We recently connected with Christine Evans and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I have been very fortunate to be raised by my mother and biggest supporter. From a young age, she taught me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Whenever I had a crazy idea that I wanted to try (and I had a lot of them), her answer was always “yes.” Now that didn’t mean that she would make my ideas happen for me. However, if I could figure out how to make them happen, I had her full support. I was lucky to be raised with such an open-minded and encouraging parent, who often found herself in unexpected situations such as helping me learn how to unicycle (after I had asked around and found one being given away by a neighbor).

I think we both knew from early on that my path in life was going to be far from “traditional,” and I’m blessed by her support. When I proposed going to art school to pursue my creative passions professionally, she was far from surprised. It definitely isn’t always the case where parents are so willing to let their child make a seemingly riskier schooling and career choice, but I’m so grateful that my mother encouraged me to take the path to live my most fulfilling life.

My mother never let me believe that things were impossible, and for this I am eternally grateful. Sure, goals may be difficult to reach, but she taught me to never doubt myself and that dreams will come true with pure intentions and hard work.

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 commercial and editorial fashion photographer originally from the DC metro area. I graduated with a BFA in Photography and minor in Commercial Fashion Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia. In late 2021, I made the leap to move to sunny Los Angeles, California to pursue photography and the arts full-time. During my little over a year here, I have been blessed to work on various film and television shoots, help manage a photography studio, and freelance as a photographer.

I knew I wanted to be some sort of artist from an early age. Initially, my goal was to become a concept artist or production designer because of my passion for drawing and miniatures. In high school, however, my goal shifted gears and narrowed when I fell in love with photography. There’s something so powerful about being able to create a colorful fantasy through still photographs that transport viewers into a different world.

When I am creating my photographs, I am involved in all parts of the process. I also studied production design a bit in college and have worked as a set designer and set decorator in LA. This knowledge has provided me with the skills to really hone in on the art direction of my photographs and combine my two passions. My photo series “Alien Encounters” was really a breakthrough project for me as an artist and photographer, as it was one of the first times that I was able to create concrete visuals based on fictional characters and a world envisioned in my head.

As I move forward in my career, I aim to continue bringing fantastical and eye-catching elements to my work. I am excited to continue honing my craft and making new photographs that hopefully provide an escape from this sometimes relentless world.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Our journey as creatives is often enigmatic and deeply personal. With more traditional careers, such as becoming a doctor or lawyer, there is a typical path that one takes. For example, to become a lawyer, college comes first, then law school, the Bar exam, and finally working in a law office. As a creative, the path to sustaining yourself full-time from your work is not always so cut and dry. You can be self-taught or go to art school. You can do an internship or have a mentor, but having either is not necessary for success. You can gain recognition from having a large social media following, or you can simply have a well-developed network of clients. Because this path is a bit more windy, there are often more forks in the road that can cause us to look inward and take things more personally if our path isn’t proceeding as expected. There have been times in the past where I wished I was interested in a career with a more clear path, but being a creative is what I was born to be and is the most fulfilling life I can live.       

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The technology does not make the photographer!!! If I could shout this from the mountain tops, I would. When first starting as a photographer, it is easy to get swept up in all of the fancy and expensive equipment. This can be really intimidating, especially if this gear isn’t within your budget. However, I have seen some of the most incredible photographs taken on a cell phone or a simple coffee can pin-hole camera. Sure, fancy cameras with high megapixels and advanced settings can certainly be helpful, but they are not a requirement. It is the eye of the photographer and their creativity that matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christinemevans.com
• Instagram: @thechristinevans
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-evans-090265159/