BEHIND THE LENS: WESLEY LEWIS
MEET WESLEY LEWIS
Meet Wesley Lewis, the visionary creative behind our campaign shoots. From his early days immersed in painting to his current role in shaping the visual identity of Merchants, Wez’s approach is as thoughtful as it is inspiring.
We caught up with Wez to dive into his creative process, explore the influences that shape his work, and uncover how he brings our campaigns to life with authenticity and purpose.
WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY & CREATIVE DIRECTION?
“From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about painting and viewing the world through a creative lens total right brain vibes.
I’d say the person who sparked my interest was my uncle, a painter, who definitely influenced me early on.”
WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE, FROM CONCEPT TO EXECUTION?
“Let’s just say it arrives when it arrives. I firmly believe creatives need to be bored to create So, I spend a lot of time daydreaming, and often, just before I fall asleep (annoying, I know). It eventually turns into a structured concept, then a moodboard, and finally a shoot. I’ve had moments when a song or a random idea sparks something, and I work backward to build a concept rarely works, but when it does, it’s a vibe.”
HOW DOES YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU WORK?
“The ocean is a massive influence in my work. It shows up in subtle ways - like little glints in the eyes or backlit shots. It all stems from my days shooting surfing a few years back, and those experiences definitely laid the groundwork for how I approach my work today.”
WHAT'S A SKILL OR PERSPECTIVE YOU'VE DEVELOPED RECENTLY THAT HAS ELEVATED YOUR WORK?
“Make art for yourself, and the right people will follow—this mindset has influenced both my photography and the music I create—mostly female-oriented stuff. That’s why I love Merchants - it gives me the creative freedom to dive into uncharted waters. David Bowie once said, “If you feel like you’re drowning, you’re learning,” and I’m all for that perspective”
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CREATIVE BLOCKS OR MOMENTS OF DOUBT? DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS OR PRACTICES THAT BRING YOU BACK INTO YOUR FLOW?
“When I hit a block, I take a step back and reassess. I’m always creating, so it’s pretty obvious when I’m not in a flow state. My rituals? Music, I listen to tunes that make me feel everything - pain, love, sadness. It’s like hitting the reset button. If that doesn’t work, I turn to breathwork or just dive deeper into my mind.”
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM PROJECT, EITHER FOR THE BRAND OR PERSONALLY?
“I’ve got a few ideas up my sleeve that I can’t mention yet - I don’t want to jinx anything. But let’s just say we’ve got some seriously cool projects in the pipeline, and they’re going to be a little futuristic. Picture Tron: The Legacy meets Dune - that’s the biggest clue I can give you.”
OUTSIDE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, WHAT OTHER PASSIONS/HOBBIES SHAPE YOUR LIFE & INSPIRE YOUR WORK?
“I love making art - especially cyanotypes - and I’m super passionate about music I run a music label in South Africa called ‘Tomorrow’s Monday Records’ (@tmrwsmndy on Instagram) my best friend and I create music and DJ together, and our first release is dropping on January 11th.
WHAT EXCITES YOUR MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MERCHANTS OF THE SUN?
“I believe Merchants has the team and vision to totally change how people see jewellery brands and e-commerce. We’ve got good hearts, good intentions, and we want to create art. The transparency within the team here really let’s me create freely, and those possibilities feel endless. What excites me most is that I know we’re going to create something incredible in 2025. Keep your eyes peeled—we’re just getting started.
