We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ann Marie Clark a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ann Marie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always known I was meant to be a creative. Growing up, my dad was an executive at Motown, so I spent a lot of time watching him work on his projects. My mom, a former Division 1 basketball player, kept me and my brothers active, getting us involved in every sport. I ended up sticking with track and field. Our home was a mix of both art and athletics, where creativity and hard work went hand in hand.

At first, I thought I was going to be a professional track athlete, but when I went to UNLV, I majored in broadcast journalism and worked at a local radio station. I was young and eager, so I took on internships with the morning on-air talent, the sales team, and the media department. Whenever artists visited the station, I’d grab my camera to document the moments. This was around the time MySpace and Facebook were just getting started, and even then, I saw how important images were in shaping a story and helping to promote the radio station. The sales team would tell me how much value I was adding by capturing great photos. One of my directors even told me I had a good eye and should consider pursuing photography. But at the time, I brushed it off; my focus was still on track. Photography was something I enjoyed, but I didn’t realize then how I would eventually fall right back into it.

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.

My name is Ann Marie Clark, and I’m a photographer born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I’m a former Division 1 track athlete, and the discipline and focus I developed through athletics directly influence my approach to photography. I specialize in lifestyle, portrait, event, wedding, and concert photography, and have been fortunate enough to have my work published in magazines like Vogue and Forbes, as well as working with brands such as Puma and Nike.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with talents like Nipsey Hussle, The Isley Brothers, and Paris Hilton, to name a few. What I enjoy most about my work is collaborating with my clients to help bring their vision to life. Whether it’s capturing the essence of a person or documenting a special event, I love creating images that tell their story.

I named my company “Champiann Photo” because being a champion reflects the mindset I bring to every project. My background in athletics taught me the importance of focus, and execution and the creative side comes out naturally.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It’s amazing to see so many people picking up cameras and getting interested in photography . However, with more people having access to high-quality cameras on their phones, the need for professional photographers started to decrease as of late. While it’s great that people are embracing creativity, it did create an over saturation in the market. Photography equipment and software are expensive, and as a single mother to my son, I had to find a way to ensure I could provide for my family. I decided to pivot into the healthcare field. I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and this shift allowed me to build financial stability while still nurturing my creative side.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is knowing that your talent is a gift directly from God! It’s something unique to you that no one can take away. You’re the only person who has the ability to nurture and grow that power, or let it fade. The ability to create, tell stories, and inspire through your craft is truly empowering, and it’s a reminder that your creativity is yours to define.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Champiannphoto

Image Credits

Rocky Hinds III