DESCRIBE YOURSELF AND THE WORK THAT YOU CREATE.

My name is Joel Bear, and I am a director and photographer creating with my extraordinary wife Maggie. Based out of Los Angeles, we have established a career together that has empowered us to dream and build. It has been an amazing journey together that has spanned the globe and allowed us to work with remarkable people and mentors.

WHO HAVE YOU WORKED WITH AND WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE ASSIGNMENT?

I have worked with the wonderful people at Google, American Express, Starwood Hotels, Southwest Airlines, Airbnb, Mens Warehouse, Fjallraven and Polaroid. My favorite assignment has to be working with Gregory R. Mottola, an architect in San Francisco. It was truly captivating to hear and witness the vision and insight of the man designing spaces and buildings for Apple, Pixar, Square, and Twitter. We were assigned to photographed him at his space in San Francisco which had incredible atmosphere. It was such an honor to work with someone with such foresight and vision. This assignment actually inspired my passion for photographing portraits and now inspires my career in environmental portraiture. It is such an honor to come alongside and create stories and renditions of such visionary and creative people. This assignment inspired me forward, allowing me to photograph creatives like Hall Newbegin, David Quiggle and Jarrod Reno.

RECOUNT YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN ARTIST.

I stepped into this craft when I was sixteen, and haven’t looked back since. Growing up in the music scene, my dream was to be a composer. Practicing eight to ten hours a day brought me friendships with other rising artist. I was overcome to tell their story, so I borrowed my mother's camera and started photographing their craft. Over the years, this passion has grown and now I am creating and directing narratives and campaigns globally.

HOW DID YOUR CHILDHOOD SHAPE YOU INTO THE MAN AND ARTIST YOU ARE TODAY?

My childhood was guided by my parents in the best way possible. From building tree forts to launching my own production company at 16, they’ve been there guiding me and mentoring me through the ups and downs.

YOU'VE TAKEN A LOT OF RISKS ALONG THE WAY, BUT WHAT WAS YOUR DEFINING ONE WHERE EVERYTHING WAS ON THE LINE?

My childhood was guided by my parents in the best way possible. From building tree forts to launching my own production company at 16, they’ve been there guiding me and mentoring me through the ups and downs.

HOW HAS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUPPORTED YOU THROUGHOUT IT ALL?

Our parents were there for us through it all, coaching and guiding us in our pursuit. There were many time that I would be writing out emails alongside my dad into the late hours of the night. I remember when we were invited to present at this incredible event in Salt Lake City and we found out about it a couple days before. When we accepted the opportunity, we realized we had run out of promotional and business cards. So my mother, who is a graphic designer, worked along side us creating portfolio and business cards that actually ended up bringing us a lot of work. Family, as you can tell, is very interwoven into Maggie and I’s lives.

LOOKING BACK ON ALL THAT HAS UNFOLDED, WHAT NUGGETS OF WISDOM HAVE YOU LEARNED AND EMBRACED?

Two things. First, never compare. You never know who is up to their eyeballs in debt. Second, portfolio work is incredibly crucial to the industry. I’ve found that so many people have relied too much on their salesmanship and not there service.

IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

Embrace the ten dark years as Tia Lopez states. If you look at any billionaire from Warren Buffet to Bill Gates, there was a period of time that they spent working, building skills and developing confidence that the public wasn't privileged to see. Media thinks that it’s an over night success and that there is little hard work. Bill Gates stated "I didn’t take a day off in my twenties, not one."

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS ALLOWED YOU TO BREAK THROUGH AND SUCCEED, PARTICULARLY AMONGST YOUR PEERS?

Being innovative and learning how to pivot. I’ve found that it is really easy to learn a niche and think that this is the ticket to success. But the truth is that the market changes so fast and is often unpredictable. Learning how to innovate and change directions has helped me stay on my game.

WHO ARE THE MENTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED AND INSPIRED YOUR LIFE?

Tia Lopez, Gary Vaynerchuck, Sam Walton, Seth Godwin and my father and mother.

IS THERE ANY ADVICE THAT YOU WOULD GIVE A YOUNG PERSON FOLLOWING THEIR PASSION AS AN ARTIST?

Everyone has ideas, but only one percent executes. Be the one percent.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CREATIVITY, WHAT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR?

Simplistic Design.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU CREATIVELY INSPIRED AND CONSISTENTLY INNOVATING?

Researching and Mentors. Finding people who are years ahead of me and keeping their work in my perspective.

LOOKING AT OUR WORLD, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN IMPACT AND CHANGE ABOUT IT?

I want to bring more value to the creative class; to encourage and promote the hard working men and woman that are designing our futures.

WE ALL DREAM OF LEAVING A LEGACY. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR, AND WHY?

It used to be 'trail blazer', but now it is changing to 'faithful in his pursuits'. Many people talk, but I want my word to come to fruition.

ANY CURRENT ALBUMS, ARTISTS OR SONGS ON REPEAT?

All of Humble Beast Records.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?

Star Wars and Second Hand Lions.

FAVORITE BOOK?

There are so many. I’m reading Sam Walton right now and it is inspiring.

FAVORITE FOOD?

I’m vegan, so everything that is green and noodles.

STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

Star Wars.

WHAT IMPORTANT TRUTH DO VERY FEW PEOPLE AGREE WITH YOU ON?

There are no successful overnight successes.