Justin McEwen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Justin, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Working at my Full-time job as a Cook/line server at a Senior living facility and part-time bartender as well!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello Everyone! My name is Justin McEwen but you can call me “Sean Nation.” I’ve been a Photographer since 2012 and started my Freelance business (Saint Nation Studio) in May, 17th 2017. Saint Nation Studio was created to give everyone that professional level of service while saving money and creating memories! I was know (still kinda am) for my unique take on photos especially with “Cosplay photography” the ability to bring those characters to life is what makes my world light up in joy, sadly I’ve kinda stepped away from it due to work and losing that passion for doing those kinds of photos but hopefully I’ll get back into one day.
Currently my biggest goal is to shoot a wedding! I’m constantly working on that goal. My next biggest project is to shoot a music video one day with different cosplayers.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I was a Photographer, Cook, Bartender? I was just a black kid from nashville TN trying to find his way through life and wondering “what was I meant to be?” I wanted to be a lot of things but life had something else for me. My father was a Cook (still is), I became a Bartender because of a joke! No Lie! Everytime residents saw me mixing drinking for them (juices) they would say “You should be a Bartender Jaye?” I would reply with “Unless there’s a school for it! then sure! I’ll go and become one but They don’t make much money only in tips” until one day one of my favorite resident sat me down and had a serious talk with me about it after that I applied for a school. (That’s for another time!)
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh Many of Times! This back when I was in college and I just stared Saint Nation’s Studio. I just got some money also I thought I’d spend it on ads so I can get more people to hire me as their photographer for events and stuff but never got anything out of it. Another time was when I was invited to this art gallery by this group known as RAW Artist back in 2019 and I had sale 20 tickets, I told my friends and family about it and etc. None of my friends showed up or bought a ticket, the various groups I was apart of never showed any support luckily I was able to go but the whole time I felt like giving up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The Golden Rule! “Treat others the way you wanna be treated!” that’s a cultural value I’ll protect with my life!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
The best part about my story is that question right there because I’ve done it soo many times! but I also know at the end of it all someone at least saw me give everything my best now it’s up to them whether they wanna say something to me or not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saintnationsstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seannation2099
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintNation2099
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeanNation2099
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sean-nation
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/sean-nation-2049
