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

Hi Weston, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

There is a certain level of risk in everything we do and with a career it’s one of the biggest risks we take because we’re committing ourselves to pursuing a life that doesn’t exist yet. We start out hoping for the best and trying to mitigate the unknown, but the unknown is what risk is and it’s scary. No one starts a career wanting to fail but there are definitely those that play it safe and those who are more willing to put it all out there. I’m fairly conservative and believe I usually stay somewhere in the middle and when I look back at my life and career choices, I can identify when I took the secure road or the risky one. The risky choices provided some of the greatest rewards and opportunities to advance, but it’s true about the opposite as well, because the risky times that didn’t work out were also some of the most devastating moments in life. I’m happy I took the risk because I’d prefer to know that I at least tried instead of playing it safe all the time and never knowing. Being a professional photographer in a time where creating photos is fairly easy because of advances in technology and having technology being at our finger tips is not easy and is a risky career. I tried to remove some of that risk in my life by going to school, working with mentors and connecting with clients and others in my industry that could help me advance in my career. It’s still risky and it’s still a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love creating content that has a purpose. There are a lot of pretty pictures in life and artists who can take a photo, but for me being able to visually narrate a moment that expresses a concept, illustrate an idea or shape a scene is not something everyone can do. Producing content that is artistic and commercial is what keeps me endeavoring to find more clients, work with other artists and showing the world my point of view of how I see life. I don’t think we need MORE in life, we just need more quality in our life and I hope that my images represent that. Being an artist/photographer is not easy. You’re only remembered for your last picture and if you don’t produce something of worth then it won’t be remembered. If you don’t keep producing, then someone who can, will step right up and take your place. There is always an internal battle happening. For me success comes with being myself and creating what I want to create and when I get recognition for it, it helps provide the encouragement to know I’m doing the right thing. All I hope for is the opportunity and to be given a chance to show what and how I can create something. Creative content that elevates an idea is needed, it encourages and promotes new concepts that need to be shared. I’m looking forward to working with others and creating ideas this year that motivates others.

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.
This is a tough question because there are a lot of options of things to do in San Diego and if Covid wasn’t around, this is what I’d do. In the mornings I would do one of the following: Go surfing (Grandview, Beacons, Carlsbad Campgrounds, Cardiff) Go for a run near my home in Carlsbad and Encinitas. Grab some donuts or breakfast at Pipes in Cardiff. Exploring some morning light with my camera. In the afternoons: Cruise down the 101 and grab a burrito from a few of my favorite spots (Robertos, Juanitas, The Taco Stand, Cessy’s, Pedros). Hang out in La Jolla or downtown San Diego. Walking through Balboa Park and visit the MOPA Gallery. Hiking in Torry Pines. In the evening: Hanging out on the beach watching the sunset around a fire and talking about old times and making up stories with my friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been my biggest support in my career. With out a wife who pushed me to pursue may passion as a career, I would never have found my style of photography, meet new friends and clients I work with and receive the awards and recognition I have received, including this opportunity of being interviewed. Recently I overheard my son talking to one of his friends in our garage and my son was telling him that he had a famous dad because my pictures have been used around the world, been published in magazines and books and have been posted on billboards along the side of the road. I don’t consider this entitles me to being famous but hearing how my son describe me was one of greatest accomplishments and awards I have ever received. My father also introduced me to art from Arnold Friberg and Norman Rockwell when I was young, and I see that these images have shaped my own work.

Website: https://www.westonfuller.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westonfuller/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westonfuller/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestonFullerPhotography
Other: https://www.behance.net/westonfuller

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.