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Meet West Eal

Today we’d like to introduce you to West Eal.

West, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Eight years ago, I moved to AZ from Cali with no skill set. I needed a job, so I started washing dishes at a Buffet. But very quickly I moved up to a cook then on to a Chef at a resort in Scottsdale AZ. After months of 18 hr days, I quickly realized I did not like cooking that much as I thought I did. For fun and to relieve stress I bought a camera and started taking photos. In Tempe there is a street called Mill ave where I liked to hang out and take photos. I started to take pic and posting them on my Facebook. People started to ask was a photographer and after a month or two I started to answer “yes I am”.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it was hard and I still struggle with clients and drumming up more business in this clement is very challenging. Its really all about getting your big break and I hope mines comes soon.

Westeal Photography – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I believe the way I think is very different from other photogs I am not technical. Even though I use a camera it’s just a way I chose to express myself. The same way Picasso uses a brush or Micheal Jackson sings. It’s merely a way to show what’s going on in your head because words are sometimes not effective enough to convey your message.

Right now I am doing a lot of food photography. I am known for my editorial but as mentioned earlier at the time that was how I expressed myself. What sets me apart from other is that I do not look like a photograph. From the looks of me, you can not tell what I do. Yet at times it’s a curse because I have to convince people to take me serious.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I grew up in a very bad neighborhood and I am lucky just to have made it out alive. 80 percent of my friends are dead or in prison for life.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Colby Burrus, Mimi, Janne Muhammad, Egar

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