Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Cleveland.
Joshua, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love for my film and photography grew from my involvement in the Atlanta dance community. I started as a dancer and took up film and photography to capture the local dance events and to create visuals with other dancers in the choreography and battle community. My love for capturing movement and expression grew, and I began creating visuals, music videos and capturing events like One Music Fest, A3C. I’ve had the opportunity to capture artists like Lecrae, Zaytoven, Lloyd, Outkast, and other local Atlanta artist through the medium of photography and film. My love for my art has also evolved from my love for God and my desire to help the oppressed, marginalized, and the unloved tell their stories. This principle has also translated into me moving toward short films and documentary work and partnering with an organization in the local Atlanta area to create films that discuss topics of injustice. I’ve had films screen at the Tribeca film festival in New York and Terminus film festival here in Atlanta.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle I’ve had in my journey is to create visuals and films that have substance and create films that have commercial appeal but also produced innovative visuals that discuss topics like God, injustice, and race. I desire to shift stereotypical narratives of black people by creating films that have black lawyers, doctors, and increase positive representations of blacks in the film.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Joshua Cleveland Media story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is centered on capturing individuals through the mediums of film and photography and forming visuals that push for innovative ways to tell the stories of people who can’t tell their own story. I desire to form a creative network and platform for myself and other individuals who are broken and lost and desire to share and seek purpose through artistic expression. I specialize in music videos, short films, and documentary work and live event capturing. What set’s me apart is that my art is not as much about me, as much as it is about inspiring other artists around me to honestly and genuinely tell their story in the most creative way possible.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck hasn’t as much played a role in my career as prayer has and hard work has. Prayer has let me love people through my art and just genuine conversation. It’s helped me stay strong during difficult times. Prayer has allowed me to connect with strangers and inspire them, allowing me to step into doors and opportunities that I couldn’t have formed on my own strength.
Contact Info:
- Email: joshclevemedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: @joshcleve_media
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