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.

Valeria Torres-Zamarripa

I grew up loving art in all its forms and mediums but I was always told that an artistic or creative career would never make enough money. Although it is true that many artists don’t make as much as other occupations, I decided to pursue an artistic career because it’s what makes me happy. Above all art has always been a constant in my life and it has always allowed me to express myself through all stages of my life. I knew that if I were to pursue anything other than photography I would not be fully satisfied. Although money is great the most important thing to me is living a full life and I believe that pursuing an artistic career allows me to do so. Read More>>

Karla Sandoval

Growing up, I’ve always been passionate about art, and my love for drawing eventually evolved into a fascination with photography. In middle school, I was thrilled to receive disposable cameras from my mom, capturing anything that caught my eye and eagerly awaiting the developed photos. As I progressed to high school, my interests expanded to home interior and fashion design, with aspirations to pursue a career in fashion design or architecture. While my path ultimately led me to photography, I’m heartened to see how my various interests intersect and complement one another. Read More>>

Alysha Rose

I chose to pursue an artistic career because creativity has always been a core part of who I am. I love bringing ideas to life from scratch, watching something evolve from nothing into something meaningful is truly beautiful. Having the skills to create and provide that transformation for my clients has made this career the most rewarding decision I’ve made for myself and my family. Read More>>

Sonny Steinberg

For the longest time I was dead set on a traditional 9-5 job, ones in which my parents have. This didn’t excite me. I was willing to risk to do what I love even if it means the next project isn’t the last Read More>>

Adua

I think my first career idea came when I was about five or six. I wanted to make comic strips for the Sunday newspaper. That was always my favorite part of the paper my dad brought home, and I thought it would be the coolest job in the world. After that, the idea of an art career started to feel more like a daydream. No one really talked about art as a serious option, so I explored other paths, medicine, journalism, you name it. Read More>>