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

Caren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My series Exploring St. Louis and Beyond is more than a project; it’s a creative pursuit that combines my love for photography and a deep curiosity about the world around me. This journey began long before the series took shape. In 1995, I traded Missouri’s rolling landscapes for the sunny coasts and towering redwoods of Northern California. I captured the natural ecosystems and diverse people of the region. My career as a manufacturer’s representative offered opportunities to photograph clients and their merchandise, honing my skills in digital photography and the potential of Photoshop.

Returning to my roots in St. Louis in 2004, I found inspiration in the familiar streets and magnificent parks of my hometown. Camera in hand, I roamed its neighborhoods, discovering beauty in unexpected corners. In 2008, I launched a photography business, blending portraiture with the iconic backdrops of St. Louis’s landmarks. My work has been featured in local publications, galleries, and businesses, reflecting the city’s architectural charm and natural splendor.
Last year marked a milestone with the publication of a gift book featuring curated images from my collection—a heartfelt tribute to the places I’ve cherished. Now, as I delve into two new trade books, I’m exploring not only metro St. Louis but also the breadth of Missouri’s cities, towns, and natural landscapes. Through this ongoing journey, I celebrate the extraordinary in the everyday, preserving both the unique characteristics of my surroundings and my enduring passion for photography.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In my 20s, photography became more than just a pastime, it became my artistic voice. Through the lens, I discovered a way to tell stories, capturing the essence of people and events in a variety of settings. These experiences not only deepened my craft but also connected me to the heartbeat of my community. Photography was my window into the world, and it became clear that my entrepreneurial spirit could turn this passion into something larger.

Seventeen years ago, I took a leap of faith and launched my own business, blending creativity with innovation. While photography remained the cornerstone, I expanded into web design and digital marketing, recognizing the power of visual storytelling in today’s connected world. By crafting customized content for both digital and print platforms, I offered clients the tools to stand out and make meaningful impressions.

In recent years, I’ve focused primarily on outdoor portrait photography for businesses. Meeting clients in locations that resonate with their personal and professional stories adds depth to the images we create together. It’s a privilege to help them visually express who they are and what they represent.

Building a business around my passions has been both a challenge and a joy, requiring resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication. This journey has been extremely fulfilling, and as long as I have the ability to create, I plan to continue capturing moments, telling stories, and helping others shine.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Photography is my legacy, a timeless gift I share with family, friends, and colleagues—a mosaic of visual memories that speaks long after the shutter clicks. Each image is a thread connecting me to the community I love, weaving a shared narrative of celebration and belonging.

With every frame, I document the essence of unique places and fleeting moments, preserving them as visual echoes of their time. My books are more than collections of photographs—they are chapters of a creative odyssey. They tell a story of exploration and artistry, inviting others to see the world through my eyes. This journey isn’t just about what I capture but about how I connect, creating a legacy of beauty, joy, and discovery for generations to come.

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

For a total of ten years, I navigated the structured world of administration, marketing, and management across three corporations. While the experience honed my skills and broadened my perspective, I often felt like a square peg in a round hole, constrained by the rigidity of a controlled environment. It was during my second job that a twist of fate redirected my path—the recession hit, and my division was outsourced. Faced with uncertainty, I saw an opportunity to forge my own way and launched my first business.

The next chapter unfolded unexpectedly. My third job came as a welcome surprise—a better fit that felt more aligned with my passions and strengths. But after 18 months, the company was sold, leaving me at another crossroads. Thankfully, I had kept my entrepreneurial spark alive by running my business part-time. With the company’s sale, I embraced my business fully, stepping into the driver’s seat of my career.

That experience was transformative. It wasn’t just a career decision; it was a declaration of independence, a promise to myself to control my own destiny. The corporate world may have taught me valuable lessons, but entrepreneurship gave me something far greater—the freedom to build a life on my own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carenlibby.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carenlibby/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exploringstlouis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carenlibby/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stlouisphotographer

Image Credits

Caren Libby