Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Spider GeMo | Cosplay Model & Burlesque Performer

Art is everywhere. Art is inevitable. I believe art is one of the most universal languages of all time. Whether it be you taste, sight, or even hear it, whatever of your senses it may be, it gets a point across! Reason why I decided to take cosplaying seriously. Because often I never saw people as expressive as me growing up. Weather we were the same shape or color, I was normally left out of things as a child up till now. So when I get out there and model or whatever it may be in the cosplay community, I want to pay the path for those who feel left out so they can too feel seen. Read more>>

Hailey West | Video Editor and Animator

I feel like growing up, the idea of having a career in the creative field was shut down by every adult in my life. Like it can be a fun hobby but you have to go get a “real job” to sustain yourself. This mindset followed me into adulthood and it wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I realized, hey, this is a career! Not only did I realize that it was a viable option but it was one that I loved. I was excited to go to work every day and learn and grow as an editor and animator. Five years later and I’m still learning and growing and I look forward to it. Sure there are days when work can get me down but most days are overwhelmingly fulfilling. Read more>>

Jacob Louis | Photographer & Painter

When you’re growing up as a creative you always hear, ” Well, that’s nice you have a hobby but what are you going to do for a job that makes money?” But then you also hear, ” Go! and do what you love. You only have one life to live…” I got to the point where I had jobs that made good money, but I wasn’t really excited for them, and I wasn’t happy. Then I started losing those jobs and had to make the jump to pursue what I love. I saw lots of people making a living as a creative or artist, and thought to myself, “I’m better than they are and they’re making a living, so why can’t I?” It’s not an easy transition for sure, but it s the new thrill. of creating something to make you stand out and it’s been fun. I’ve been photographing, developing and printing for 10 plus years, honing my skill and expressing my unique style that I wanted to share with others and their projects. I have always loved the tangible feeling of the camera and the darkroom print, so I started doing what I love. Read more>>

Mara Elizabeth | Owner & Lead Photographer

Even as a little girl I loved creating things. My room was my art space and my imagination went to work so easily. I have dabbled in a lot of different hobbies that made me a creative! While I loved to create things out of nothing I found that I loved capturing things that were already beautiful and showcasing that beauty. Photography is just that, you take something that is already beautiful and tell a story about it through color and light. Read more>>