The 10 Minute Personal Brand Kickstart (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/personalbrandkickstart
Check out Motion Array here:
https://motionarray.com/?artlist_aid=the505podcast_2970&utm_source=affiliate_p&utm_medium=the505podcast_2970&utm_campaign=the505podcast_2970
What’s up, Rock Nation! Today we welcome the elusive and ultra talented Karl Shakur - a creator who went from sleeping in his car to shooting campaigns for Bugatti, hitting a million followers, and building one of the most distinct visual styles on Instagram.
Karl takes us deep into how he turned a $70K brand deal into proof-of-concept for his entire career, why he left architecture behind, and how he now approaches content like a business - with a 6-pillar strategy built to grow depth, not just followers. We talk about the balance between personal and commercial work, how to build longevity as a creative, and why injecting yourself into your work is the ultimate differentiator.
If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or content creator trying to turn your art into a full-time career - this is the blueprint.
Check out Karl here:
https://www.instagram.com/karl_shakur/
https://www.youtube.com/ @KarlShakur
SUSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://the505podcast.ac-page.com/rock-report
The Creator Pricing Guide - The No BS Guide to Pricing Your Creative Services
Coupon Code: ROCKNATION10 gets you $10 off at checkout for the boulders
https://courses.the505podcast.com/pricing-guide
Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/xgEAzkqAvs
More Free Products:
Our 5 Positioning Tips to Land Bigger Clients (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/5positioningtips
6 Questions to ask on Every Sales Call (FREE): https://the505podcast.courses/6questionsfordiscoverycall
COP THE BFIGGY "ESSENTIALS" SFX PACK HERE:
https://courses.thecreatorcoach.com/BFIGGYSFXPACK
KG Presets Vol. 1
https://www.kostasgarcia.com/store-1/p/kglightroompresets
Kostas’ Amazon Storefront:
https://amzn.to/3GhId25
15% OFF Prism Lens FX with code: KOSTAS15
https://bit.ly/42sNdej
Timestamps:
0:00 - Trailer
0:36 - Intro
1:25 - The $70,000 brand deal that changed his life
3:04 - How he used the money
4:15 - Proving his parents wrong
7:53 - Why brands pay Karl so much
11:54 - Where Karl’s love for storytelling came from
13:32 - Motion Array
14:19 - Karl’s creative strategy
18:35 - Does gear matter?
20:05 - How Karl pushes his creative limits
22:05 - Karl’s insane instagram growth
25:28 - Karl’s 6 pillars of content
29:32 - Building depth with your audience
30:53 - Karl is hyper competitive with content
34:21 - Why You Have to Keep Reinventing as a Creator
35:13 - Karl’s fitness routine
38:10 - Tips for Instagram success
40:41 - Why Showing You Is the Key to Standing Out
42:35 - Brands Want You, Not Just Your Art
44:48 - How Karl Lands & Delivers High-End Brand Deals
47:00 - The importance of collaboration
48:37 - The misconception about being a full time creator
50:02 - Karl’s favorite piece of creative work
53:19 - Karl’s new project - The Shkr.club
1:00:53 - Perfectionism is a creative killer
1:03:38 - The Hidden Cost of Chasing Your Dream
1:05:46 - Advice to your 18 year old self
If you liked this episode please send it to a friend and take a screenshot for your story! And as always, we'd love to hear from you guys on what you'd like to hear us talk about or potential guests we should have on.
DM US ON IG: (Our DM's are always open!)
Bfiggy: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/
TikTok:
Bfiggy: https://www.tiktok.com/bfiggy/
Kostas: https://www.tiktok.com/kostasgarcia/
