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.

Julien Salinas | Photographer & Art Student

I have always had a huge passion to begin working in sports. This led to me thinking about getting into sports business and even once wanting to become a referee. But as I looked into more careers in sports I found sports photography. I instantly fell in love with the thought of taking photos at any and all sporting events. I just want to get the opportunity to take photos of the numerous amazing moments that happen in sports. I recently read a quote in Rick Rubins’ book The Creative Act: A Way of Being that said “Artists allow us to see what we are unable to see, but somehow already know.” Read more>>

Christina Estes | Author & Reporter

As a child, I loved reading and dreamed of writing books. When I got older, I gravitated towards reporting because it seemed like a more practical way to combine my passion for reading and writing. Two mystery authors got me thinking seriously about writing a novel. J.A. Jance’s Ali Reynolds series, set in northern Arizona, planted the seed and Hank Phillippi Ryan’s Jane Ryland series, featuring a Boston reporter, helped it grow. Read more>>

Schyler Anderson | Wedding Photographer

In highschool, everyone knew what they wanted to go to college for and do for a living after school. I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I felt really lost. I started thinking about things I was good at, and things I enjoyed to do. I’ve picked up a lot of hobbies in my life, but none of them really stuck – except photography. I was always taking photos of EVERYTHING, and constantly had a camera in my hand. I thought, why not make this my career? I tried tons of creative portraiture, eventually moved on to doing commercial work for various brands, and then finally discovered weddings. Read more>>

Nina Nikolic | Landscape Designer

From my high school years, I was involved in Landscape architecture. That continued even today, and during covid I got the opportunity to start working on what I love. Design was always my thing. My first thing ever was playing The Sims, and I was little designer and builder from the start. Read more>>