An Eclectic Story
Steven Harewood
My journey as a creative entrepreneur has been diverse and exciting, yet random and richly varied. Drawing knowledge from different sources, backgrounds, and moments, I've found that the irregular path I've taken to get to this point, has given me an unusually wide range of experience in Media, Entertainment, and Events. Half of the time I had no idea what I was doing, but as life would have it, it was my job to find out. Freelancing has given me such a wide range of knowledge, that I truly believe I can do anything, and do it well.
Take a look at my visual resume below as I blend diverse elements of my story to create a unique and multifaceted depiction of what makes me highly qualified.
At a Glance
Photographer - Event Coordinator - Filmmaker - Studio Owner - Author - Influencer
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A Decade of Experience
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- A Self Published Memoir
After studying for a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I pursued a dynamic and creative career path that allowed me to explore my passions for storytelling and media. I began as an on-camera personality while simultaneously writing my first novel—a 220+ page memoir that vividly chronicled the life and experiences of a teenager navigating dating and relationships in New York City.
The memoir, paired with a short film, quickly became a community favorite, earning widespread acclaim among my peers. To celebrate its release, I organized a book signing event that doubled as a photo gallery, showcasing work by local photographers under the theme Dating in NYC. The event highlighted my ability to merge creative vision with event planning, resulting in an engaging and memorable experience for attendees.
TOAUW - Short Film
Recognizing that written content can be challenging to market to a young internet audience drawn to visual media, I took an innovative approach by producing a promotional short film to complement my novel.
Taking on multiple roles, I wrote the script, directed, cast, scouted locations, acted, and edited the film—all on a minimal budget.
The result was a compelling project that resonated with viewers. Upon its release in 2017, the short film garnered over 15,000 organic views, demonstrating my ability to adapt creative content for broader engagement and successfully connect with diverse audiences.
Let Me Tell You A Tale
The Cultr Podcast
Building on the momentum from the release of my book, I embraced new challenges by developing my own podcast. This journey ultimately led me to co-host a dynamic, 4-person podcast, where we produced weekly episodes for nearly a year.
During this time, I gained hands-on experience with recording equipment, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and audio editing software. This role not only sharpened my technical skills but also deepened my ability to collaborate, engage audiences, and manage the creative process in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Short Film - In His Shoes
With my growing knowledge and passion for storytelling, I transitioned into Directing, driven by an unshakable vision for a new short film inspired by a musical number. Fueled by this creative spark, I repeated the end-to-end filmmaking process I had mastered with my first project. I assembled a dedicated team of eight and led them to upstate New York to bring the concept to life.
While the project was a success in many respects, I found myself somewhat unsatisfied with the cinematography. This realization ignited a desire to deepen my skills behind the camera, motivating me to learn the art and technical craft of photography and videography firsthand.
In His Shoes - SIJHT Studios
©Steven Harewood
The Taxi Detour
While completely unrelated to my Journey in a conventional sense, My two-year stint as a Taxi and Uber Driver gave me a unique perspective on the city, and broadened my horizons in terms of my storytelling ability. Telling stories about the insane situations I found myself in, led to growth on my social media platforms as well as sharpened my interpersonal skills. Meeting hundreds of customers
was a great networking experience, and the patience I obtained while sitting in Midday Manhattan traffic, has transformed my life immensely.
A Biographical Blip
In 2018, I was commissioned to write a biography for a friend's aging father, a Vietnam Veteran and former member of the Black Panther Party. Over the course of a year, I conducted in-depth interviews, recorded and transcribed our conversations, and meticulously crafted a detailed and authentic retelling of his life story.
Using Bookwright, a professional novel formatting tool, I combined his rich narrative with archival family photos to create a meaningful and visually compelling keepsake. The project culminated in the production and delivery of two beautifully printed physical editions of his story, preserving his legacy for generations to come.
Photography Beginnings
In an unexpected turn of events, I discovered photography shortly after leaving my previous role. What began as casually borrowing my mother’s camera quickly turned into a full-fledged career pursuit. The first few months were dedicated entirely to learning—through hands-on experience, shadowing seasoned professionals, free shoots, and diving into YouTube tutorials.
All the effort and raw determination paid off when I was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, marking a pivotal moment in my career...
The Joe Budden Tour
Within 5 months of starting my photography career, I was called to go on tour with the number 1 Podcast in the Nation. Tasked with capturing imagery of the Joe Budden Podcast on the road and during performances, I went on 4 tours with them in 2019 before parting ways at the end of their seasonal run. With a new accolade under my belt, freelance work picked up tremendously.
Photography Proficiency
Here’s a polished and compelling version of your passage:
In the four years since launching my photography career, I’ve had the privilege of working with renowned brands and organizations such as Lexus, Arc'teryx, EZRA, Camille La Vie, CNN, Puma, Miss Jessie's, and the WNBA. My portfolio also includes collaborations with newspapers, magazines, Olympians, celebrities, politicians, and other prominent public figures, alongside numerous local clients.
