At one point or another, everyone has thought about turning their hobby into a career. But doing so requires some risk, some guts, and some talent. Luckily, for Sylven Lamar, he has all three.
Lamar has always had a passion for taking pictures. In 2007 he went to DODD Camera picked up a NIKON D40 and started playing with taking different types of pictures. After a couple of years of learning the art of photography, he decided to turn it into a career.
“It got to the point where so many people were asking me to take their photos, that I decided to start charging for it and I turned my hobby into a business,” Lamar said.
And business has been good. Lamar has experience taking photos in a wide range of areas including:
• Graduation
• Wedding
• Modeling
• Corporate
• Staged scenes
• Principle photography for films
• Cover photos
CODE M reached out to him, and he has been the director of photography for the magazine since 2022. He has taken most of the cover photos for the magazine and shoots on location when the company has events or conferences.
“There’s nothing like working in a field where you get to create and invent. No day is ever the same and I really enjoy getting to meet all the wonderful people that I have the pleasure of working with,” Lamar said.
His primary business is taking senior portraits and maternity photos. He also does real estate photos for all the realtors in the area.
“With me being able to take photos for so many different types of businesses and people, I had to purchase the right equipment to become as mobile as possible.”
Lamar will often bring the set to the location. He has the ability to create the right lighting whenever needed and he can also create meaningful backdrops at his studio located in Cleveland Heights.
“I got the studio so I can create the right backgrounds and lighting when needed. I have clients that come to me, and we’re able to take their ideas and bring them to life using the studio,” Lamar explained.
In his spare time Lamar has become a green thumb by growing his own food in his own garden. The love for growing his own food has led Lamar on a fitness journey to get healthier and stay in shape.
“I really want to help people to understand that they can become healthy if they grow and eat foods from their own garden,” Lamar said.
His wide range of areas that he focuses on has allowed him the lifestyle to spend quality time with his kids.
The father of three is creating memories for his own family and for his clients by capturing them at their best and brightest. And that’s a picture-perfect scenario! ●
