Kalvin Booker
photographer
BUFFALO, NY
Contact: kodaqkalvin@gmail.com
5 favorite musical artists of all time?
Common
J. Cole
Musiq Soulchild
Andre 3000
Aaliyah
What inspires you?
Honestly, I think what inspired my style was just how I grew up. I never fit in, but that just fueled my creativity and allowed me to be different and be free in knowing that and accepting the fact that I'm different.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You can't live your life comparing what you do to others, you'll never acknowledge your growth or how far you've come doing that. And, I would say don't be afraid to take chances.
What industry blogs/websites/podcasts do you enjoy?
I watch a Lot of Kevonstage podcast on YouTube, and vlogs a photographer based out of Detroit by the name of Vuhlandes.
What do you think the future holds for people of color in creative industries?
I feel like the sky is the limit for us. We are so talented and we push the culture forward and really shape the landscape of so many industries.
“If it’s something you really love, just go all in.”
What is your dream job?
I would love to become a photographer for a number of magazines, from Essence to Vogue, or be able to work with brands like Nike or Adidas.
What skill(s) would you develop if you had more time?
If it was any skill I could develop more, it would probably be studio lighting.
What is the last thing you learned?
The last thing I learned was how to activate the high speed sync function on my strobe light.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I'm just working on building my brand and perfecting my craft.
If you could talk to your favorite creative for an hour, who would it be? Why?
Probably would be Dave Chappelle, I just always looked up to him and I know he would have a lot of insight on life and so many jewels to share.
What advice would you give to creatives of color looking to pursue their passion full-time?
If it’s something you really love, just go all in. Don't allow life to get in the way or distract you from what you love, give it your all.
How do you keep your creative drip going?
It’s not always easy, but usually I just try to find inspiration from music or other artists that might spark something in me.
Contact: kodaqkalvin@gmail.com