Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Michaela Bakondy | Portrait Photographer

From my perspective photography has always been a part of my life. I didn’t grow up in an artistic family but I did have a grandfather who loved taking pictures and I think that’s where it all started for me. I was lucky enough to stumble into a photography class my freshman year of high school and spent the next four years soaking up as much as I could about the art form from two amazing teachers and artists. Read more>>

Carolina Camacho | Jewelry Maker

When I moved to the United States in 2008 from my country Venezuela, I got very depressed. I missed my home, my family, my friends, and everything I knew. Coming to a new country was hard, especially since I left my career in Venezuela. I have a PhD in Education and I was a university professor at the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Teaching my students over Molecular Biology and being around my coworkers filled me with happiness. Read more>>

Jamaal Roy | Recording Artist & Fashion Designer

I’d like to say this path chose me. I have all these ideas in my head. Some are good, some are bad. Some sound better in my head than the actual finished product. But it drives me crazy to not get it out. I lose sleep over it sometimes. After a while it stopped being about the people and became more about my sanity. Read more>>