In this episode, we sit down with Chris Stiles from Photography Stiles and Lens and Light to explore what it really means to build community in the creative world. We talk about the power of vulnerability in leadership, the value of sharing knowledge instead of guarding it, and how blending different photography genres can spark unexpected growth. Chris shares how Lens and Light fosters a culture of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and curiosity—helping photographers grow not just in skill, but in mindset.

https://photographystiles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/photography.stiles/

https://lensandlightct.com/

Key Topics:

• Leadership through vulnerability: How admitting you don’t know everything fosters safer, more collaborative environments.
• Niche up, not down: Why Lens and Light intentionally blends photography genres to encourage unexpected skill-sharing.
• Community over competition: Shedding ego to build a culture where everyone grows through knowledge-sharing.

Takeaways:

• The most successful communities are built on openness, not gatekeeping.
• Cross-discipline conversations spark innovation and skill advancement.
• Everyone has something valuable to teach—and to learn—regardless of their niche or experience level.

Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/

Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story

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