Meet Idris Sultan | Visual Artist

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

Hi Idris, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Los Angeles California born and raised. Coming from a creative household, who I am today makes a lot of sense. I’ve always been very imaginative and energetic and that has led me to take up hobbies like playing drums, skating, and writing. Music has been a big part of my life since I was born. Playing drums and performing around LA has been crucial in my ability to stay seemingly calm under pressure. A pivotal point in my childhood began in the 7th grade when I got a scholarship to attend the Stella Adler Academy of Acting. The program was for teens and lasted a semester. In this program we learned the Adler Technique which is about bringing your imagination to the character. After that, I knew I wanted to make films. Learning and practicing acting at the time was cool and all, but I knew I wanted a deeper relationship with the craft of film making. I wanted to know how the cameras, lighting, sound, and overall production worked. I wanted to be a name in the credit scroll of my favorite film. All of these events are what drove me to pick up a camera and learn all there is to the technical side of photography and motion pictures. I got my first camera after I graduated High school in 2019 and with it I went around taking photos of friends, nature and anything that so happen to grab my attention. I started taking photography more serious and in doing so I found my eye. My dad had a 35mm film camera that he bought in the 70’s and I got it fixed up to take photos with. Film is mad expensive so taking photos on film helped me pay attention to what I value in a image because I wasn’t gonna pay all of that money for bad photos. In doing this, my digital photos started feeling more focused and I use what I learned till this day in photo and video work alike. I’m a believer in reading the manual. Being able to use and push my resources and environment to the best of their abilities allows me the room to manipulate it past it’s perceived boundaries. And in turn, brings me the opportunity to exceed beyond set expectations and goals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Ive been going through a shift where im finally more focused and capable for videography work just as much as photography work. It felt like a long time getting to this point but im happy for the journey that I’ve been on. I was Director of Photography for the first time on a short film my friend wrote as well as editor. It got me many good reviews and more video gigs. Several music video shoots and brand shoots as well as in production for my own short film for a festival. The hardest but most important part for me about being a creative is saying yes to the things that scare us. Many times my lack of confidence has gotten in the way of where I want to be in this field. Imposter syndrome is something that I see as a real issue amongst many who think they aren’t good enough or lack experience. When really, The whole point is to try new things to gain the experience. 2022 has been great and I’ve been the most bold I’ve ever been. Even doing this interview has been an exercise in my willingness to jump.

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.
There’s only so much outside of film and photography that excites me. My absolute favorite thing to do is skateboard so if it’s not skate related or work related I’m staying indoors. However, there are many fun things to do for experience sake. If I had to show my friends around for a week in LA I have to give out that tourist energy they are bound to get during their stay. They have to go to all the places they’ve only seen on GTA including The Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, Melrose, Beverly Hills etc. Once that’s over I would take them out to where a significant mark of our culture resides. We are stopping for food at Simply Wholesome, heading to Leimert Park on a Sunday for the drum circles, sage and vibes. Maybe get them hip to sea moss and other must haves. They gotta stop in Inglewood to see the area and visit Randy’s donuts of course. Little Belize has fire dishes they are going to love. I’m assuming in this scenario my best friend skates so we are definitely hitting all the major skate spots both street and park. Venice, Stoner, West LA courthouse, Westchester and so many more. And of course we have to go to Universal Studios to do the studio tour that I love. Six flags is another non negotiable, even if they don’t like roller coasters. This trip is mad expensive but since it’s a hypothetical we will also go to Disneyland.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my parents for raising me. I wouldn’t be who I am without their guidance and example. Allowing me to learn important life lessons that I take with me daily and allowing me to hone in on my interest. I also want to make a shoutout to everyone who can vouch for me as a creative artist. Being a young black man in this space come with its irritations. People projecting who they want me to be vs who they think I am while not giving space to my true self.

Website: https://idrissultan.photography.

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWbQVmKZvN_sw3mAXXzviw