Today we’d like to introduce you to Akins Baptiste.
Akins, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
The summer of 2017 officially marked the beginning of a journey that has had a profound impact on who I am today. It was this year that I had anxiously researched cameras, saved up money and embarked on a personal mission to teach myself photography. To better understand the catalyst that led to this decision I must first explain my background. I was born on the island of Trinidad where I spent the first ten years of my life. Growing up on an island before moving to the United States was a very polarizing experience, which nurtured and guided my perspective and outlook of the world for the best. Upon first arriving in the US I spent a short time living in New Jersey, before finally moving to Texas. Having lived in such distinctly different environments, I grew to learn to appreciate the natural beauty in all aspects of life and inherited a creative curiosity for the arts that would eventually manifest itself has become my photography today. Having entered college, my passion for photography has grown even stronger and thanks to having the fortune of encountering and engaging with many talented creators, there is an aspect of creative competition which continues to motivate me to improve and refine upon my art.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do, why, and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My photography is one that is guided by emotion, one that takes inspiration from the environment. I take pictures firstly because it is something that I enjoy and feels almost therapeutic, but also to evoke the same feelings that I have when I take a picture within my viewers. I take a great deal of inspiration from those around me, reading their energies and personalities in order to create something very emotionally correct to the setting and the message that I am intending to portray. I take a great deal of inspiration from minimalism which can be seen through many of my pictures. However, I do also very much enjoy creating abstract images which peek the curiosities of those who see my work.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
I feel as though success is a state of mind where one can look back at their work, see noticeable growth, and be content with where they currently are while also striving to continue to improve. As an artist in a heavily saturated niche, it is important to remain driven and hopeful regardless of how slow progress may seem. While someone can be very talented in what they do, in order to be successful, they must also be willing to sacrifice their time, network and reflect upon themselves and their work, always striving to be better. A strong passion and the belief that hard work will inevitably pay off, in the long run, is crucial to success.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be seen and supported on Instagram @akins_b or on my portfolio https://akinsbaptiste.myportfolio.com/portraits which is also in my Instagram Bio
Contact Info:
- Website: https://akinsbaptiste.myportfolio.com/portraits
- Email: akinsbaptiste@gmail.com
- Instagram: akins_b
- Twitter: akins_b1
Image Credit:
Maya Fawaz
Annie Huynh
Danae Rivers
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
