Today we’d like to introduce you to Will von Bolton.
Hi Will, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Drumming was where it all began for me. In the early 2000s, I played drums in a band called Greatness in Tragedy. After a few years, I realized I enjoyed taking pictures of my friends playing music and hanging out more than actually playing music myself. In 2009, I began tour photography with Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, traveling to 38 countries and working with artists from Leon Bridges to Jesse McCartney.
I transitioned from the nomadic lifestyle in 2020, and had my first fine art show at Samuel Lynne Galleries a couple of years ago. I’ve been shooting for my project, DONTSHOOTMYFACE, an anonymous nude photo study since 2008, and preparing for my next show, which I anticipate will be early next year.
Music and photography have been a magnet of life experiences that has informed my perspective. While touring, I began jotting down little concepts that helped me. Like my friend Peter Katz’ dad always told him: when you walk into a room, ‘be positive, comfortable, and aware.’ This advice changed my life, and I realized that if one concept could have such an impact, a collection of these concepts could reprogram the way I think. This realization led me on an obsessive quest to articulate these concepts in the most efficient and magnetic ways developing an operating system for the – BecomingConscious.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Transitioning from touring was quite a challenge for me. It felt like coming back to Earth from outer space.
After, I spent two years in functional solitude, writing and traveling to 26 states in my Prius, developing Becoming Conscious – processing my experiences, and taking the time to think deeply, free from social distortion.
Learning how to be social again, supporting myself without traveling, etc all of these challenges I began to shadow honor in real time, knowing that these challenges are not forever and only informs and increases the value when you see the light again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and the developer of BecomingConscious.com, an operating system for the mind.
I began as a tour photographer for bands and have since transitioned to fine art, specializing in portraits and tasteful nudes. The goal of my project, DONTSHOOTMYFACE, is that nudity is not the first thing that comes to mind.
With Becoming Conscious, I have been developing an operating system for the mind. Recently, I launched a nonprofit to further develop and distribute these concepts through giving away books, murals, art, events, products, partnerships, and more.
I feel proud and encouraged to continue when people say I have inspired them or when someone tells me that Loophole to Happiness, my 2017 book that forms the foundation of Becoming Conscious, has impacted their life.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Just go out, meet people, spread your energy and nurture connections. Pay attention to how you felt after these interactions—did they leave me inspired or drained?
When I finished writing Loophole to Happiness, I had no idea how to publish a book. I just began meeting with people and, through a meeting with Michael Sitarzewski, there was an organic connection with my mentor, the amazing Daren Martin (darenmartin.com).
Pricing:
- Fine art / $5,000-$20,000
Contact Info:
- Website: willvonbolton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willvonbolton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willvonbolton/
Image Credits
Live Photoshoot with Roxanna Redfoot photo at Samuel Lynne Galleries by KAITLIN SARAGUSA BTS photographing SCOTT TIXIER – by RYAN PENA Photography by Will von Bolton Becoming Conscious model – BETRICE (Wallflower Agency) Ft Worth Weekly Cover – HENRY THE ARCHER BW Portrait with guitar – CASEY HESS Violinist – SCOTT TIXIER Featured in gallery – CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS (2021) with MINXIE MIMIEUX (fine art prints available willvonbolton.com) Bonsai tree – WABI SABI (2023) collaboration with RUSH URSCHEL (fine art prints available)
