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

Hi Bonnie, thanks for joining 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.

I’ve had quite the winding road as a creative entrepreneur and artist. The root of it all is always curiosity and following that pull. That random thing you want to try? It’s probably less random than you think. We make space for joy when we allow ourselves to be beginners and just play. I consider myself a lifelong learner and truly LOVE to learn new things. Following my intuition and excitement always leads me to unexpected, delightful places.

For example, I found myself wanting a digital camera and to learn photography, so I did just that. I am a researcher through and through. When I’m excited about something new, I dive right in! I researched like crazy and settled on a Nikon camera body and a kit lens I quickly outgrew. As it turns out, gear really matters in photography land for certain things. I taught myself to photograph and edit photos, and the next thing I knew, I was crafting jewelry while doing online college across the country from family as a military spouse. That photography skill came in very handy as I grew an Etsy business working with my hands. Finding a job when I knew I’d move soon always seemed like a waste, and I quickly discovered I could make money from anywhere in the world—and it could move with me.

My love for photography grew, and at the next duty station, I started photographing families and felt so fulfilled. Teaching myself along the way, following the light, and seeing that famous “gap” all creatives start to see in their work versus what they want it to be is always a motivator. As I continued to follow my curiosity and entertain opportunities that seemingly fell into my lap, I found myself building a commercial photography and design business, Photo + Design Company. Lots of trial and error and thank goodness for YouTube tutorials to learn specific skills!
I am so grateful for the little nudges from wonderful people I’ve been blessed to cross paths with along the way, too. Most recently, some more of that curiosity guided me into the art world as I began painting and can’t seem to stop. Finding a village and creative community has been incredible. I am constantly inspired and uplifted by the beautiful art community.

The only thing I could imagine doing to speed up my learning processes may have been to slow down at times and reflect. Younger me was always full steam ahead, so eager and excited! This served me well, but as I’ve grown, I’ve learned to honor periods of reflection and refinement. It’s a tricky thing to grow and sustain a business as an artist or creative. We are just one person, wearing many hats, and daydreaming feels like an essential part of fueling creativity and inspiration.

What has been most essential is following my curiosity and trusting my intuition, but also learning to balance that with periods of pause. It’s in those moments I’ve been able to see my work, my process, and even my goals more clearly. The road ahead feels wide open, and I can’t wait to see where curiosity leads me next.

Bonnie, 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’m a multidisciplinary creative specializing in commercial photography, graphic design, and painting. With a strong eye for detail and a passion for creating impactful visuals, I help businesses and individuals bring their visions to life. From crafting dynamic branding and capturing compelling imagery to expressing vibrant creativity on canvas, my work blends technical expertise with artistic intuition to tell powerful stories.

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

For me, the most rewarding part of being creative is how it allows me to find a balance between my own passions and the roles I have in life, like being a wife and a mom. It’s such a gift to be able to be home to live, learn, and grow alongside my children while still making time for my work. It’s been incredible to be able to grow myself professionally and also be there for them as they grow.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I personally feel NFTs really defeat the purpose of art. For me, art is about the tangible nature, the physical presence, and the energy it carries—things that get lost in the increasingly digital world. While I strongly believe in the use of this kind of technology for things like the shifting financial system, when it comes to art, my heart and gut say no. There’s something irreplaceable about creating and experiencing art in a way that feels real, grounded, and connected.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bonniesorsby.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonniesorsbyart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonniesorsbyart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniesorsby/
• Other: https://www.photodesigncompany.com/

Image Credits

Bonnie Sorsby