We recently connected with Kristie Cornell and have shared our conversation below.

Kristie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I am entirely self taught in photography. The process of learning the craft came through reading, looking at photobooks, and experimentation, all of which always came after school and work obligations. This resulted in a slow and steady approach that solidified my understanding of the camera but was also a solitary endeavor. Taking formal classes or having a photographic mentor would have helped to speed up the learning process, but I believe that years of trial and error played an invaluable part in shaping my visual style. The most essential skills in this approach have been patience and persistence. By dedicating the time and resources towards learning about what works for me and what doesn’t, I have been able to establish a clear and consistent voice in my work.

Kristie, 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?

I am a photographer in south Louisiana who focuses mainly on the natural and cultural landscapes that surround me. I began photographing over thirty years ago as a way to document nature and travel. Today, I focus mainly on analog processes using medium and large format film photography, as well as large format, handmade wooden pinhole cameras. I love to explore the Louisiana landscape on foot or by kayak, and document what I see in black and white. The work I am most proud of was Meander Mindset, a collaboration with friend and sculptor Marla Kristicevich. It involved a visual exploration of the Bayou Teche, a south Louisiana waterway, through my photographs and cyanotypes along with Marla’s sculptures and textural rubbings. This work was exhibited in two exhibitions and self published as a book.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, there are several rewarding aspects of being an artist. First and foremost, it is the act of creating itself. I don’t rely on my creativity to make a living, so that allows me the freedom to pursue photography on my own terms. The process of making things- building cameras, making prints, installing an exhibition, publishing a book- brings me great joy. It is only relatively recently that I have started sharing my work through social media and exhibitions, but seeing the response to that work is another great reward to creating. To have people show up to my exhibitions, or to know that someone has my work on their wall or bookshelf, is a great motivator to keep working.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think the main goal that drives my creativity is a pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Allowing myself the time to explore my curiosity about the world around me, and to learn about what I am seeing, is what fuels my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristiecornell.com
• Instagram: @kccornell
• Other: Meander Mindset project instagram: @meandermindset

Image Credits

Kristie Cornell