We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Robbie Edwards a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Robbie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I felt like I was standing at unpredictable road when I first started to take photographymore serious. Just my camera and ambition and absolutely no GPS—just a calling that this is where I’m meant to be. That’s how my journey into full-time creativity began. From day one, I knew that even if photography never brought in another dime, I would still create. It’s more than a career—it’s self-care, storytelling, and a lifelong love affair with capturing the world through my lens.

But let’s rewind to where it all started. My first camera? Those disposable point-and-shoots you’d grab at the checkout counter. No previews, no do-overs—just a roll of film and a whole lot of hope. That was the spark.

When it came to making creativity my full-time livelihood, I knew I needed a stepping stone. Enter: a photography position at my local newspaper in Mount Vernon, Illinois. What started as capturing images quickly evolved into learning the ropes of journalism—something I hadn’t formally studied, but my editor saw potential and took it as a personal challenge to mold me into a storyteller. I embraced it, honed my skills, and learned to see stories everywhere.

After years in the newsroom, I took a strategic pivot. I accepted a receptionist role at a salon in McLeansboro—a job that provided steady income while still allowing me to build my photography business on the side. And then came the unexpected plot twist: COVID.

Two weeks before the world shut down, I had already made the decision to walk away from traditional employment. I had put in my notice and taken the leap into full-time photography. It was a leap of faith, equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, but it was time to bet on myself fully.

Here’s the thing—there’s no perfectly paved road to turning passion into a profession. You start down one path, only to find unexpected detours, roadblocks, and new opportunities you never saw coming. The creative industry is ever-evolving, and the key to success isn’t finding the road, but being adaptable enough to navigate your road.

Today, I wake up every day and get to do what I love—telling stories through my lens, creating, and capturing moments that matter. It wasn’t instant, and it wasn’t easy, but it was absolutely worth it. So, to anyone standing at the crossroads of passion and profession, my advice is simple: stay relentless, stay adaptable, and keep creating—because the journey is just as important as the destination.

Robbie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Describing yourself as an artist seems so strange to me its like trying to catch smoke with your hands—it’s always shifting, always evolving, never quite fitting into one neat little box. But if I had to try, I’d say: I’m Robbie Edwards. A photographer. A homeschool mom. A creative juggernaut (so I’ve been told).

I don’t just take photos; I chase moments. My work isn’t polished perfection—it’s raw, untamed, sometimes gritty, always honest. Some say they can spot my work a mile away. I don’t know what label fits me best—vintage? Rugged? Cinematic? The truth is, I shoot how I feel, and every session breathes its own unique energy.

My love for photography started with disposable cameras and a deep obsession with music. I captured concerts, live bands, and the electric pulse of the underground scene. Then, my dad, Blake Edwards, gave me what I call my “big girl camera,” and that changed everything. I started learning, experimenting, growing—never in a technical way, but by feel, by instinct. Photography became less of a hobby and more of an extension of myself. My mom was a photographer, too—concerts, mostly. She never pursued it professionally, but the creative fire runs deep in my family. Music, art, storytelling—it was all around me. There was never a world where I wouldn’t create.

For years, I worked full-time jobs that left me no space to bring my ideas to life. My dreams, vivid and detailed, would haunt me, begging to be born. Afraid of losing them, I kept a dream journal—dates, concepts, locations, the people I’d work with. That journal became a blueprint for so much of what I’ve created. Now, I don’t need to write them down. I live them.

My journey has taken me to fashion shows, beautiful portrait sessions, album covers, movie sets, and galleries in New York, Chicago, and St. Louis. But at the heart of it all, I just live to create and create to live. Which isn’t just my motto—it’s my oxygen.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The biggest thing that helped me build my reputation was simply showing up. I didn’t wait for opportunities—I created them. When I moved from my hometown to where I live now, I didn’t just sit back and hope to find a creative community. I went out, found my crew, and became part of the scene. I supported live music, joined committees, volunteered, and made real connections. I wasn’t just putting my work out there—I was present, engaged, and genuinely invested in the creative energy around me.

Living in a small town, I quickly learned that if something doesn’t exist, you have to make it happen. We didn’t have a fashion show in Mount Vernon—so, through the Happening Committee at Cedarhurst, we created one. And that’s how you build something meaningful. It’s not just about personal success; it’s about creating opportunities that others can step into, too. The more you collaborate, the more you build something bigger than yourself.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that creativity isn’t a competition. There’s room for everyone. The more you work with others instead of against them, the stronger the creative community becomes. That mindset—along with the incredible tribe of artists, musicians, and visionaries I’ve surrounded myself with—is what truly built my reputation.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is waking up every day with the world as your studio. Inspiration is everywhere—whether it’s the way sunlight dances across a city street, a fleeting moment between strangers, or the unexpected beauty you find in the most ordinary places. Photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about seeing the world with a unique perspective and capturing fleeting moments that others might miss.

What makes it truly magical is knowing that the images you create can hold meaning for others. A single photograph can evoke emotions, trigger memories, or provide comfort when needed. There’s something incredibly powerful about creating an image that people can hold onto, something they can revisit when they need to feel inspired, grounded, or uplifted.

And then there’s showing my daughter that photography isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about telling stories, creating a life with your art, and using your passion to connect with the world. Watching her grow up with the understanding that photography can be more than just a hobby—that it can be a career, a lifestyle, and a way to make a difference—is priceless. It’s a reminder that through a camera lens, there are endless possibilities to explore.

Of course, the community of photographers and the connections you make along the way are one of the greatest rewards. The friendships, the shared experiences, and the stories exchanged—they all create a network of creativity that’s unlike anything else. Photography isn’t just about the shot—it’s about the people you meet, the stories you tell together, and the moments you capture along the way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Rephotography83
• Facebook: Robbie Edwards Photography

Image Credits
Robbie Edwards