Meet Sumner Howells | Photographer

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

Hi Sumner, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For as long as I can remember I have been creating something. I was always excelling in art classes, stealing my dad or godfather’s cameras, editing pictures on picsart, even
making potions while waiting for my horseback riding lessons. I played the piano and absolutely adored singing. All the things I loved doing were things that some people would consider “impractical.” I knew that everyone is good at different things and although I had average grades in my regular classes I always had some of the highest grades in my art classes. For me, it would have been impractical to not do something in the arts.

Senior year of high school my photography teacher asked me what I was going to do after graduation. I mentioned the things that I was considering which were nursing or dental assisting, this woman looked at me like she had seen a ghost. She then explained that I should consider going to art school, which for some reason never crossed my mind. So I got my portfolio ready and took all the steps I needed and applied to CCAD. Not only was I accepted, I also received a generous scholarship! This surprised me considering the score I got on my ACT. This accomplishment showed me that I was on the right path for my future. I had already started my photography business taking photos of families and seniors around town.

Art has always been the number one constant in my life. Every time I think of a challenging time in my life I remember all of the art pieces that came out of them. Art and photography have always helped me find the beauty in life and even the sadness. It’s the only thing in this crazy world that has always helped me make sense of it all.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is almost always an expression of something I have felt or made up to a sense in my head. Everyone always told me I would daydream a lot, but little did they know that daydreaming was a safe space for me. No one could hurt me there and I was experiencing a lot of hurt in many years of my childhood. I found a similar safe space however when creating art. I started out mostly drawing and painting, and I am trying to find a way to incorporate that back into my photo work a bit. I get excited by the world around me and the way that I get to see it.

Professionally speaking…that’s definitely been a struggle for me. I’m working on figuring it out through all of the hard times that deciding to take an alternative career route brings, I have been able to find it in myself to never give up on making art and putting it out there.

Although social media can be awful for a multitude of reasons, it has also been what I’ve used to build my foundation. I was 15 when I made a separate art account which was once “scumography” and is now my “sumnerhowells” account. Regardless of the cringe, it was truly the start of everything for me. People at school would talk down and say I’m dreaming but I never gave up my art.

My art has taught me so much about myself, it’s helped me develop a personal style, a backbone, a ton of relationships and a future that I look forward to living. Which is all I could have asked for as a kid. My brand is all about becoming the person you always dreamed of and kind of saying “f off” to those that don’t understand it. I get to make people feel like movie stars when I take their pictures, and a lot of these people would have never gotten to experience something like that in their lives. I get to create things that make me feel fulfilled while making people feel good about themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I am definitely an interesting person to ask this considering my friends and I would go into random cornfields and play with ouija boards for fun growing up. I am personally a huge fan of quiet spots that make me slow down and feel small. The top of the Leveque tower parking garage is my all time favorite spot, whether it’s to just chill and see a beautiful view or take some pictures, it’s always a solid spot. You can park right on the street in front of it at the meters and take the elevator up or pay whatever the fee and drive up there. I personally love the elevator because it has a glass side that has a gorgeous view of the Scioto Mile while on the way up.

Next would be Dodge Park off of Sullivant Ave. right outside of downtown. This park has the best skyline view of the skyline and you can just sit there and chill while the whole city keeps going around you. Side note: sushi always tastes better here.

Last non typical spot is the Gates of Hell which is located next to Lucky’s Market on High Street. This is where people go to do maybe some questionable things but as long as you mind your business you’ll be fine. It’s basically an underground water run off tunnel that has a bunch of graffiti and some pretty landscapes surrounding it.

As far as food, three of my favorite spots are Los Agaves Taco Truck, Lavash Cafe and Pho Asian Noodle House and Grill. You really can’t go wrong with any item off of any of their menus.

The bar scene in Columbus is something I just recently started exploring more in the past year or so. Some spots I like to frequent are Ace of Cups, Local Bar, Ledo’s (sometimes cursed vibes but cheap drinks and two pool tables,) Bodega and the Gogo for dancing. I like to check out the karaoke nights around town too. Ace is Sunday, Local Bar is Wednesday and Ledo’s is Friday, just to name a few.

There’s also a ton of art in Columbus. We have a spectacular art museum near CCAD’s campus that allows folks in for free on Sundays. Also places like 400 W Rich St and 700 Bryden are places where a bunch of local artists have studios and sometimes have markets featuring those makers. There are also tons of market pop-ups around the city.

I try to do as many fun things around Columbus as I can, but after 24 years here I am totally itching to experience some new scenery. I’ve started crafting my master plan to escape to L.A. by the end of 2023, so keep an eye out for me in the future!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly there are so many people.

I want to of course start with my parents for always supporting my decision to make photography my career. Also want to thank my godparents for always pushing me to keep creating.

Thanks to all of my friends growing up who let me dress them up in thrifted outfits and take them to the middle of nowhere to practice taking photos. Shoutout to my ex that bought me my camera I use to this day and all of the people that helped me heal my heart and made my world overflow with love since. An extremely honorable mention being Ethan Benavidez who has also developed his own photography career alongside mine and inspired me in a million ways. Ethan has been one of the best friends I could have ever asked for.

All of the people that have constantly supported my work and lifted me up in any sense. I am so overwhelmed by the amount of love I have received over the years. I am so blessed in the people category so this one is super hard for me to answer, so to keep it short and sweet I will end it there. I could perhaps write a 30 page book about the people I love. I’m a cancer, what can I say?

Website: https://www.sumnerhowells.com

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

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lilscumivert2.0