Daily Inspiration: Meet Israel Douglas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Israel Douglas.

Hi Israel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my photography journey in 2018 during my junior year of college at the university of Toledo. I was taking media classes an ESPN2 class. I was in charge of running the camera for events that were going on at the college. I fell in love with being behind a camera, and I have been shooting with the camera ever since. I love shooting people as I feel like every person has their own uniqueness with their appearance and personality which in itself is art.

I have been drawing since I could remember. It was my first form of art when it came to expressing myself. Over the last couple years, I’ve gotten into painting portraiture and realism because much like my photography I love capturing people uniqueness and then adding my own creative twist with mixed media incorporated.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For both of my crafts, I would say it is not been necessarily as smooth road, and this is because a mixture of things, but primarily it deals with financial struggles and letting your doubt get the best of you. Doubt is a very powerful thing especially when it manifest. At a young age, I do not feel like entrepreneurship was encouraged as a path for me to take. My parents wanted me to take something more certain like a doctor, a lawyer, police officer, which is understandable. With entrepreneurship, you have to be willing to be okay with inconsistency; building clientele, facing the financial ups and downs, buying equipment ,etc. it can definitely become overwhelming at times, but in the long run, it’s so worth it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional photographer that specializes in portrait photography & and emerging realism painter. Back home in Toledo I feel like I’m known more for my photography work, but since moving to Dayton, I would say people know me more for my paintings.
I am proud that I followed a path that feels designated for me. I used to always feel ashamed for the person that I was because I’m choosing a path that just isn’t ideal or just not common when I compare myself to the rest of my siblings, but through my photography career, I found my community of creatives and realize that I am not the only one with the same passion in the arts! It’s been a blessing, building my community and being able to step into this world as authentically me.

I think what sets me apart is my huge support system. That is my family. My parents drilled into our brains that however. you are going to present yourself to this world you need to be the best at. I take these words into my everyday life, as I am connecting with people
,as I put on clothes, as I take pictures, as I paint. When it comes to how I am perceived, I’m going to put my best foot forward. I am going to be as open-minded as possible because much like I can be me, every person has the right to be them and I fully accept that and shoot/paint from a space that has no boundaries. Nothing is off limits to me. I feel like when you don’t allow limitation into your art there’s just no telling what it can flourish into.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I really can’t say much negative about Toledo. I’ve lived in Toledo pretty much my entire life and has seen its gradual progression over the years. I absolutely love the community surrounding the arts. You can pretty much drive around Toledo and see murals everywhere. Connect with somebody who is into the arts in someway and I just find that extremely beautiful. You can be yourself in Toledo!

I can’t say much about Dayton! Still
Need to explore!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israelnichole_?igsh=MTlqZ2Z5ZmhpemM5cg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KkqujvRLQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr