Meet Erik Gibbs-Russaw | Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erik Gibbs-Russaw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erik, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve come to appreciate the time I spend with family/friends now more than ever. When I’d work a job I’d go from Monday to Saturday so I’d have one day to really spend time with my daughter but I’d be too tired to even play with her so I had to make a choice bc she was getting older. Once I was given the opportunity to create full time I had to shift mindsets bc I still wanted to be booked and busy so I was back into the same cycle of not giving my self time to not be machine driven by ambition. That led to burnout and an unhappy lifestyle thinking that I have to be everywhere and I can sleep when I die but it’s best to take care of me first. Now I’m in a better place to work at my own pace and spend that much needed time with her. I even bring her and friends to video shoots so they acquire skills that may lead to something bigger in the future

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of being an inspiration to my peers as an example to push yourself to be more than what you come from. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan so I wasn’t familiar with a lot of opportunities that were available in other regions so when I moved to Atlanta in 2008 I just took what I knew and had fun with it. I started off as a rapper so I got to know a good amount of artists within the creative community so the transition into film wasn’t hard. I always had a camera on me too so I’d get invites to friends events/shoots or tags in posts that were looking for videographers then that took me onto a different route. One thing that didn’t change tho was being undervalued whether by others or by myself so once I began to have the confidence in my abilities I was okay with turning down things that i didn’t see as time worthy. Something I’d like the world to know about my story is that nothing is impossible no matter what your situation is. I’m from a poor town and I still have family/friends there so I’m building to give them hope

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting I’d more than likely take them to an abandoned spot I think is cool. I’m an urban explorer so a vacant school or hotel is more exciting to me than any club. We’d definitely get wings tho, jj’s or American deli or something. It’s a lot of places to get into trouble at but it depends on what friend is coming ya know

Instagram: Instagram.com/apvisualz92

Twitter: Twitter.com/anrkyplay92

Youtube: Youtube.com/1in3studios

Image Credits
Photos by Evinity Captured