Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Aaron Harris of Phoenix

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Aaron Harris. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
Thank you for having me! I’m chasing the dream of becoming a Hollywood director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. My goal is to create my own films completely under my own budget in the future so I can bring my ideas to life and have full creative control with my projects I put out in the world. Until that time comes, I plan to keep sharpening my craft by continuing to shooting weddings and portraits through my businesses 313LeeStudios and 313LeeProductions, and continuing to write my own films until the time comes to when I have time to create something special for my first film I put to life. If I stopped chasing this dream, I’d lose a part of what drives me. Filmmaking is more than just a goal to me, its art form that I use a tool to express my creativity & personality, every project I take on now is preparing me for the moment I get to tell stories on the biggest stage possible. I love every aspect of the production processes, me stopping would be like Peter Parker quitting Spiderman.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aaron Harris. I’m a 21-year-old filmmaker, photographer, and founder of 313LeeStudios and 313LeeProductions two creative brands I built from the ground up to represent where i’m from, Detroit (313), and my passion for visual storytelling. I studied Film Media & Production at Grand Canyon University from 2021 to 2025. While still in school, I launched 313LeeStudios as a portrait company, then expanded into video and started 313LeeProductions to create commercials for businesses in Scottsdale and Phoenix. I’ve learned video editing in Premiere Pro and photo editing in Lightroom while in College. I like to carry out the vision that I see from the start throughout the whole project, so I like to have control of Pre-production, Production, & Post-production. In 2025 April, I stepped into wedding videography and have shot over five weddings in my first year, I also offer Senior Portraits, Quinceañera & Commercials.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I thought every job was boring and that adults just worked because they had to not because they actually liked what they did. My parents always hated their jobs, and most people around me seemed to feel the same way. So I grew up believing that work was just something you suffered through to survive. I was always interested in film but It wasn’t until I got older and actually discovered producing film, photography, and storytelling that I realized I could actually build a life doing something I love. Now I know that work doesn’t have to be a burden, it can be a passion. I get to wake up and be creative, tell stories, and build something of my own through 313LeeStudios and 313LeeProductions. That mindset shift changed everything for me.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Ofcourse, there were definitely times I almost gave up especially during college. Balancing school and running a business was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, Especially in my first years where I wasn’t organized with contracts or a self schedule like I have now to run my business smoother. I’d be in the middle of editing client work or prepping for a shoot, and in the back of my head I’d be stressing about four assignments due, three photo sessions to edit, and five shoots lined up all before Friday. There were moments I felt overwhelmed and questioned if I could really do both, especially when I was starting out and working on it all of the time, it took a while for cash to become consistent and have a good line of clientele so in my first years I was always told to “put the camera down & get a real job”. But I knew I had to see it through not just for the degree, but to prove to myself that I could build something real while handling my responsibilities. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m running 313LeeStudios and 313LeeProductions five times more effectively. I have more clarity, more energy, and more time to freely create without school constantly in the background. It’s like I finally took the training wheels off and now I’m riding with purpose. Im alos

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’d say someone I really admire for their character not their power is Young Thug, Virgil and Lil B. What’s always inspired me about them is how raw and unapologetic they are with their art. They never tried to fit into anyone’s box they expressed themselves freely, even when people didn’t understand it at first. It’s not just about the music it’s about how they carry themselves as artists. They’re true to who they are, no matter what people think, and that’s something I’ve always respected. That kind of creativity and boldness with their expression has shaped how I want to be as a creative, & how I want to tell a story my way, and express it all willingly whether that’s through film, photos, or whatever else I create.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy will be people thinking I did all this just for the business or the money. From the outside, they might see the brand names, the booked weddings, the commercials and assume it’s all about stacking income or running a hustle. I’m in this to make a name for myself as a filmmaker and to create real impact through my work. I want to tell stories that matter, build a legacy through my films, and inspire the next generation of creatives to be bold, innovative, and true to themselves. This isn’t just a business to me, it’s a passion. Every camera angle, every scene, every story I tell is part of a bigger vision that goes way beyond money. It’s about changing the way people see art and see themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://313leestudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/313_leestudio/
• Other: My Production Page Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/313leeproductions/

Image Credits
@313_LeeStudio & @313LeeProduction