Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Workman.
Hi Isaac, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Photography has been a way for me to be able to express my creativity and imagination. In a sense, it has allowed me to take my creative mind for a stroll. I do believe, as with all artists, there is a process. You learn about yourself, others, and the world the more you create. The individual I am today is drastically different than the individual I was 3 to 4 years ago. Along this journey, I have had the privilege of truly feeling what it means to be an artist. I believe there is skill, originality, and expressiveness in all forms of art regardless of the medium. It just so happens that my chosen medium is digital photography and videography. I have been taking pictures for a very long time, however, the seriousness in which I took my hobby only started approximately 1 to 2 years ago. After serving in the US Army as an LPN, I came to a crossroads with regards to who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. Subsequently, I enrolled in school to continue and pursue a degree in medicine. I soon found myself employing bits and pieces of my experiences from the military, cultural interactions, movies, video games, music, and fashion in my photography. You will notice I often use Fashion and Tactical gear to display my artistic concepts
Art has been and always will be polarizing. A single picture or a painting can invoke so many emotions and feelings in a single individual that it can inspire them to do good or it inspires them to do evil. Adolf Hitler who was the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945 was also an avid painter. Amidst all of the dark atrocities that were committed during World War II by the Austrian-born German politician, this individual found time to paint and indulge in his own personal artistry, and hobby. Even today the general opinion on Adolf Hitler’s work is mixed, it has been criticized for being too cold and unfeeling with many arguing that Hitler had a great talent as an architect. That being said, artists draw or produce what inspires them and in the process, they place a little piece of themselves within their own artwork. Now let’s apply this to my work, within each and every photo that I take I place a piece of my experiences or my vision into that medium.
My journey as an artist will not be complete without trial and failure. Along this road, I have had the opportunity to meet many individuals, some of whom have stayed with me through the whole creative process. While others have decided to let personal, delusional, childish, and unnecessary circumstances get in the way of the true meaning of why I create. Is it true what they say? Friends turn into enemies, enemies into haters. And haters are the fuel for true raw passion. I engage many concepts within my artistry because I want to include as much cultural aspects as possible. As an individual, I myself am a blend of many cultural, religious, and social communities, therefore have taken it upon myself to try to change the way people view the world through art. I create to change, to summon feelings of freedom and send messages of hope. I appeal to the individuals that want to create but either can’t or don’t know where to start. I place unconventional ideas and concepts into unusual venues that at times make individuals uncomfortable. But what fun is there in a life of comfort? I wouldn’t know, growth happens during struggle and strain. And through all the pain I look back and see just how far I have come. I am still growing, whether as an artist or as an Individual and I let my art do the talking. My art is not for everyone, but it is for someone. Diversity and versatility in many areas are essential to the plan of how I produce my art and live my life. What I create translates into my personal life as well. My lifestyle incorporates the same principles that govern my art and there is a law that it abides by. Order, even amidst all the chaos propels my creativity forward and upward. Have you ever wondered why they don’t put rearview mirrors on spaceships?
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My creative journey most definitely has not been smooth. Many things have halted, attempted to stop, and tried to break me down when it comes to my art and creativity. First and foremost, the greatest obstacle and challenge that I face is the man that I look at in the mirror. As an artist I am always critiquing my work, wondering, pondering what it is that I can do better and if it is good enough. Let’s be 100% transparent. Every couple of months I strongly consider ending my photography journey, this happens every so often. My creative drive at times is so great that I can keep up or I do not feel adequate enough to continue. Every time this feeling occurs events seems to subsequently transpire that rejuvenates my soul, my energy and my passion for art and creativity. I am my own greatest challenge. The lesser challenges are funding, people, resources, exposure, the access to different venues, and access to specific models and gear for specific concepts I want to build and produce. To be real I have been promised a website three times by separate individuals and three times the website has not been delivered. I don’t say this for others to take pity on me, but to realize that it’s about who stays and not who promised. Words are weak, actions, positive or negative are strong placement holders in how an individual views you. I have endured racism, negativity, prejudice, hate speech, and assault to name a few as a result of my work. These challenges have not derailed my deep-rooted vision for what I want to become and how I want to help inspire others through my artwork.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my professional life, I am an LPN, and I am going to school at the University of Utah. I currently go to school year-round so that I am able to graduate as quickly as possible to then apply to Medical School. If I am not in class, I am either studying or I am at work engaging with the public in the medical sense. In 2016 I joined the US Army as a 68 Charlie which is a licensed practical nurse. That is where I received my medical training for which I am extremely grateful for. That was a catalyst that started my love for medicine and for the sciences. I am best known for my intricate understanding of the body, and the ability to stay calm under pressure when it is needed most. I have been told many times with regards to my personal and professional life that I’m a very intellectual individual however, as with my artistry I feel as though I have a very long way to go and don’t see myself as an intellectual person. When asked what sets me apart from others one thing comes to mind, and that is my ability to be resilient regardless of what stressors, or what life throws at me. No matter how many times a trial it’s me, no matter how many times negativity for individuals want to bring me down I will always get back up and push forward.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Something that has helped me network is my personality. I will always be 100% authentic to myself, with regards to that also understand that you were able to respect others likewise respecting yourself as well. That being said do not tolerate disrespect that is presented in a disrespectful manner. Constructive criticism is just that it needs to be presented in a constructive way that allows you to process the information in a learning manner without a demeaning presentation. I love engaging with its community during my photoshoots. I love being able to explain to them, and to my models what gear they are wearing, how it is used and how they are able to apply it if they were to purchase the gear themselves. It is very cliché to say that knowledge is power, but it is the truth. My artwork is very different, I present abrasive concepts in a very pleasing and non-abrasive manner. I was very fortunate to have an amazing photographer friend critique every single piece of my work that I sent to him from the beginning. This individual, I owe him a huge debt due to his time, effort, and very direct instruction on how to edit and shoot photography. I will name this individual because of how important he is to me when it comes to creativity and being able to count on him and giving me an abrasive understanding of how to create pleasing works of art. My mentor’s name is Josh Peterson and I appreciate him greatly. Josh owns his own studio and Idaho Falls Idaho and has helped me become the photographer that I am today. I would not be where I am today without him. I would proof every single picture from a shoot and send it to him and he would tell me what it is that I need to do to change either my settings, my edit or just tell me that the whole thing is trash. Although to other individuals this may seem harsh this is what I enjoy from my mentor. I know exactly where he stands, and I was told directly what I needed to change and the knowledge process continued due to this direct communication on how to better myself as a photographer, artist and individual.
Pricing:
- 200$ an hour for a fashion photoshoot
- 400$ an hour for a fashion/ tactical photoshoot
Contact Info:
- Email: isaac@workmani.com
- Instagram: @workmani
Image Credits
Isaac Workman
