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RAINE : What are the qualities that make something especially photogenic? MONROE : The word photogenic only speaks to some-
one being able to take a great picture. That’s all subjective to the person looking at the picture and how they see the person being photographed, which usually only focuses on what and who popular culture considers “attractive.” With that said, I believe the possibilities are endless on what can be considered photogenic. I think qualities that can help someone be more photogenic are lighting, composition, coloring, and poses that present the subject in the best way.
RAINE : What are the challenges involved with simultaneously maintaining a personal portfolio and a media organization built to support and spotlight the work of others? MONROE : The biggest challenge would be making
sure that as a brand we have a caliber of work that is consistent with all artists, while still holding true to each artist’s unique style and eye. Hiring creative people that I admire and who hold themselves to a gold standard in their work has made it so these issues are easier to manage.
RAINE : What are the best strategies for avoiding burnout? MONROE : Burnout is something that I once feared,
Monroe Media’s slogan is “Media that you can see and feel! RAINE : How did your career expand into entrepreneurship with the foundation of your own media company? MONROE : God blessed me and made me aware of
the talents that would become my career early, so I never considered my talents a career early on- only a means to make a living doing what I love, create amazing art, and try to survive in this expensive world. When I decided to move to Atlanta in 2015 to build out what would be the foundation of Monroe Media, I would get told by what felt like every other person to only focus on one thing. I felt that to be limiting and unfair to the different parts of me that wanted to do my photography but still design graphics. One day, I decided that if I was going to do this, I would do it on my terms. In 2017 on my 25th birthday, after a year of working for a company that was not pushing my creativity nor my drive, I decided to quit and never looked back.
RAINE: What are the key criteria when choosing what people and organizations to support through Monroe Media? MONROE : Monroe Media’s slogan is “Media that you
can see and feel! ” We want clients and people who want to do exactly that! Media is meant to evoke a call to action or an emotion, and to spread information in a way that captivates its viewer. Anyone or any business that can speak to this and believes this to be true as well fits into our criteria exactly.
then it became something I learned to understand. You have to first be OK with knowing that you’re going to burn out— it’s inevitable for everyone. That doesn’t mean you’re going to stay there; that just means you now know what it looks like for you to be burned out. You can now pay attention to the signs that may signal that you’re on the verge of burning out. Listen to your body when you need rest. Allow yourself time to find avenues to refill yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. If you have other interests that can take your mind off of your work, do them! Always remember if you are mentally off, your work will reflect that.
RAINE : What are your instigators for crafting a passion project such as the Reflecting Beauty exhibition? MONROE : Reflecting Beauty was birthed from COVID.
I had been locked up like the rest of the world and I’m in New York City! Seeing what was going on with the world, I felt now was as good a time as any to reflect the beauty that we sometimes overlook because of so much going on. People need to be reminded that we are most beautiful when we are showing up as our authentic selves. The show was and is a manifestation come to life!
RAINE : Do you have any further major/exciting projects coming up? MONROE : I just completed a cover shoot with the na-
tive New York rapper, Dave East, for The Quintessential Gentleman’s style issue 2022 that will be coming out soon. We are also designing the actual magazine as well, so that is something I am for sure very excited to share. Further, I am actively working on building out the tour for Reflecting Beauty coming to a city near you. Dates will be released very soon, and I am excited to share those dates and cities with everyone who couldn’t make the New York show.
