Jun 8, 2019
Alan Shapiro is a true creative person. From his day job as a Creative Director for the top Advertising Network to his other day job as a world renowned and sought after photographer, he has helped create some of the world's top brands and given those who know his photography some of the most beautiful and creative moments recorded with a camera.
How does one live a life, and make money, as an artist and a brand creator without burning out?
You might be surprised with what Alan shares on this episode. He shares how stress and a gift of a camera actually led him to his passion and how teamwork drives his creative life. That was a nugget I was not expecting he would talk about!
We dive into how to celebrate life in every moment, how to build a brand and what questions he asks himself to live his best life.
Many of our parents told us that art is not a career to be considered because you cannot live on that dream. Alan is proof that is not true but you have to be smart about it and he shares how he developed his creative side.
There are a few surprises on this episode as well as Alan and I grew up together and reminisce a bit to celebrate my birthday!
Alan Shapiro is a passionate, award-winning photographer. Advertising Chief Creative Officer, too
He grew up on the creative side of the advertising world, working with clients of every size and in every category around the world; telling their unique stories in very unique ways.
Along the way, he has had the pleasure of working with many, many talented photographers, directors and content creators. I became envious of their art and craft. At first, he saw it as a means of reducing his stress-filled life. As a Chief Creative Officer at the world's largest Advertising Agency Network, Alan needed a distraction. A friend gave him a camera. Then he bought another. And then another. Alan's new hobby and daily "creative exercise regimen" quickly turned into a joy-filled and all consuming passion. Then a client. And another. And then many more. Lockheed Martin, GM, Cadillac, Apple, Bose, Scholastic…
Alan loves talking to all sorts of people and seems to have a knack for getting them to open up and share themselves despite the intrusion and intimidation that a serious-looking camera often represents.
He likes finding and sharing things I find. Beautiful things. Powerful things. Poignant things. He doesn't like rules very much. He is incredibly patient and am often rewarded with moments of magic.
Alan enjoys taking something ordinary and making it something well beyond that. Illustration and painting are other passions as is creating unique "painted" photographs and photo compositions.
One thing led to another and now his work is published, hanging in corporate and private collections and shown in galleries.
With two careers he loves. His word to describe is: Happiness.
Contact info: alanshapirophotography.com or alanshapiro@me.com