We were lucky to catch up with Sonya Katarina recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonya, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I am lucky enough to have always known I wanted a career in the arts, and to be able to split my time between photography and acting is more than I could have hoped for. I strongly believe that the interests you gravitate towards in your free time, especially as a young adult, coupled with how people in your life positively reinforce your specific skills and talents, is the best metric to use when deciding your vocation. If you are steadily being goaded in a certain direction, why fight it for the sake of convention? Life has always pulled me towards the freedom and joy of creating, and pushing against that by forcing myself to get a “real job” just to satisfy the status quo would be an affront to how I am inherently wired and designed. This should be an encouragement to fellow creatives: listen to your desires and don’t be afraid to go after what personally brings you fulfillment and joy. You have been given a unique blend of interests for a reason.

For me, being able to work consistently as a photographer provides the solid financial foundation (aka ‘survival job’) required for the fickle and oftentimes destitute life of acting. Not only are they financially complementary, they also have a special symbiotic relationship — understanding framing and angles from the perspective of the viewfinder immensely enhances my own awareness of what the lens captures when I’m in front of the camera. This mutually beneficial exchange between the two is certainly a surprising and unintended consequence, but it goes to show that there is no useless pursuit. Every niche interest you cultivate or ‘side quest’ you achieve works in conjunction to augment your strengths as an artist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was thirteen when I decided (almost by brute force) that I would be interested in photography, a sentiment ostensibly shared by every other filter-obsessed thirteen-year-old girl at the time. But that enthusiasm never went away, and photography quickly became a vehicle through which I could travel, meet new people, and be exposed to all kinds of niche activities and experiences.

It turns out that I stumbled upon one of the few hobbies that is very in-demand for all seasons of life by all kinds of people – (everyone needs photos at some point!) – and in college I became the de facto on-campus photographer for many student clubs and university functions. Everyone else was busy doing more important things, so luckily there was a big need and I happened to be there at the right time to fill it. I started my business as a natural way to meet fellow peers and surround myself with the most interesting and intelligent people I’ve ever met, and the business kept growing when I realized how gratifying it felt to provide something of value to others.

Shooting campus events eventually turned into photographing grads and weddings and comedy shows, and in turn I found my own particular style and aesthetic sensibility. Photography also allowed me to crash spaces that I would not otherwise be able to exist in. As an avid observer and people-watcher, I couldn’t be more grateful that I have a reasonable excuse to document the mosh pit of life from the outskirts, rather than be forced in the middle or not be invited at all.

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

I mentioned before that photography allows me to feel welcomed and valued in spaces that I would not otherwise have a reason to occupy. Beyond that, working with other artists – especially across other crafts and industries – has been incredibly rewarding. That collaboration is also mentally stimulating, and prevents my weekly routine from feeling too stagnant or mundane. Communing with other artists – from comedians to directors to designers to writers to actors – also happens to be the best cure for the dreaded ‘creator’s block’ and gets me out of my own head. Everyone has so much to offer and there is always room to learn and grow. Variety is famously known as the spice of life and it’s nearly impossible to create good content in an isolated vacuum.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

There are many difficulties that come with choosing a creative career, but I’d rather shoulder those burdens than experience the hardships that come with a different industry that is not as fulfilling to me. Life is going to be tough either way, so I’d always suggest picking the thing that overall sounds the most exciting. As most people living in LA would probably agree with, there are a million different creative pursuits that I could dedicate time and energy to, and choosing how to spend my days nearly gives me analysis paralysis. This lifestyle can make the most decisive people unsure of how to proceed. How can I minimize my effort and maximize my returns? What is in demand now? How can I preemptively prepare myself for what will be in demand next year? Entrepreneurship is a constant state of problem-solving and pivoting, and the whiplash is oftentimes as exhausting as it is thrilling. There is always work to be done. As much as I love losing track of time in my ‘flow state’ and staying up till the early hours of the morning, I have to learn how to take a step back and strike that healthy balance. However, living in Los Angeles with millions of other artists experiencing the same problems and setbacks is a comfort; there is a strong ‘we are all in this together’ energy that brings a lot of solace.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://incandescentlyhappy.com
• Instagram: @incandescently.happy

Image Credits
The first photo of me is by Jill Petracek. All others are by me, Sonya Katarina.