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

Calvin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I would have to say sooner. I am very happy where I’m at right now. But I could be a lot further in. If I would have started sooner than later.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always been into visual arts. I would go to photography exhibits and museums that carried photography. But I never thought that I would actually get into visual arts. I was dealing with some anxiety at the time. And the camera got me out of the house. And pretty much the rest is history. It’s almost like coming full circle. I went from going to photo exhibits to being in photo exhibits. That’s pretty awesome.

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

For me I think what’s most rewarding is the finished product. When I get home and look through the pictures I have taken from a event that I had went to. And I find that shot that stands out. So basically like a moment captured. That’s what is rewarding for me. Once I edit the picture and it’s complete that’s the best. Those type of shots are the ones I put away for shows.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Actually I have a pretty cool story. It was right before covid had hit. I was actually going to have a solo show. And two days before the show. The whole world shut down due to covid. I was pretty bummed out at the time. As time went on and things started to open up a bit. I started taking road trips through the desert. At that time I was carrying a film camera so I was taking a bunch of pictures of abandoned Diner signs abandoned buildings with graffiti on them. Just crazy stuff on the side of the road. And I ended up putting together a 32-page book. The book did pretty well in a few different stores.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @clphotosla_

Image Credits
Calvin Leonard Myself