We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Desiree Steele a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Desiree thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Life is about taking risks. I recently went on a solo trip to Terlingua Ranch in West Texas. Driving into Alpine tank on empty, I was grateful to find a station and continue on. I reached my Airstream 45 minutes from the main road, in the desert where it was pitch black. Ready to photograph the night sky, my dog’s sudden growl made me hurry inside, not out of fear of people, but of wild animals. As a traveling photographer, I often take risks to get the best shots, venturing down remote off-road paths in my Outback, turning down backroads, climbing trees, waking in the middle of the night to head out to capture that first morning light, typically on my own. It’s thrilling, yet risky. I embrace the unknown and capture the world’s beauty through daring adventures.
Desiree, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Desiree Steele is a South Austinite-turned-Buda resident whose nature and portrait photography explores themes of healing, faith, and home. With over three decades behind the lens, her art celebrates the wonder and beauty of the world around us, offering a contemplative perspective on life’s hardships and the restorative power of community and the outdoors.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I guess you could say my creative journey is fueled by an insatiable curiosity, a desire to make a positive impact, and a deep appreciation for the power of art and self-expression. It’s not always an easy path, but it’s one that fills me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Not having to live by other people’s rules. Art is whatever the creative or viewer decides it is. One may be right, and one may be wrong. Art is the freedom to express yourself on a level that some will understand and some will not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Backroadsandbackporches.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backroadsandbackporches/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desiree-steele-a727442a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Other: www.desireesteele.photography
Image Credits
Michael Tarabay and Desiree Steele Photography