My work spans a diverse range of photography styles, including portraits, event coverage, landscapes, travel, product photography, and fashion shoots. This variety reflects my adaptability and commitment to delivering exceptional results across different creative and professional contexts.
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Videography
Once I mastered the capabilities of my camera in photography, I seamlessly transitioned into videography. My passion for visual storytelling and the arts made the shift feel natural, and I quickly found myself being booked for both photography and videography projects simultaneously.
As I honed my videography skills, I began attracting increasingly prominent clients. To date, I’ve edited over 50 client videos, gaining proficiency in the three most popular video editing software while staying aware of social-first media practices. This dual expertise allows me to deliver compelling visual content tailored to diverse audiences and platforms.
The Pandemic brought new ideas
As the pandemic's reign of terror came to a close, I noticed a growing demand among my peers for safe and inviting social spaces to gather. In 2021, I decided to meet this need by investing my savings and a PPP loan to open "On The Low", an events and production space.
With no prior experience or formal coaching, my business partner and I transformed a 750-square-foot room in the under-the-radar neighborhood of Sunset Park into a thriving venue. Through strategic planning, creativity, and a relentless work ethic, we rose to become one of the top-rated spaces on Peerspace, making On The Low a standout destination for events and productions.
#1 in 6 Months
In Spring 2022, my business partner and I received exciting news from Peerspace, the leading platform for studio and event space rentals:
"On The Low" had become the number one event space out of over 1,500 studios and venues in the New York Metropolitan area.
This recognition led to an incredible opportunity to share my experiences when I was invited to speak at Peerspace’s Company Offsite in Brooklyn, NY. Three other top-performing hosts and I talked about key tactics we used to reach the top. It was an honor to represent our success story and connect with industry leaders while highlighting what made On The Low a standout in such a competitive market.
SIJHT STUDIO
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My latest venture, SIJHT Studio, has been an exciting journey of determination and vision. After successfully navigating New York City's challenging commercial real estate market, I secured a two-room studio in the heart of Brooklyn.
The front space is a versatile area used primarily for photo and video production and occasionally for small events. Listed on Peerspace, it serves as a resource for local artists looking for an accessible and professional environment. The back room is currently rented to a songwriter and musician I’ve collaborated with before, fostering further creative synergy.
In addition to rentals, I occasionally host coworking meetups with friends, creating an environment that promotes collaboration and amplifies talent. My ultimate vision for SIJHT Studio is to establish it as a creative hub—an accessible resource for my peers and a thriving, profitable enterprise for myself.
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Graphic Design
While developing the ATMOS brand, I encountered an unexpected but critical need: strong, distinctive graphics to promote my events, myself, and the brand in a way that resonated instantly. After working with several designers and feeling unsatisfied with the results, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
I taught myself the basics of graphic design and created the ATMOS logos, along with every flyer the brand has used to date. This hands-on approach not only ensured the visuals aligned with my vision but also gave the brand a consistent and recognizable identity.
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ATMOS'
Over the years, I discovered I had a knack for getting people together. Starting in 2014, I hosted events somewhat consistently. At first, it was just for the love of the game, but then it became a calling—a purpose to say the least. My time with "On The Low" really cemented my love for creating safe spaces and communities.
While living in Barbados, I envisioned taking this passion further by developing a cohesive event series—a unifying "umbrella" under which diverse experiences and connections could flourish.
ATMOS' Grows
Since hosting our first event in Spring 2023, we’ve welcomed over 2,000 guests, generated tens of thousands in food and bar revenue, and built a steadily growing following. With a mix of monthly and biweekly events, we continue to expand our market share and solidify our presence in the industry.
Our latest offerings include intimate biweekly DJ sets, featuring both emerging talent and established names, creating memorable experiences for our audience while fostering community and connection.
Social Media and Me!
Through my various creative and entrepreneurial endeavors, I’ve built a dedicated social media following of over 5,000! This audience reflects a diverse network of people who have connected with me across different stages of my life and career. What stands out is their ongoing engagement, regardless of the project or focus—showcasing not only their trust in my authenticity but also my ability to maintain meaningful connections. This following represents a built-in audience that I've leveraged to amplify content, promote events, and drive engagement.
SIJHT STUDIO x ATMOS'
My newest project combining ATMOS' and SIJHT Studio, is ATMOS' HOSTS - A platform for DJs to play culturally relevant yet experimental DJ sets, and express themselves.
The ATMOS' brand and the Studio both get a boost with the intimate ATMOS' HOSTS events, because it invites people to interact with the space on a more frequent basis, and truly allows the audience to connect on a human level.
WHAT'S NEXT?
As I reflect on my years of experience and my deep passion for the arts, events, and creative industries, I’m excited to contribute to projects and teams that are making a meaningful impact. I’m seeking opportunities to expand my expertise, whether through gainful employment, partnerships with collaborators, support from investors, or involvement in incubators that foster growth and innovation.
With a strong foundation of skills, intellect, and resourcefulness, I’m eager to bring value to a dynamic team or project. If you believe my background aligns with your vision or needs, I’d love to connect and explore how we can work together. Please feel free to reach out via email.
I look forward to hearing from you!