Rising Stars: Meet Phillip Istomin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip Istomin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a creative person. Music was my first love and form of expression. I took some photography classes in college but decided to pursue photography full time after getting laid off from my job at an advertising agency after the financial housing crisis in 2010. I think I’ve always had a unique way of expressing myself and my ideas, but it’s taken me all of this time to really perfect what I do, and I’m certainly far from feeling like a master of my craft. My attitude is live and learn. You never stop improving.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, but I think that’s most people’s experience getting anywhere in life. You only have control over your own part of it. I think the recipe to success is made up of many factors. It’s a serious challenge trying to make a living as an artist. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and make a good living doing what I do, but that’s a tall order when you don’t cater to what’s popular or trendy. You only hope to stay true to yourself and attract a certain type of audience who appreciates authenticity, quality, and a desire to create something truly special and unique. I’ve had plenty of moments of doubt and thoughts of getting a “real job.” My parents have been an amazing support system, they’ve really helped me get through the tough times. I consider myself extremely fortunate. The feedback I’ve heard from people throughout my career has been something that’s gotten me through those tough times. Anytime I hear that something I’ve created has really resonated with someone, whenever someone picks up on exactly the feeling, a story, or an emotion I’ve put in one of my photographs… well, that makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The one advice I hate reading over and over again from multiple sources is: “Pick one thing, one genre, and get really good at it. Be known as the master of (fill in the blank)” I could never do that. I love photography, period. I love so many genres of photography. I love all types of photographers. I simply love to shoot what I love! It can be a fashion editorial one day and an interior design project the next day. It can be a simple portrait or a moody landscape. I’ve shot products, families, weddings, kids, dogs, cars, you name it. But I always try to bring a mood, a feeling, and a story to everything I do, whenever possible. But I would say that conceptual work is my favourite because I can pack all of that in a series or sometimes a single image. I just want to stop the viewer in their tracks and have to spend some time with one of my images, and that is a real challenge in today’s day and age. It’s a never-ending scroll of images and information. My job is to make you pause and think, even for a few seconds.

What does success mean to you?
That’s a great question. I ask people that all of the time because I’m genuinely curious and it’s an interesting and very revealing topic of conversation. I think the answer varies. It’s kind of like the definition of happiness. But, since you’re asking me… My definition is to know and like yourself first and foremost. Good self-esteem and a moral compass will guide you to make the right decisions for yourself in life. And professionally, it’s to do what you love and make enough money to afford the type of lifestyle that you want to have. Most importantly, it’s to have a positive impact on the people around you. I do want to be remembered once I’m gone. I want to leave something behind that’s not easily forgotten.

Contact Info:

• Email: phillip@manicproject.com
• Website: manicproject.com
• Instagram: @manicproject