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

Alright, Carl thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I decided to go to art school because my art teacher thought I had some talent, not me, him. As a Junior in High School, I was making something out of plaster-of-Paris in his class, and it started to look like a rat. So, I said, “Okay, this is a rat.” (I had no idea what I was doing). I went looking around the room for something to use for a tail. I saw a whisk broom, (you know, the kind witches fly around on), and plucked a “whisk” from it, stuck it up the rear of the “plaster-of-Paris rat”, and voila, a tail. Well, you would have thought I was the second coming of Michelangelo. My art instructor praised the concept of using “Multimedia” (Whatever that was…I had no idea at the time). At some point, he recommended I follow a career in art. (That High School art teacher eventually became the Head of the Art Dept. at SUNY Buffalo). Just before graduating, he recommended me to apply to The School of Visual Arts in NYC, which, at the time, was one of the up-and-coming art institutes in the US.

Carl, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After leaving school, I assisted 3 photographers in the same building at 5th Ave and 19th street. I printed for Bob Adelman ( a well known civil rights photographer at the time and an Instructor of mine at SVA.) Another photographer was shooting still life and corporate photography, and the other photographer specializing in college brochures. So, I had a pretty well-rounded start. 3 years later I decided to open my own studio. I found a studio on the upper west side that was underground, with a skylight. (Hard to believe?) Opening a studio was not an easy task, but I didn’t give up. I was totally motivated to be a professional photographer. I photographed actors and models, musician headshots and group photos, some college brochures and anything folks would hire me for. No family or kid stuff. I always felt that “who you know” and “being in the right place at the right time” was how I got most of my jobs. “When preparation meets opportunity, success is inevitable.” (Talent helps.)
I ended up photographing for a number of men’s magazines and shot over 250 book covers. I was having wayyyy to much fun in the Big Apple and it was time to leave. I Left photography for almost 20 years and after a 28 inch snow fall, decided to move to southern California to give my photography a “Reboot.” at age 58. It’s never to late to do the things you always wanted to do….In my case, again. After struggling to start my photography business, Someone asked me to photograph their restaurant menu. In the past, I did do some still life, so I thought I can easily shoot food. The restaurant folks were happy with the images, but I wasn’t. I took a course on food photography and food styling. I have been a successful food photographer for the last 15 years. I’ve shot numerous restaurants, food and beverage assignments and 8 cookbooks. In between I started traveling (I’m a closet National Geographic photographer), Traveling to Myanmar, Ethiopia, Romania, India twice and all through Mexico. I’ve set up 4 websites for myself. A headshot and group photography site, one for folks who make their own musical instruments,…and of course my food and beverage site. My newest adventure is being the artist I always wanted to be. I basically manipulate flower arrangements. You can see them at www.carlkravatsphotoart.com
I have a lovely partner and 2 smart loving grandkids. I’m happy to be where I am in my life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When coming to southern California I didn’t know anyone where I lived, except my real estate agent. I had to start to make folks aware of who I was and what I do. I joined a Business Networking group and 2 local chamber of commerce. Promoting myself on both Instagram and Facebook on a daily bases, I created marketing pieces and sent them out about once a month to local companies that related to my sort of photography. All this was a huge help in boosting my employment as a photographer. My advice is to be consistent.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom. I really never had to ‘punch a clock’, or have a 9 to 5 type of job, so I never had to relate to that, even as a freelance photographer or those 20 years I was out of photography. My time is my own. The creative process puts me in my “happy” zone. What makes me happy is what I live for……or TRY to live for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carlkravatsphotoart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlkravatsphotoart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Carlio1disco
• Other: Other websites: www.bestfirstimpressionphotos.com www.carlkravats.com www.musicmanphotography.com

Image Credits
All images are mine. Carl Kravats