We recently connected with Chiana Tracy and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chiana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I have been a painter & jewelry maker for many years, but photography is an art form that is new to me. In many ways I am continuously learning how to improve my skills every time I pick up the camera. There’s so much technique that’s involved, from learning how to shoot in manual mode, to proper lighting, & editing. It may seem simple to some, but there’s a lot that goes into it! What has helped me a lot is researching the ins & outs of photography. Reading articles on the internet, photography groups on social media, & YouTube videos have helped me so much! It’s a process, & I’m still developing my skills, but growth takes time. You can’t rush it. As far as what obstacles stood in my way, I think it’s mainly lack of confidence. Working with a new art form was (& sometimes still is) intimidating for me. Change can be scary, but it’s also exciting! Focusing on the aspects of photography that excite me, keeps me going.
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.
I am a painter & jewelry artist who fairly recently, began branching into the art of photography. When I began building my portfolio, the focus was on showcasing ethnic diversity in ballet.
When I took ballet as a child , I loved it so much, but I felt out of place. There were never any other children in class that looked like me, which caused me to feel like maybe ballet wasn’t really for me. In an effort to find a sense of belonging, I dropped ballet & instead joined dance classes of different genres that seemed to be more for people like me. It was this experience that inspired me to do a photo series highlighting cultural diversity in ballet. It was such a lovely experience working with ballerinas of various ages & cultures. It will always be one of my favorite photoshoots. Since then, I have been exploring other forms of photography such as lifestyle, fine art, & botanical photography.
I think what sets me apart from others is my artistic perspective. I like to add a little whimsy even to the most ordinary photos. I think that gives my pictures a bit of a unique appearance.
I am most proud of my decision to put the doubts behind me, and go for it! I can’t wait to see how my work will continue to shift & grow.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to one day turn my passion for photography into a thriving business! I’m not sure which genre of photography I’ll ultimately settle on. But for now, I’m just enjoying the creative process.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Working with other artists! Being able to share creative ideas & work together on a project is the best thing ever.
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