Meet Shamar Rush of Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamar Rush.

Hi Shamar, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story started on the football field. I played into my sophomore year of college, but after years of injuries and endless rehab, the game was draining me more than fueling me. The cycle — lifts, meetings, practice, class, rehab — left me asking, “Is this really it? Is this how I want to spend the next four years?” It wasn’t, and I knew deep down I wasn’t just an athlete — I was an artist. Walking away from football wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Sometimes you have to be introspective enough to recognize when something you love no longer serves you, and have the courage to chase what truly does. For me, that was creating.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. Quitting was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Football had been my life since I was four, and like many athletes, I struggled with what came next. I just happened to recognize it earlier and made the change I needed to.

Telling my coaches, teammates, and everyone who saw my potential that I wanted to “take art more seriously” was rough. At the time, I only knew I loved creating — with a camera, with design, with ideas. Those moments taught me to trust my intuition, block out the noise, and chase passion even when it’s uncertain. Now, after creating for major college programs, collaborating with artists, and earning national awards, I’d say it’s worked itself out.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do a lot, so it’s hard to define under one thing. I usually just tell people, “I make stuff.” Whether it’s video, design, or photography, I don’t box myself in.

What matters most is that everything I create feels like an extension of me. My videos are built on still shots and carefully chosen music, my designs carry phrases I’d probably tell you in person, and together they reflect who I am: grounded, intentional, and always looking to offer a new perspective or appreciation.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was quiet and kept to myself a lot, not much different than I am now. I was always messing around with a camera, reading, drawing, or doing something artistic. Then I’d flip a switch and become overly competitive in athletics. Looking back, the obsessiveness I had in both really overlapped — the same drive that pushed me in sports is the same energy I pour into my creativity now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shamarrush.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamarrush1/
• Twitter: https://x.com/shamarrush
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shamarrush