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.

Apollo Riego | Magician Unlimitedv

Growing up, I saw the likes of David Blaine and David Copperfield on television and thought to myself, “hey I can do that!” I’d be able to add my own flavor on stage since I have a dance, mime, and martial arts background. This made me stand out from the rest of the pack back in those days. It allowed me take a performance art and make it my own…there were no rules and I liked that. If there was one thing I hated, it was to be bound to limitations. Read more>>

Ella Miracle | Photographer

I have always wanted to be a creator and artist. I have always had a fascination for photographers, photographs, and paintings. But I am not really a painter. I love looking at art. Seeing older black and white photos. People are art pieces in themselves. Older photos of a town or place that once was. I was raised by a single mom who moved away to a small town. And growing up I never was able to communicate things with people very well. So naturally I got into trouble. After many years of snooping through my mother’s room while I was home alone. I discovered her Minolta film camera and all of her lenses. Not only did I start to discover more about my mom. I discovered my life passion. Seeing the world through a device with a lens that saves a photo. SO COOL. The device that created the photos I was always looking at. Naturally, I was never allowed to play with it because I was misbehaving by snooping around. But there is one thing I can say about my mom through every ruff road we traveled… she always rooted me to pursue my dreams of becoming a photographer. From eventually teaching me everything she knew about her Minolta, haha after the 100th time of me begging her to bring it out. From the time when I was a little older watching America’s Next Top Model with her on our TV in the early 2000s fascinated by the photos they produced, To the horror movies that would keep her up at night but turned into my favorites to this day by intriguing me with the cinematography and special FX. I would sit there with her, and dream of being able to create art with actors or models, hair and make-up, and wardrobe. I would always be asking to use her cameras to take photos. Even if it was just of me and our chickens in the back yard, Or helping me with a school video project. I always played with a camera and took photos on my free time. She always encouraged me to do what I love and always encouraged get into the industry. And so I did. Read more>>

Debora Collins | Alternative Book Publisher and Author

I grew up in a dysfunctional home. My only escape from my reality was when I would read books from my school’s library. I would imagine having the perfect life and going on exciting adventures like the characters in the stories. Once I became an adult, I published my own books and eventually started a publishing company to assist others who don’t know where to start with writing a book. I just want to assist people from all walks of life in telling their unique stories. Read more>>