We were lucky to catch up with Mollie Crowe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mollie, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

At the beginning of this year, I had my first-ever gallery exhibition, PLAYING TO AN EMPTY ROOM: A Visual Herstory of Live Music in a Lockdown. The collection featured 75 images taking during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic of bands from Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Youngstown; telling the story about livestream concerts in a world of social distancing. Between the time invested in curating photos from over 60 galleries, thrifting and painting frames, framing prints and creating captions, titles, and an immersive exhibition, this was a true labor of love. Years ago, a friend of mine named Mike Mains who is an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter from Nashville, said in an interview that he didn’t want to write or perform music just for the sake of doing it. There’s also a saying by Rosa Nochette Carey: “Do it with passion or not at all.” Both pieces of wisdom are philosophies I carry over into my photography – to create from a space of authenticity and intention, and tell stories that matter. When I captured PLAYING TO AN EMPTY ROOM, I did it with passion. When I curated it as an exhibition, I did it with passion. And as I work towards publishing it as a book, I will do it with passion – or not at all.

Mollie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! My name is Mollie Crowe and I’m the artist behind Little Blackbird Photo! Since childhood, I’ve documented the world through my lens – everything from interesting murals to live music, portraits of pets and people I love, and every little detail in-between. Over the course of my life, I’ve been a pizza delivery driver, cosmetologist, marketing coordinator, bookseller and barista. Throughout those various stages and roles, I never stopped capturing. The moments I share and stories I tell through photography are as personal and intimate as sharing excerpts from my diary.

When I formed Little Blackbird Photo in 2015, I was willing to photograph anything and everything – family and newborn photography to non-profit events and fundraisers, food and product photography, weddings, concerts, and more. Having worked in various lighting settings, environments and with a variety of clients, I pride myself on focusing on capturing bold and emotive imagery. I’m passionate about documenting moments when others feel most alive, and it’s become my specialty as I’ve redirected my business to solely focus on live events and portraits.

Born and raised an Ohio gal, I’ve recently relocated to Pittsburgh, where I live with my partner and our fur babies. Being part of the city is super exciting with its new opportunities, faces, backdrops, scenes, and beyond! In my spare time, you’ll find me at a brewery, thrift store, or nose-deep in a book.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love that through photography, we can tell stories and preserve memories. Whether I’m capturing moments that will someday be a reminder of a loved one who’s passed on or local bands performing at their favorite DIY venue, I love playing a role in freezing time and bringing milestone moments into existence. It’s rewarding because for every photo we take, it’s another story to tell and that speaks to my romantic and nostalgic personality.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

If I were to recommend any two books they would be – You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero, and The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.

You Are A Badass is all about claiming your self-worth and taking steps to believe in yourself and support your ambitions. Being a creative in the digital age can sometimes make us forget who we are, leading us to become what we’re not meant to be. This book is an excellent way of taking back control and loving yourself and knowing you’re capable of accomplishing great things. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you’re having a rough day and need a little kick in the butt or pep talk.

The Creative Act: A Way of Being isn’t structured as anything but passing thoughts and stories that Rick Rubin (Grammy-winning music producer) has come to realize and believe in his decades of work. It’s very much a reminder that creating isn’t anything more than an extension of who we are, and it’s a way of being, not a hobby or an activity. It’s a state of mind, a process, a prayer; you will feel rejuvenated and inspired.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littleblackbirdphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/littleblackbirdphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lbpbymc

Image Credits
All photographs captured by Mollie Crowe (Little Blackbird Photo).