Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Samantha D’Anna | Professional Photographer

After high school I went to college with the thought that I would major in liberal arts. It seemed like a safe bet since I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew at that point that I loved photography but didn’t think much of it. Then after a few years passed with about 3 changes of what I was going to major in I decided to stop. Read more>>

Madeline Falco | Actor, Teaching Artist & Arts Administrator

Like many little girls, I started taking dance classes when I was 3 and I immediately fell in love. Growing up I thought I wanted to be a professional ballet dancer and I was on the track to do so throughout my pre-teen and teen years. Around 16 years old I had the hard realization that I was not a strong enough ballet dancer to pursue it professionally and I started shifting my focus from ballet to musical theatre. I had grown up doing musicals but had never really considered it as a career path. Read more>>

Steven Fenczik | Artist and Animator

Art and creativity exist at the core of the human experience. It is fundamental and incredibly rewarding. Art is difficult and filled with emotional ups and downs, but in the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “Nothing in the world is worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” I grew up in a household that encouraged the arts and I was able to begin from an early age. My curiosity eventually turned into passion and I have never looked back. The path of the artist is one of self-development and self-discovery and I feel grateful everyday to have the opportunity to walk it. Read more>>

Bailey Murrell | Creative Director & Photographer

I always had passions and if I am being honest – indulging in those passions allows an alignment for me to continue to walk in my own truth. Everyone has a unique view of the world and I work to share what I capture through a lens specific for myself. I have always been Bailey, driven and creating. Read more>>

Sam Hewitt | Photographer

Photography adds so much value to our lives – by recording special events, people, and places, while also helping us learn and grow as people. It allows you to share your life and experiences in meaningful ways, and it allows you to engage and have fun with other people. Read more>>

Nori & Barbie Kelley WIND | Songwriters, musicians, recording artists, worship leaders

Nori – I started playing the guitar when I was 11, for pay when I was 13, so I began early and sort of continued on from there. I started doing sessions when I was 20. Barbie – I started playing piano and flute around age nine. In high school I played flute in the marching and concert bands in 9th grade. Then switched to trumpet in 10th and was in the marching, concert and jazz bands through 12th grade. I also sang in the concert choir in 11th grade. Read more>>

Julie Woodard | Textile Artist

For me, pursuing a career as an artist is choosing to pursue a life of joy. In 2020, my mom passed away from cancer and I found myself in what would become a year-long job furlough. Thankfully, I grew up in a family where my creativity was fostered and celebrated, and I was able to turn to art-making, storytelling, and songwriting as a way to process my grief. My visual arts practice has always centered on textiles, specifically repurposing and upcycling materials, and nature is my primary inspiration. Read more>>

Krista Henery | Portrait Photographer

I never thought I’d turn a hobby of taking photos into a business that continues to grow! I went to school for journalism, and spent about 10 years working in TV as an on-air reporter and early-morning news anchor. When I moved to Colorado six years ago, I turned the page on my TV chapter, but knew I still wanted to use my creative gifts and talents, so I purchased a cheap camera and started taking photos of basically anyone who would let me capture photos of them and their families. Read more>>

Jai McDonald | Photographer, Lenspeak Photography

Well, I got my first camera (a Nikon cool pix) at eight years old and that was what sparked a life long love for photography. It’s taken years of practice to build my eye and my style but I feel like I have it dialed. Nature photography is my bread and butter. I take off on walks and just wander the woods for hours looking for little things that people typically overlook or moments that resonate with me. These typically result in being the prints that I sell and use to build my portfolio. Read more>>

Mike Hunnisett | Professional Photographer

I pursued a creative career in order to challenge myself. As a creator, there is no typical day to day. Everything changes. What I photograph one weekend, might be completely different the next weekend. The genres of my photography change often, as do the requirements and needs of the clients that I shoot for. This is what keeps me hungry and in love with my profession, because capturing the ‘perfect image’ is a constant challenge, and I’m always on the prowl to better myself. Read more>>