We recently connected with Heather Patel and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Catalysts Channels is a personally meaningful collection where I was able to define who I am as an artist and how my art impacts others around me. This project, like my journey, twisted and turned in unexpected ways, leading to a positive destination and a cohesive collection of art that resonated with others. This series of photographs serves as a conduit for others seeking tranquility and purpose, a place to immerse themselves in moments they might not have encountered otherwise.
Catalysts are change agents, guiding the pendulum of life forward. Each morning the sun rises,resetting for a new day and allowing a new course to be charted. For me, tree roots are catalyst channels that are full of unexpected, playful twists and turns mapping the journey forward and everything unexpected and beautiful
along the way.

What serves as your Catalyst Channel?

*This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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 am a fine art nature photographer based in Simpsonville, SC.
As a child I received my first Nikon F camera, passed down from my father with the encouragement to pause and find beauty in the everyday. Throughout my life I’ve used photography as a vehicle to do just that. As an adult, I have developed my photographic voice and mission, capturing meaningful experiences for myself and others that ignite joy and peace.

Through my photographic travels both nationally and internationally, I inspire others to be still, to be present, and to fill their cup in whatever is needed for the day ahead. Follow each pathway and each trail. Immerse yourself in the moment, and discover the hidden beauty that lies ahead. Today is a journey. Where is it leading you?

I studied photography at the University of Delaware and Furman University. I am a 2023 South Carolina Arts Commision Emerging Artist Grant Recipient.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

A pivotal moment for me was receiving the South Carolina Emerging Artist Grant through the South Carolina Arts Commission, a six month mentorship, networking opportunities and professional resources. Through this experience, I was able to develop my voice and mission as an artist and gain confidence in what a career in art would look like for me. The monthly meetings, resources provided and networking opportunities with peers, strengthened my confidence in my photography and the impact it would have on the world.

This experience taught me to talk about my work in a purposeful way: “When I present my work, I provide an outlet for stillness and quiet introspection, allowing space for the viewer’s authenticity to shine through.”

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative purpose is creating meaningful opportunities for myself and others that ignite joy and peace. My work inspires the viewer to be still and to discover the hidden beauty around them.

Photography for me is a means of expression and a form of relaxation from the rigors of daily life. Too many people are constantly on the go, and do not, or cannot, slow down or take the time to stop and look at the world introspectively. Time becomes simply a succession of moments consumed within the repetitive rhythms of life, whether it be work, school, relationships, or play.

Through my photography, I capture moments of quiet reflection, allowing the viewer to see beauty in themselves and in others, recognizing that ‘sometimes it takes a wrong turn to get you to the right place.’

Contact Info:

• Website: heatherpatelphotography.com

Image Credits
Heather Patel Photography