#9 Jerre Stead: 'I have chosen to see the beauty in the world'

The Sixth Power is a new column dedicated to emerging or established influencers. Each week we give you a new interview with an influencer. This ninth post is dedicated to Jerre Stead.

Hostelsclub's blog is hosting a new column dedicated to influencers, entitled 'The Sixth Power'. We are going to hear what they have to say, listen to their stories and discover their way of life. Many people would love to be like them, and influencers are one of the latest and most coveted professions. Their following, in some cases, exceeds the influence of the Heads of State. The Californian Kourtney Kardashian with 67.3 million followers, has more followers than the number of votes that led Donald Trump to the post of President of the United States of America in 2016. The Italian Chiara Ferragni, before having 15 million followers on Instagram and worldwide fame, was just a beautiful blonde girl. They're millionaires, but what exactly do they do? We'll find out, giving a voice to travel bloggers in particular. It is certain that their ability to influence is such that international brands rely on them by showering them with gold. Ten years ago, brands turned to televisions and newspapers, columns of modern media power. Now they rely on influencers. Television was called the fifth power, but is the sixth power influencers? From this question, the title of this column was born. There will be many good tips for those with attentive ears. On the other hand, it seems that it doesn't take much to become an influencer: a social profile, a little work and lots of imagination.

#9 Jerre Stead: 'I have chosen to see the beauty in the world'

Jerre Stead is a photographer, Jerre Stead is a dreamer. Just flick through his Instagram profile (@jerre_stead) to realize that this young influencer has something more than the usual protagonists of the social scene: he has a story, a dream, a message to share. The world becomes art through the lens of his camera: nature absorbs the colours of the stars, the sun meets the ocean and the sky comes to life. Jerre Stead pursues sunsets, undertakes adventures to the edge of the earth and faces victories with the same smile with which he accepts defeats. He finds complexity in simplicity, invents and rediscovers himself every day, and he decided to share his interior and exterior journey, where you will see his willingness to open his eyes and welcome the truth of the world. This ninth edition of our column is dedicated to Jerre Stead, to show you that social media can still be synonymous with authenticity and that being yourself is always the winning move.

Only one true protagonist emerges from your photographs: the world. What is the message, the vision that gives voice to your talent?

I only want to show one thing to those who follow me: you can find beauty everywhere. Beyond the uncertainty and confusion that surrounds us is a world of wonder that awaits us with open arms, so just leave everything behind. It is all about making a choice: we are fortunate to be masters of our lives, it's up to us to decide how to live it. I have chosen to see the beauty of the world and it is thanks to photography that today I can express my vision without fear or restrictions.

Tell us how you started the journey that brought you behind the lens of the camera.

The story of how I became a photographer is marked by tragedy and, paradoxically, beauty. Years ago, when I was part of the Marine Corps, I suffered a serious accident that left me with a broken neck and I had to start my life over. The months in the hospital seemed endless, it was one of the most difficult periods of my life. It was only when I took the camera in my hand that things began to improve. In all honesty, photography saved me, and it allowed me to focus on a brighter future and pointed the way to inner healing. So today, when everything becomes difficult, I remember the choice I made to live in the name of positivity and I go back to look at the world with new eyes.

So we can say that you draw inspiration from everything around you.

Of course, being surrounded by extremely creative and spontaneous people like my friends, for example, is crucial to stay motivated and focused on what I love. It is, however, my inner dimension to which I owe the greatest moments of inspiration, much more than the outside world. If it were not for emotions that I feel every day, positive or negative, I don't think I would ever have had the ability or the energy to give life to the images in my mind. I let my feelings guide me and, consequently, it is precisely in the most difficult moments that the desire to create becomes an urgent need, something impossible to ignore. The result? The reality that I show through my photographs reflects the world I have inside me 100%, without filters.

Be yourself, always: do you think this is the key to your success?

What I know for sure is that I see many people forgetting their principles and pretending to be something that they are not, but the strategy of "fake it till you make it" can only take you to a certain point. The reality is that if you don't believe with all of yourself in your lifestyle and in your choices, if you do not love what you do, sooner or later the mask will fall and everything will come to an end.

Yet it can't be easy allowing your work to be judged by other people.

Having the opportunity to get my photographs on the screen of 95,000 people in a few minutes cancels out any insecurity and doubt. I receive a lot of messages from followers who tell me how one of my photographs helped them get through a difficult day with a smile. Having the power to entertain and help others is what fuels my creativity. All this without forgetting that Instagram has become a real springboard for new job opportunities for me over the last year, and has allowed me to travel the world as I have always dreamed of.

Speaking of travel, have you ever visited a place that turned out to be completely different from what you imagined?

I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I landed in Indonesia; today I can affirm that it is, without a doubt, the most beautiful country in the world. When I went to the islands I also discovered the incredible kindness of the locals, with the Sulawesi and Balinese.

We promote the culture of hostels and support the idea of a 360 ° experiential journey. What do you think of the hostels?

The biggest advantage of staying in a hostel is finding yourself in an environment where everyone has a passion for travel and is ready to collectively share new experiences. It is a real lifestyle!

Finally, two words about the future. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Ten years ago I would never had thought that I would be sitting here today, in a resort in the Maldives, to tell my experience on social media. I don't know what to expect from the future, but one thing is certain: I found my voice, my goal, and I'm not going to change it.

This section will be translated into the main languages among the 26 of our blog. If you are an influencer you want to tell us your story then write to us, we will evaluate your proposal and perhaps The Sixth Power will talk about you!