We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anya (aks) Stephenson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anya (AKS) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning photography came naturally to me. We had an old Canon 35mm film camera and a Polaroid in the family; I always pretended to take photos when there was no film in them before I was old enough to understand film (and buy my own). My family always took a lot of photos and made albums after having the images processed, back when CVS and Rite Aid used to do it. I remember us having a handheld Sony camcorder and various compact digital cameras. I took an interest in the cameras over my siblings as we grew up, and I looked into how I could get my digital camera. My first digital was the Nikon D3200, and I took photos on it from middle school through college undergrad. In high school, I was the school photographer and worked on the yearbook. When I attended the University of Hartford to study photography and psychology, I also learned analog and studied it abroad in London. Through the years, I’ve updated my style, lenses, and cameras to reflect the type of work I like to do.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. There are things I wish could have happened, like someone in my family teaching me how to use the camera instead of figuring it out myself. Or wishing I went to one school over another, but I would not have the experiences I did, had I not followed the path my intuition led me on. One of my professors told me that “when you think you have too much work to show, you don’t have enough”, and I wish I had known that before I started to take photography seriously as a profession. Now I always have a surplus of work to show anytime I’m networking with other Creatives.

Growing up with a creative mind, the most important skills are discipline, organization, and the ability to stick to your values. It’s so easy to work diligently on a project and then suddenly lose interest because your reasoning or excitement for it changes. I’m always taking notes, leaving ideas and comments in sketchbooks and on my phone so I can revisit projects after I take some time away to think about them. Sometimes, leaving a project to work on something else can become an obstacle because you may go away for longer than anticipated. When that happens though, I’m always excited to see the new transformation of my original ideas.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Focusing my work in the Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey tristate, I specialize in analog and digital visual installations that transform spaces into immersive environments. Drawing inspiration from architecture, psychology, and the human experience, my art is led to captivate and engage audiences. My brand, AKS EDITIONS, LLC, is a hub for my original photography, digital art pieces, and one-of-one garments offering collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to own and appreciate exclusive editions by AKS. Combining photography, painting, and sculpture materials along with interactive elements, my projects invite viewers to explore, question, and reflect upon their experience with understanding creativity.

In August 2024, I completed my Master’s in Psychology online at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, continuing my education after a one-year break from a Bachelor of Fine Art and a minor in Psychology at the University of Hartford. I started my professional art career in high school, graduating from Oliver Wolcott Technical High School as the “unofficial” school photographer and yearbook manager. This knowledge is woven into my artistic creations and projects, adding layers of meaning and enhancing the emotional impact of the work. It allows for a more profound connection with my viewers, fostering a deeper understanding of the familiarity that is the human experience.

Through Just Creatives, I’ve had the opportunity to put together community events online, in public spaces, and in private venues since 2019. Traveling tri-state on the East Coast, and coordinating with other creators to make connections and communicate has been a growing experience while working with a platform to strengthen the importance of creative entrepreneurship. Check out www.justcreatives.org for more information! Find my work at www.akseditions.com.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I enjoy being a creative entrepreneur. You get to be your own boss. I find that to be rewarding as an entrepreneur because I can create my schedule. I get to decide how much money I want to make. As the boss of my own company, I’m able to think outside the box in a way that allows me to solve everyday problems and/or highlight changes that need to be made within my community.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Most people fail to recognize that being creative is synonymous with being an entrepreneur. As our own bosses, we manage every aspect of marketing, showcasing our talents, and advocating for ourselves. While the source of our next paycheck might sometimes seem uncertain, we know that success comes from diligently completing the tasks at hand. There’s always room for improvement and growth, and we become our own toughest critics. However, the rewards can be immense. We set our own schedules and determine our income by elevating our work ethic. Embracing this challenge is not just fulfilling; it’s empowering.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akseditions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akseditions?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akseditions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anya-stephenson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@akseditions
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/akseditions/tracks
• Other: Instagram Pages: @_doodles.aks for digital drawings and @justcreativesllc for more content created by AKS

Image Credits

all photo credits belong to AKS EDITIONS, LLC.