Meet Peyton Fennell: Photographer / Content Creator / Artist with a Camera

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

Hi Peyton, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson I’ve been taught by pursuing a creative career is that everyones journey is timed differently. You can’t compare your timeline to someone else’s. Be patient with yourself and truly focus on getting better at whatever it is you do instead of worrying about what will come out of it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the photographer behind the lens for THEFENNELLFOCUS, which is my own brand. I would even go as far as considering myself an artist with a camera because I tend to push my own creative concepts far beyond documenting an event in time but telling a story and amplifying a message. I think my relatability and compassion separates me from other creatives. I always aim to look at all situations from a birds eye view, I pride myself on how easy it is for me to understand different perspectives. I am most proud of how far I’ve come/grown within the past year. From using someone else’s camera to having my “Flower Child” series featured in an online exhibit amongst 20 other women photographers from around the world has had a major impact on my confidence behind the lens. I am most excited about my on-going series “Flower Child”, the message behind this series of photos is to show the direct relationship between how beautifully flowers bloom/blossom and blackness. Our skin, hair and even the way we dress all represent our beauty. I want others to see what I see when I look at us as a people, I see beautiful arrangements of colorful flowers. Discipline is something I still struggle with in multiple areas of life, however, long nights and early mornings is really how I got to where I am now. It has not been easy especially because I am so hard on myself, but NO PAIN NO GAIN. My advice to push through is practicing meditation, taking time for yourself to decompress, and allow yourself to make mistakes. I’ve learned to worry less about reward and focus on impact. I want the world to know I am a black creative based in ATL looking to bring your visions to life! Most importantly, if I could pursue my dream even after thinking it was Pediatric Oncology, you 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.
Ok, so boom. If you’re looking to get some photos in you NEED to hit up Little Five Points, thank me later. If you’re hungry I recommend trying No Mas! Cantina, Poor Calvin’s and Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill.
Hookah and Drinks, I say hit up Siva’s or Fin&Feathers.
If you’re trying to turn up get a section at VODS.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It may sound cliche but my parents have always been my biggest motivators. Regardless of what path I chose, whatever direction I was headed, I could guarantee the support from my parents. I’m talking, financially, emotionally, and mentally there for me through all the motions. Having my parents in my corner has been 100% influential on how I handle my business and passion. I think the feeling of being supported by your parents is extremely underrated. I am blessed to know what it feels like and I hope no one else is taking this experience for-granted if they are ever so lucky. They deserve so much credit because they have always allowed me to be my complete self and that has significantly catered to the colorful person I am/becoming.

Website: https://www.thefennellfocus.com/behind-the-lens-1

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