Louis Q
2016 certainly had its share of ups and downs personally, professionally and in the world we live in. 2016 brought us big news and changes with the presidential election, too many musical and celebrity losses to count, new killer movies, music and art and amazing networking with worldwide creatives. 2017 is gearing up to be one of my most creative and exciting years yet. Having undergone some major life changes over the last couple of years regarding my business outlook, personal life and health, I am at a place where I feel I need to be personally and professionally. After a bit of soul searching and receiving amazing support from some terrific mentors, friends, peers and clients, I have realized my passion truly lies in creating art first and foremost. Secondly, I am trying to remind myself every day that life is very short and it can change or stop in the blink of an eye. I have let go much bitterness and resentment I have harbored towards others personally and professionally and have concluded that success and greatness lie in sharing, helping and supporting rather than hoarding, comparing, competing or judging. We all share the same space and air, we are all creatives in our own way and we all have dreams and aspirations to succeed but we all have different definitions of success as well as different means of achieving success. I am thankful for the gift I have been given and have realized that I need to leave a mark and pass on my creativity to the next generation of those that also find passion in the arts. So, I have decided to focus more time on teaching and sharing, listening, developing tutorials and educational workshops both online and in the field. My photography continues to shift and focus primarily on concert and music, travel-landscapes, ruinscape and portrait-concept art. I will continue providing limited portrait and senior sessions in 2017 however will focus my energy on creating more concept portrait, compositing and photo-art. I need to continue to learn, network, explore, create and make one of a kind and unique images that scream individuality with a kick ass WOW factor. Although I will continue to work on individual portraits, senior photos and modeling shoots in my home studio complete with refinished 1925 hardwood floors, an eclectic mix of Victorian and Tuscany themed furniture and accent pieces and my studio lighting set up and backdrops, my portrait sessions will focus on very non-traditional art themed and concept/composite themes using an array of textures, digital backdrops, unique locations and creative lighting.
2016 also awarded me the opportunity to pursue my passion and focus more on music and concert photography and writing reviews as I have the pleasure to shoot and write for New York State Music and my own blog “Live through the Lens”. Having shot well over more than a dozen shows, sometimes several a month, I was able to work professionally with some amazing bands including Foreigner, Hinder, Shaman’s Harvest, Sabaton, Saliva and more as well as collaborating with other fantastic concert photographers and artists. This year I plan on uping the concert and band work which will obviously limit my time for local portrait sessions. However as stated previously, I will available for a limited number of creative portrait sessions as time allows. I am both honored and humbled to share that some of my concert and band artwork has been featured on bands media, social sites, promo material and T-shirts !! I am currently in the process of collaborating with some killer artists in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York for some potential work (fingers crossed as always). As it is with any musician in a band I have learned, or rather, re-learned that in trying to “make it”, there are a lot of paying the dues, travel, personal expenses and sacrifice that is sometimes difficult to endure. I however have an amazing support system, family and friends who support me. Thank you, all of you !! I have set some great goals for 2017 and I’m not 100% where the next stop on this whirlwind experience will take me, but I am thrilled just to be able to rub elbows with some of the best and influential photographers, musicians and artists of our time. At the end of this news update you will find links to both NYS Music and Live Through the Lens.
I will continue as participate in a few select art shows in 2017 and I am looking into a few gallery installations as well for the new year. I continue to build my inventory of high quality infused metal prints for sale at shows and festivals and am planning to incorporate my home as a regular gallery and tutorial center. Also, I appreciate all the support I have received in the last six months with my go fund me page in attempts to create a unique community photography/learning center and gallery. As of now my goal has fell quite short of my start-up fund. I will let it run for the next 3 months in hopes of making this a reality. However if by April 1st, I do not have the funds necessary for start up, I will suspend the campaign and figure out the next step towards my goal of helping others learn and find their creative potential. Lastly, the biggest news that will directly affect my customer base is that my online galleries for private sessions will be available for only 6 weeks for purchase and viewing after the session.
Here is a link to my Go Fund Me Account which will help realize the dream of creating a one of a kind creative photo studio, educational center and gallery:
Photo Studio/Learning Center/Gallery Go Fund Me Page
Here are a few of the new pieces I will be showcasing in 2017. If you are interested in saving money and avoiding gallery and show costs, simply press purchase print below the photos and you will be directed to my purchase page where you will find a nice savings. Plus if you act before April 30, 2017 you can save an extra 15% on your entire order by using promo code: spring2017 at check out. I hope to see you all in the upcoming months. Til then, stay warm and be happy !!!
Again, I would like to thank all my friends, family, clients, publishers, festival and gallery organizers, bands and their great PR teams and managers for supporting my madness and for your continued support in 2017. Thak you and here’s to wishing all of you a very healthy, happy and prosperous new year !!!
Be sure to check out NYS music for all the latest music news, reviews and photos here:
Also please feel free to check out my latest concert reviews and photos here:
