to just that. I don’t believe in limiting oneself to just one genre of photography. Art is to be explored, don’t limit your potential by putting yourself or allowing others to put you in a box. I got to where I am professionally by taking risks, call it a leap of faith if you will. I actually was in the medical profession but after a long career I found that I wasn’t truly happy. Finding my happiness brought me to my current professional level. The journey was not easy, rather hard and scary. Still is to a point. Having confidence in myself and perseverance leads me to overcome any challenges I face. It’s rather vital if you want to win overall. Lessons that I’ve learned are that if you don’t build your own dreams, you will definitely build someone else’s. You have to be courageous if you want to build your dreams. Risks are a part of that process, you just have to accept that fact. I would like the world to see my brand as a symbol for expression and bringing visions to life. Whether its my own or me bringing someone else’s artistic thought to life. I’m a man that grew up in Toledo, Ohio that ventured into the military out of high school in order to travel and experience the world outside of my city limits. I’m a prime example of someone who can make dreams into reality. If I can make my dreams come to fruition, anyone with the will to do so can too.

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 would eat at several areas around the city, the city has some great food. The belt line would be a great place to eat,drink, visit and hangout. Midtown would also be another area that I would travel to as well as the battery. I think downtown is the most fun and interesting part of the city. You can see all the city has to offer, depending on which part of downtown your in; you can see people from every walk of life. All while enjoying the sights sounds and tastes that the city has to offer. At the end of the day watching the sunset into the cityscape is the icing on the cake.

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’d like to shout out my Mom (Levonica Gay) & my Dad (Derrick Henderson), without them I wouldn’t be here to share my art. I’d like to thank my brother Jonathan Henderson & my cousin Tyrone Neal for always being there to talk to. I’d like to thank my dear late grandmother Naomi Neal for always telling me I can. A very special shoutout to my children; my handsome sons Julian Haskins & Korbin Haskins, thank you both for being my love and motivation throughout these years, all my work is dedicated to you. Even though I am a self taught photographer / videographer, I would like to thank some dope artist that I have had the pleasure and honor to call my friends. Jennifer Jefferson @jkapturephotography on Instagram, Ron Harrington @Rehinc.photo on Instagram, Malik King @leekstreetphotos on Instagram, David Jin @jinsanity on Instagram. These great artist have scoured day and night with me on this artistic journey; I thank them wholeheartedly for their friendship. Also I’d like to thank everyone that told me I couldn’t, shouldn’t, or put an obstacle in my way during my journey. What would we be without any adversity to strengthen our resolve.

Website: Www.exuberantmindmedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exuberant_mind/, https://www.instagram.com/exuberant_minds_eye/, https://www.instagram.com/exuberant_mind_bw/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-henderson-57740b36/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EXUBERANT_MIND

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derrick.henderson.3576

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFmdQwo3ytRYVnCFmCdGMA

Other: Check out EXUBERANT MIND MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY on Google! https://g.page/ExuberantMindMedia?iv Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/exuberant_mind/

Image Credits
Derrick Henderson “Exuberant Mind”