On Passion, Patience & Photography with Myesha Evon Gardner (E29)

In this episode, I talk to Myesha Evon Gardner, a New York-based photographer and art director originally from Cleveland, Ohio. We cover topics such as Myesha’s approach to photography, including influences, gear, experimentation, shooting analog and working in the darkroom, her mindsets about growth and finances, lessons she learned from her father, who is a musician, the importance of patience and passion, risk-taking, her most essential rituals, and much more.BiographyMyesha Evon Gardner is a New York-based photographer and art director originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a BFA degree in photography and graphic design from the Parsons School of Design in New York City.As a photographer and storyteller, Myesha examines truth by documenting and redefining themes of legacy, labor, the perception of beauty, and familial love in underrepresented communities. Through the subjects of vanity, body image, and self-care, she studies the profoundly complex role of the Black woman, who, she observes, as people and individuals, are often stripped down to singular value. Gardner investigates the socioeconomic structure and negotiation of power between these visual embodiments and what it means to exist in and move up into the ranks of American society.Her commercial work is inspired by the materiality of cultural influences as expressed through music, history, sports, and fashion. Myesha’s clients include Nike, Jordan, Beats by Dre, Nordstrom, Beyoncé, Parkwood Entertainment, Saint Heron, HBO, RCA Records, Sony Music, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, to name a few.Over the years, she participated in several group exhibitions, and her work has been published in publications such as HYPEBAE, WIRED, Cosmopolitan, The Brooklyn Circus, Vouge, V Man and TIME.Selected Links From the EpisodeMyesha’s WebsiteMyesha’s InstagramGordon ParksHelmut NewtonIrving PennDarkroomJamaica, Montego BayAlbumen PrintSusan MeiselasPrince Street Girls by Susan MeiselasMagnum PhotographersA Choice of Weapons by Gordon ParksLife MagazineHand-Printing (Photographic Process)Pinhole CameraMedium FormatPhotogravureShow NotesIntroduction [00:00:00]The Mindful Creative Year [00:01:02]Episode Introduction [00:05:06]On Becoming a Creative Professional [00:07:26]Advice for Young Creatives [00:21:05]Work Routines of a Professional Freelance Photographer [00:30:05]Short Episode Break – Support the Podcast [00:45:43]Financial Mindsets for Creative Professionals [00:46:25]Importance of Personal and Professional Growth [00:49:53]Myesha’s Approach to Photography and Direction [01:01:13]Challenges on Myesha’s Creative Journey [01:21:11]How to Be a Better Creative Professional [01:26:35]Episode Outro [01:30:13]Full transcript and more at https://creative.voyage/