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

Corey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I began taking photography seriously YouTube proved to be an invaluable resource. I must have received thousands of hours of free education online. From there it was a lot of trial and error. I started working with clients almost immediately and had my first solo show within my first year. Putting myself and my work out there so soon was scary and often painful, but I’ve learned so much from my mistakes I can’t imagine doing it any other way. I’m also very fortunate to be friends with more than a few amazing professional photographers, most of which have been very helpful and supportive. The skills I consider most essential as a photographer strike a balance between interpersonal and technical. Throughout my experiences, I have encountered numerous situations that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. In such moments, the ability to navigate those unfamiliar territories with confidence has proven to be absolutely crucial. While drawing on my years of customer service experience is certainly helpful, knowing I’m proficient enough to handle potential technical issues adds to that confidence.
If anything has stood in the way of my progress it would be working full time and raising a family. Finding the time and energy to pursue this, especially when there isn’t a looming deadline or paycheck, can be challenging.

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’m a freelance photographer based in Lawrence, Ks. My main focus is commercial product photography and creative portraiture. Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, my visual style is influenced by Saturday morning cartoons, comic books, and rock-n-roll album art. I like simple, clean lines and bold, saturated colors. As much as I’ve always loved snapping photos, I became serious about the art of photography by accident.

I had some old street art-style paintings I had done years ago hanging in my studio, and a friend asked if I’d be willing to trade one for a DSLR he was looking to unload, which I gladly did. I became obsessed, not just with learning the camera but also with studying the greats, like Eggelston, Meyerowitz, and Haas. Several camera bodies, lenses, and years later, I continue to sharpen and refine my skills. When I’m not on location or in the studio you can find me at home being mercilessly roasted by one, or more, of my four children.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve said in the past how remarkably easy my overall journey has been. Work and clients seemed to drop in my lap from the beginning. Until they didn’t. I was so unbelievably busy last year that I decided to step back and take a short break to focus on my family and a move into a new studio for a couple months, assuming things would just pick back up. When they didn’t I realized that part of this business involves hustling, reaching out, making new connections, etc. It’s taken a while to get the momentum going again, but I love what I do and I’m committed to making it work, and making it profitable.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a creative, the most rewarding aspect is the ability to express myself and share my perspective with other people. Positive feedback from clients about my work can be very gratifying and validating as well. Also, the creative process can be immensely rewarding. The act of bringing ideas to life, experimenting with different techniques, and pushing the boundaries of my skills and imagination can provide a sense of fulfillment and personal growth. The ability to continually learn, evolve, and refine my craft is something I find deeply rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: coreysieversphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyfromkansas/