We recently connected with Corey Carlson and have shared our conversation below.
Corey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Great question! I realized the potential to take my art professionally when I started receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends and family about my work. My original goal with photography was simply to capture beautiful, fleeting moments that can never be seen again. I have always been drawn to capturing these unique moments because it saddens me that something so beautiful can happen only once and never be known by the rest of the world. For example, during one of my daughter’s piano recitals, a child poked their head out on stage to watch a friend play. It was the most beautiful, innocent gesture, and then it was gone. I can revisit that moment in my mind and describe it to others, but my words fall short of conveying its pure magnificence. That moment was a catalyst for me to pursue photography seriously, so I wouldn’t miss capturing such amazing life moments. As I continued, people praised my work and suggested I photograph their families and weddings. Everything just fell into place after that.
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?
I got into photography somewhat by chance. In 2017, I was on my deathbed due to medical malpractice. It was a horrific experience, and for the first time in my life, I was unable to express myself through art. Up until that point, I had been a musician. As I lay in bed, wondering if I would make it to tomorrow, I felt the constant surge of creativity that needed an outlet since I wasn’t able to perform music. I had always been interested in photography, but never gave it serious thought. With nothing else to do, I immersed myself in the craft, taking online courses, reading books, and watching YouTube videos. I spent much of my recovery studying photography. When my health improved, I got my first DSLR camera and was off and running. The world opened up to me in ways I had never seen, and I was hooked. Photography quickly became less of a passion and more of an addiction. I’m always yearning to capture the next shot. Additionally, photography has opened doors I never thought possible, allowing me to meet amazing people and form lasting connections. My life is now incredible, and I attribute it all to embracing photography. The best part is that I’m playing music again and releasing my own music and art. While I wouldn’t want to go through the ordeal of 2017 again, I’ve used that experience to transform my life for the better.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is multifaceted! I get to follow my passion, purely because it’s intrinsically fulfilling. There are no monetary goals driving me—it’s all about the joy and happiness it brings me. I relish the freedom of knowing there’s no right or wrong in my art. While I greatly value constructive feedback, which has helped me grow and flourish as a photographer, I’m no longer confined to the 8-5 grind. If inspiration strikes at 2:00 AM, I’m ready to grab my camera and capture the moment. The freedom to pursue my passion on my own terms is absolutely liberating.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
This is actually one of my most favorite life moments. I can look back at it now with fondness, but boy was this a day from hell that required all of my resilience. I had a last-minute assignment to document behind the scenes of a commercial shoot for an up-and-coming company. Little could I have prepared for the fact that the day turned out to be 40 degrees colder than the day prior, also accompanied by relentless rain on a golf course —well outside of Phoenix. To add to the absurdity, it even snowed quite a few times, a rarity in Phoenix!
Despite these unexpected challenges, I improvised protective gear for my equipment and pushed through the day with determination. However, I only had a sweatshirt and beanie that I had previously left in my car to keep my warm and dry for the 10-hour day. That was the coldest and wettest I have ever been.
This experience wasn’t just about enduring harsh conditions; it was a testament to resilience, quick thinking, and embracing the unexpected with a spirit of adventure. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do and reinforce my ability to overcome any obstacle that comes my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.azcrossroads.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossroads_photography_az/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azcrossroads
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycarlson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@crossroadsphotography4101
- Other: Portfolio: https://coreyboy.500px.photography/ My Music: https://linktr.ee/aenigmaticum
Image Credits
I’m the photographer :)