Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Betty Wiley | Professional landscape and lifestyle photographer and licensed drone pilot

So many of my childhood memories were with a camera in my hand. My mother and uncle were both accomplished photographers so I was surrounded by photography at a young age. My uncle was semi professional and i remember seeing his images on post cards and on calendars and I was always inspired by his work. My mother, a homemaker, was skilled as well and I remember her using her Pentax SLR on trips in the US and abroad. Honestly, I feel like it’s in my DNA and I always had this creative side in my life when I was either photographing, painting or drawing. I had aspirations of becoming either a professional photographer or a commercial artist but my mother urged me to seek a career that would guarantee a good income so I ended up majoring in science in college and spent 30 years in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. While I loved science and the stimulating environment of being on the cutting edge of technology, I always felt more fulfilled when I was feeding my creative side while I was out photographing. When I retired, I jumped back into photography, more or less full time and was lucky enough to live on Cape Cod where I developed strong working relationships with various publications. I feel as though I was born to be a photographer and I can’t imagine life without a camera. Read more>>

Brie Stockwell | Photographer & Success Coach for Creatives

I’ve always needed to have my hands in creative play. In elementary school I took up the flute because I thought it would be fun. It called to me. Since then I’ve enjoyed quite a variety of creative pursuits including continuing on with my passion for music in college. Then, raising four awesome kids took over most of my life and left little room for creative deep dives. Now, I still play the flute but a new desire for photography has risen to the surface. Read more>>

Mat Charley | Songwriter & Producer

Like most people who pursue anything artistic as a career, we were compelled to. That’s all it really is. There’s a lot of instability and uncertainty and risk involved, of course, and a lot of reasons to try something safer, but making music is the only thing we’ve ever wanted to do. Read more>>

Melissa Friel | Director of Social Media

I chose an artistic or creative career because it allows me to express myself in a way that feels natural and fulfilling. Creativity has always been a driving force in my life, and pursuing an artistic career allows me to channel that energy and passion into my work. Artistic endeavors provide a platform for self-expression, allowing me to communicate ideas, emotions, and perspectives that may be difficult to convey through other means. The ability to create something unique and meaningful, whether it be through writing, painting, music, or any other form of artistic expression, brings me immense joy and fulfillment. Additionally, an artistic career encourages continuous growth and exploration, pushing me to constantly challenge myself and think outside the box. It allows me to connect with others on a deeper level, sparking conversations and evoking emotions that can inspire and resonate with others. Ultimately, choosing an artistic or creative career is a way for me to live a life that feels authentic, purposeful, and aligned with my true passions. Read more>>

Paula Luna | Professional Fine Art Wedding and Elopement Photographer

I pursued an artistic or creative career because it allowed me to combine my passion for visual storytelling with my desire to create something meaningful and impactful. From a young age, I was drawn to the power of imagery and how it can evoke emotions, capture moments, and communicate narratives in a profound way. Read more>>

Yung Lil | Hip-Hop/R&B Artist

I honestly started rapping for fun at first. But I seen the current state of rap and felt like it was underwhelming. And that I could drop a better tape than 90% of these guys. So I dropped my debut mixtape just because. And I actually garnered a fanbase from it which led me to continue rapping and taking music more seriously. It’s worked out so far. Read more>>

Josue Soto | Artist, computer and technology enthusiast

When pursuing an artistic career, I wanted to be able to express what I enjoy to others and myself. That includes a variety of things I have interests in like; Music, computers, and cars! I feel like doing anything you can to share knowledge and help others is always something that should subconsciously be in everyone’s mind. Sharing knowledge and creativity has always been on my brain ever since I could remember. Read more>>