Behind the Lens, Inside the Man- ScharadL

“Everything is both simpler than we can imagine,
and more complicated that we can conceive” – Goethe

When one hears the name Scharad L. the words Photographer,graphic designer and artist might come to mind. Or perhaps a list of a few of his clientele like Aura Amore Swimwear, BahaMen and Tada. But when the name Scharad Lightbourne is mentioned a lot of people don’t know that much about him; The Human Being. The Man. Without sounding Psychotic, Its like I’m two people. He defined himself as being simple yet complex at the same time. Despite his open mind and creative nature, Lightbourne says that his career makes him a very disciplined individual. “ “People like my friends tell me I’m weird because of the things I find interesting …Even though I‘m a creative person I still have to be structured and organized which kind of leaks into other aspects of my life which ultimately spells out my personality…I guess you can call it multi faceted ” Donned in a white tee, green army sweats and a red 242 trucker hat, Lightbourne maintains a confident yet laid back and comfortable appeal as he describes his lifestyle and the difference between the personalities inside him. “My day can start at whatever time I want it to. Sometimes it’s 12 midnight and I go to bed 4 or 5 am that morning, wake up at 9 and get right back to work Without sounding Psychotic, Its like I’m two people. There’s Scharad L. the brand that we see … Its almost mechanical in a way because I work on like superhuman ability,“ he said confidently before shifting into his comfortable reverie. “I think its just Scharad the person that my real friends know like my girlfriend, my parents. And that’s like the corny, nerdy, geeky…..Scharad,” he laughs. “ I try to keep the two separated… But there’s a side of me that I cut off the brand its just like ok lemme eat some Singapore noodles and watch a movie

that I like.“ With the camera in its case and the brand encasement slipped off Lightbourne admits to a love for cooking and hanging out at home for some alone time. “I’m an introverted person which is so strange to some because what I do is so in the public eye. It’s a visual art form which means people have to see it which means people like to see the artist behind it. But I’m not that at all. I love ‘me time‘…maybe it’s a phase but I’ve been like that for a long time so I don’t think it’s a phase anymore.” “Any male that’s in an industry that’s artistic will automatically be questioned about his sexuality” With every career territory there are stereotypes and normal assumptions but one that has constantly shown up when it comes to Lightbourne is his sexuality. Without a shift in attitude he gives his take on it. “I don’t want to just limit it to the Bahamian culture but it’s where we live so I’m going to deal with that,” he said as his brows furrow slightly. “Any male that’s in an industry that’s artistic will automatically be questioned about his sexuality more so when he’s really good. And there’s no denying that there are guys in the industry that are considered homosexuals…but to answer your question, No I am not a homosexual. Declining the protocol of a list of people that inspire him he admits that although he admires work from artists like David La Chapelle, Annie Lebowitz, Mario Testino and Zene Halloway he finds inspiration in other aspects of life. “I don’t know if I draw inspiration from them but….inspiration to me doesn’t just come from people it comes from experiences that I have. Good and bad and like sometimes I decide to translate it visually. “ he admits. “ One thing I think is priceless, is your ability to imagine. Because nobody imagines the same way .” “I do what I can do today and just work harder the next day.” Lightbourne, the self professed movie pirate and gadget freak, admits to not knowing exactly what the future holds for him. “I believe things are suppose to happen when they’re suppose to happen… I mean Its good to set goals for yourself but its something I consider an art or a science… Now I would love to shoot internationally for clients magazine, models or whatever I do what I can do today and just work harder the next day. He might not know what is in store for him for the next few years but Lightbourne does confess to his recent and upcoming plans about his website www.scharadl.com that drops on June 26th and also plans of a follow up to his previous art show “Kinesis” entitled “J : The study on cultural Identity in the Bahamas.”