Photo Cred: Mike Slebodnik

In college, I double-degreed in Graphic Design and Communication Studies with a minor in photography, which became a fast love of mine. These are still the three pillars that are the foundation of my career today. During that period of learning and exploring, I discovered what I truly wanted to do through my first freelance project: a brand design for a new restaurant. That project led to others, and before I graduated, I had a budding design business underneath me. As my design opportunities increased, my love of music and photography began to merge when I shot my first show in 2005 with Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stoneage and others at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans, Louisiana. From then on I knew I was doing EXACTLY what I was meant to do in the world of design and photography.

After my years in design school, I opted to continue to pave my own path rather than join a larger agency. While that may have been "the hard way," I felt it was the one thing I was meant to do. As a business savvy creative, I always have and continue to be an advocate for building your own business and following your instincts. It's the only setting where you can understand the mindset of a client because you are living it. It also gives you the perfect example of how the power of building a solid brand can grow a company.

In 2015, I opened Reign Creative Co, a full service creative agency with two partners. We became fast competitors in the space and grew to an eight-employee shop with a sweet storefront on Magazine Street in New Orleans. We had the pleasure to work with a variety of industries, from fitness apparel companies to food and beverage packaged goods to film studios. Over my time as creative director, lead designer and photographer, I made wonderful connections that developed into a network of talented collaborators that I continue to work with to this day.

After growing that business, something shifted for me. I felt I'd outgrown that market and wanted something different for my professional career. I was becoming a psych-obsessed research nerd who had bigger aspirations and a hunger for the hustle that needed to be satisfied. In 2018, I closed Reign Creative Co., sold everything I owned and headed to Los Angeles with a flag in hand, ready to plant.

I opened Build Smart Brands, LLC, a full service branding and creative consulting business.  I've since had the great pleasure of working with clients in the fitness, beauty, hospitality and tech industries, bringing my diverse skillset to fruition on the branding development and design side. On the photography side, I've photographed countless live shows, orchestrated lifestyle and commercial shoots, and shot branded headshots for professionals and actors alike.