Shervin Lainez on Ambition vs. Expectation and The Hard Truth About Creative Success | MCP #219

The first time I saw a portrait by Shervin Lainez, I felt like I was hearing the artist’s music through a photograph. There’s an intimacy in the image, a quiet buzz that goes deeper than just the artist’s face—it captures an essence. His work has graced the pages of Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and countless album covers, shaping the way we see some of the most defining voices in modern music. If you've ever admired a striking image of Adele, Billie Eilish, St. Vincent, Tame Impala, or Orville Peck, chances are you’ve seen Shervin’s work.But what makes his photography so compelling isn’t just the technical execution—it’s his philosophy. Shervin doesn’t take pictures; he builds connections. He listens to an artist’s music, immerses himself in their world, and lets that inform the way he shoots. His style is adaptable—what he calls chameleon-like—but always true to the artist in front of his lens. As he describes in this conversation, his long years in the game have taught him that the real magic of photography isn’t about the perfect lighting setup or the ideal location. It’s about trust, energy, and presence. If he walks into a shoot anxious or distracted, the artist will mirror that. If he brings ease, they’ll meet him there.I met Shervin back in 2013 or so. I had a show at the Rockwood in NYC and some artist I respect had their photos done by this cool guy in the city. I wasn’t sure I could get him, but we figured out a place and in an hour I had a cache of photos I used for literal years. I mean, in addition to giving me something I could use and be proud of, he gave this awkward introvert a truly great experience. We talk about that experience and my perceptions of it. And, true story: after we taped this episode he shot a new round of photos for me, one of which is the main image I’m using across all my socials. A nice full circle moment.In this conversation, Shervin opens up about his relentless pursuit of his craft—the years he spent shooting for free, honing his skills by trial and error, refusing formal education, and pushing forward despite uncertainty. He breaks down the difference between ambition and expectation, explaining how wanting to grow as an artist is healthy, but expecting instant success can be toxic. His journey is a testament to the idea that success isn’t about demanding the next big opportunity—it’s about doing great work until the right people take notice.We also talk about mentorship, creative obsession, and the art of saying yes before you feel ready. Shervin shares why he never assisted another photographer, his feeling on “Can I pick your brain?” emails, and why his only real advice to young creatives is "just do it—over and over again". If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, comparison, or the pressure to succeed on someone else’s timeline, this episode is for you.If you get something out of The Morse Code Podcast, please follow us on Apple Pods or Spotify or write a 5 star review or follow us on instagram or Tiktok or all of these things. See you next week! Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe