We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rick Craft a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rick, thanks for joining 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.

For any artist, aspiring or established, I feel that taking risks is engrained in our being. (I don’t mean gambles necessarily haha). Risks are inherent in a career in creativity. You have to be open to exploring paths that will randomly appear along your journey because you never know where they may lead you!

An example from my own would be, taking the huge “risk” to move to Los Angeles without knowing anyone here prior. I packed up my belongings and drove 2500 miles across the country to start a new life because I knew that the creative industry I was seeking was much more prevalent in LA. I knew it was something I needed to do so it was set in my mind that I was going to make it work either way, but it wasn’t really until I talked to others that I realized how many people see things like that as a huge risk and how it must be terrifying! I’m certain it was at times and I can remember a few months of selling camera gear that I needed just to make rent. But I always saw it as exciting and creating new projects keeps me motivated. Looking back from over 12 years later, I absolutely wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I sing in a pop band called “Survive the Night”, music is actually where I first started my entire creative journey! I started out playing guitar in a few bands at the end of high school, and was touring by 22 years old. It was definitely a catalyst for me to pursue my passion and stray away from conventional careers. At the time, I was still working in a sign shop when I wasn’t on the road, and even though I enjoyed it there, I knew that my random schedule wasn’t going to work for long and wasn’t fair to everyone else. While doing music, I ran into a music video director that was looking for a photographer, I had a little bit of knowledge with it but always enjoyed photoshop more. I started shooting for him alongside my creative photoshoots, and one thing lead to another, I became a director of photography and started shooting the actual music videos! I felt that this was a huge turning point as well because I still got to travel around, meet new people and create for a living! It felt very much like touring, but maybe a little less chaotic (a little less is emphasized hahaha). I really embraced photography as my main art form for a long time and still shoot the things that I’m inspired by/creating themes and colorful worlds! I have shifted most of my artistic focus to my band, and writing music again has felt so rewarding but was also another example of taking that risk that I mentioned before. Doing that so many times throughout my life has taken the “what if’s” out of the equation, and keeps me moving forward with the things I enjoy!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly, the goal or mission that drives my creative journey is just to create things that people can enjoy. I love the feeling of being able to get an idea or vision out of my head and into a song, or photo or movie! It always turns out slightly different because of all of the other amazing artists I’m honored to work with. A model might be the perfect look for my idea, but poses differently than I imagined and a new spin is put on the whole concept! The stylists I work with inspire me with their own ideas and twists as well, I love the collaboration and getting to sit back and look at/listen to the final piece. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and excitement because it’s onto the next one after that!

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

The most rewarding aspect is definitely the friendships I’ve made along the way. Through creating art, I’ve met so many other inspired people that push each other and grow together. It truly is an amazing thing that would be hard to explain to my 17 year old self, trying to figure out what career route I would choose in my hometown. Haven’t a non conventional artist lifestyle definitely has its up and down moments without knowing where your next paid gig is coming from, but I feel like trusting in yourself to just keep moving forward and remembering why you chose this life is enough to make things happen. I didn’t know anyone before I moved out here with a dream and desire to create, and I am at a place where I made comfort and able to live off of this while recognizing all of the hard work and persistence that paid off from taking a risk. I absolutely love connecting with people and if it’s through my art, that’s an even better feeling!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Rickcraft.com
• Instagram: @rickcraft
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1eJezYisE3TB86De878X6Z?si=54hqq70XQL-prjWq3OGaeQ

Image Credits
All photos by Rick Craft. Featuring (Lee Loo, Kelly Eden, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, Alina Lee, Sabina Rouge, Adeline)