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.

Sara Moreno | Pet Photographer

Opening a small business in Pet Photography as a Latina has always been a dream of mine. Being able to express yourself through a lens is probably one of the best ways for someone to get to know you as a person. This is the main reason why it was so easy to decide to take the path of a creative career, it challenges you every single day. There’s always something new to learn about, from getting to know the struggles and accomplishments of a person and their faithful service dog to capturing a rescue dog’s first day in its forever home. Read more>>

charlotte surand | INTERIOR DESIGNER

As the daughter of a contractor, I witnessed the transformative power of design from an early age. Combining my innate passion for aesthetics with my upbringing, pursuing an artistic career as an interior designer became a natural choice to channel my creativity into shaping inspiring and functional spaces. Read more>>

Kirsten Mattijsen | Artist and Designer

Well, to be perfectly honest, I don’t think I had much choice in the matter. Even if I’d become say a lawyer or purely a businesswoman, something creative would have found me; it’s in my genes on both sides, literally! My mom is artistic, a writer and energy worker, and was a dancer, my father was an artist (albeit never fully realized), a great-grandmother on his side painted, and on my mother’s paternal side, actually come from a famous line of French painters.. Read more>>

Myleka Barnett | Photographer

I decided to pursue an artistic career because, I’ve always been into the arts as a child. I love anything that is art related whether that be music, dance, paintings, etc. I’ve danced my entire life, and have a great love for music. I also use to really enjoy painting and sketching in my sketchbook on my free time. Photography is something I’ve always been passionate about, I consider photography art. You can capture so many emotions in a single image. Still images can be interpreted like a painting and I love that. Read more>>

Bree Gordon Lukosavich | Board Certified Music Therapist, Business Owner, Speaker

I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to pursue an artistic and creative career. Being able to put my passion to work if such a gift, and having the opportunity to use my music to help others is an absolute honor. Music and creativity gave me a voice, allowed me to be seen and heard and created opportunities and connections for me throughout my life. Knowing that I could be the person who provides this opportunity to another through music is an incredible feeling. Read more>>