We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carl Studna. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carl below.

Carl, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 1990 and 1991, I chose to take a risk and document Eric Clapton’s shows at the Royal Albert Hall, spending a month each winter in London. I wasn’t being paid to cover the shows, but I felt deeply called to be there, so I arranged to get press passes through Warner Bros Records. I was doing a lot of work for them at the time, but they didn’t want to pay me to cover the shows. It turned out to be a most rewarding experience on so many levels. They ended up recording the shows and three of my photos were featured in the packaging of the two CD, “24 Night’s” recordings. I developed many fruitful work relationships while in London leading to future shoots with Paul McCartney and the band, “Genesis.” Due to the success of that endeavor, I took another leap of faith later in the year when George Harrison was planning a three week tour of Japan with Eric Clapton and his band. Again, I did the shoot on spec and eleven of my photos ended up being in the packaging of his “Live In Japan” CD. Then, over thirty years later, Warner Records approached me as they were compiling a deluxe version of Eric Clapton’s 24 Nights recordings and ended up using fifty of my photos for this beautiful packaging which includes a 48 page booklet with my fifty images that highlight the book.

Carl, 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?

I’ve been passionate about photography since I began taking classes in high school. From that moment forward, viewing the world through the camera lens has offered me the opportunity to see every image as special and unique. As I’ve continued to grow in my awakening to life’s beauty, the art of photography has continued to blossom through my way of seeing life as a sacred moment with every click of the camera. I’ve continued to grow in my photography business for over forty years, and my professional niche for over thirty years has been focused on authentic, soulful portraits. I’ve had the great opportunity to do portraits of many iconic musicians, authors and luminaries of our time with over one hundred album covers and featured photographs in magazines ranging from Time to Rolling Stone. Subjects have included Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Elton John, The Dalai Lama, Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, and many others who have inspired my life path. I’ve authored three books that I’m deeply proud of. “CLICK! Choosing One Frame At A Time,” “The Evolution Of Loving,” and “The Adventures Of Uncle Sneezer.” I’m deeply grateful to continue to grow in my craft and it’s always an honor to be with each of my subjects and see the unique beauty, power and rich presence in every individual.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My greatest underlying mission that weaves its way throughout my work lies in using the medium of photography, particularly the process of photographing others, as a vehicle for having my subjects deepen in their ability to love themselves more fully with each click of the camera. I’ve continued to witness over the past forty years that when a safe, loving atmosphere is created, I enter a zone of sincerely honoring the person in front of me and a beautiful synergy is created that allows them to release their fears, comparisons and self-judgments. As these fall away, the pure beauty and unique essence emerges and shines through each person’s eyes, in the softening of their facial muscles, and in the strength of their unique presence. This experience is always a mutual gift for the subject and myself to witness, and then to view the beauty through the photographs.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist through my photography lies in giving myself permission every day to be creative. This can take many forms of expression. I’ve never felt comfortable living inside a box of conformity, and being an artist has always given me the permission to live outside many of societies expectations. I feel the freedom to forge my own, unique path that doesn’t compare myself to others. What is my calling today? Tomorrow? In the next year? What feels true to my soul? How can I contribute the most purely through my craft? How can I continue to grow and expand? These are questions that I continue to ask and be as true to following as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carlstudna.com
• Instagram: carlstudna
• Facebook: Carl Studna
• Linkedin: Carl Studna
• Youtube: Carl Studna
• Other: www.goldeneaglestudio.com www.clickchoosinglove.com www.evolutionofloving.com www.unclesneezer.com