Meet Levi Lukas | Photographer & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Levi Lukas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Levi, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creativity is what feeds my soul. When I’m able to express my artistry and my creativity, whether that be through photography, painting, or playing guitar, I feel both excited and at ease all at the same time. I’ve spent 10+ years in retail and customer service jobs, and I finally decided that I wanted to try to spend the working hours of my life doing something that left me feeling fulfilled and proud of what I was contributing to the world. To me, work has always felt like something I had to do, but pursuing a career in photography and making money while doing something I’m passionate about feels like something I get to do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although I’m still in the beginning stages of having my own photography business, getting here has definitely not been easy. I spent years trying to climb the ladder in corporate retail, wondering why I never felt satisfied. After some time reflecting on what I want my life to look like and where I want to be in ten years, I realized that no matter how high I got on that ladder, I would never leave work feeling content or at peace. This led to me re-enrolling in college to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Photography, and I’m working on setting up my own business as well as my portfolio so that I can pursue a creative career fulltime. This process has taught me to never stop reaching for things that make you happy, and to believe in yourself and trust yourself enough to take the risk to do what fulfills you and makes you feel like your time has been well-spent.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not sure if we could actually fit everything into one week, the city has so many things to experience and explore from natural areas to intimate music venues and a lively downtown area. The first spot I would take them is Horsetooth Reservoir, a large reservoir that sits in the foothills. It is a place that always inspires me, comforts me, and makes me feel like I’m home. We would walk around in Old Town, looking at all the shops and maybe even catch some live music in the square. Speaking of live music, I’d take them to a show at The Aggie or Washington’s, and we’d have to get in a few rounds of disc golf at Edora park and Budweiser’s Ultra course. For food, it has to be Music City Hot Chicken, although Young’s Vietnamese Café, Kujima Ramen, and The Mayor of Old Town are top contenders. For drinks, the city has numerous breweries to choose from, from big names where you can tour the brewery like New Belgium and Odell’s to smaller breweries like Intersect and Mythmaker. The Tuesday night food truck rally in city park, CSU’s Annual Flower Trial Garden, and going up the Poudre Canyon would also be on the list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My girlfriend is my biggest cheerleader. When I’m burnt out at my retail job or feeling uninspired creatively, she always reminds me that better things are coming and to not get stuck in my own head. My mom and my sister are also huge supports for me. They often help me see things from new perspectives and challenge me to be the best version of myself I can be.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levijacksonphotography/