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.

Adam Easterling | Vocalist of a metal band from Nashville, TN

Starting out with Orthodox (circa 2012) – all we wanted to do was play shows with our favorite bands when they came through town. We wrote songs that we thought would draw an exciting reaction out of our friends at the gigs, and we were really excited to play a set; sometimes as often as every two weeks! The moment that all of that really changed and we realized we had potential to make something real out of this didn’t come until a few years down the road. Read more>>

Brooke G. Tolbert | Actress

My parents have always said that I was a drama queen! Since I was very little, I’ve been very outgoing and funny and dramatic! So when it came to acting, it was natural for me. It really fell into my lap during the pandemic. I watched the Clark Sister’s movie so many times, I almost memorized it. My dad recorded me acting out all of the parts from one of the scenes and the rest is history! Read more>>

Aaron Sumlin | Music Producer, Songwriter, & Artist

I chose to pursue an artistic, creative career because, I couldn’t see my self doing anything else. For as long as I can remember, music, and art have always been apart of my life. I attempted to go to school for electrical engineering, However, it was short lived. It just wasn’t me. From that moment on, I knew what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Victoria Carey | Dessert themed candle maker

I have always been an artistic person. I am very creative with my hands. I enjoy creating beautiful things. I am also a huge foodie who favor desserts, so being in a position where I can incorporate both is a huge blessing. Read more>>

Paige Hubbard | Photographer/CEO of Fresh Start Talent Academy

It first started with my husband placing a camera in my hands and said “you could probably do more with this than me.” I began taking photos preparing for my second born son. I just wanted him to have really nice baby pictures. As we got more creative with our shoots, people began asking me to take their kid’s photos or capture a special moment in a family. Read more>>

Erick Rattler | Music artist

Since kid I had huge passion for music growing up listen to my mom playin her 70’s n 80’s music threw out the house to my uncle building a studio in our backyard so I always had my ear out for music listen to biggie smaller, dr Dre, pun, krs1, BigL, drake, future, to drill music witch mostly what I listen to now. Read more>>

Josefina Sola | Singer

I was a natural creator as a child. It’s how I express my self and knowing through my art I can help people express themselves as well makes it all worth it. Read more>>

Joey Ellis-Sayers | 🍓 Ghostwriting LinkedIn Content for Thought Leaders & Established Businesses🍓 || 🔥MBA Student 🔥 || Demand Generation Specialist || Marketing Outside the Lines & Business Outside the Box, Let’s Do Something Fun!

I’ve always been a creative spirit. I remember being really young, and my favorite things were reading, writing, and drawing. Art and creative expression came naturally to me. It’s funny ~ before my Papa passed on, he told me, “I’m gonna get you coal for Christmas” (jokingly of course) and I told him that was fine with me, I would still love it because I could do art with it. It became one of my favorite Mediums, and I still enjoy working with it. Read more>>

Shaira Lanice Fitzpatrick | Actress , Performer

I believe I communicate best when I am creating. Since I was young, I’ve always loved to learn and try new things. Pursing acting and other arts allows me to grow and take risks while applying what I’m passionate about. I act, sing and dance. I took a leap, when I came to Atlanta to further my career and I have gained so much confidence and love for the City. Read more>>

Christopher Fenderson | Artist, Songwriter, Radiology Technologist & Military Vet

Music was always in my family I played snare drums, I use to be in my church chior. I loved to mess with my car stereo systems growing up. So I understood hertz and frequencys a little. Music kinda chose me. I had to have surgery and I was stuck at home for over a month. Jimmie Fenderson suggested that I needed to do music. I told him that its not for me. He said you have a voice and it won’t hurt to try. Read more>>

DJIAN | DJ

I wanted to become a dj when my mother & father had their wedding in the fall of 2010. The way the Dj was interacting with the crowd made me interesting in becoming a dj.Once’s I decided that I wanted to become a dj I got my first iPad for Christmas and I downloaded this app called “edjing mixer” and i taught myself how to mix & blend from song to song. I got my first booked at a family Barbecue. I was excited to experience my first set with family & friends. Read more>>

Catch These Hands | Melodic Punk Band

Music has been a part of all of our lives for quite some time. Our passion for listening was a catalyst for creating our own. Each one of us has been on an individual path of writing, creating and producing. That is what is so great about being part of a band; you come together to make something work and with that sometimes you find greatness. Read more>>

Quarantino Da GAWD | Entrepreneur

I pursued a career in music because I wanted to be able to express my artistic side and control the narrative and opinion on what modern hip hop is today. Read more>>

Isaiah White | Isaiah White: Owner of KarielPictureStudios

My shift from elementary to middle school was the first of many events that have had an impact on my creative career. In elementary school, all I could think about was attending the same school as my pals. I had to be accepted into the performing arts program in order to attend General Ray Davis Middle School because most of my friends wanted to go there. Because my mother is an excellent photographer, I made the decision to study in photography because I assumed it would be simple. Read more>>

Kristen Kessler | Writer

I didn’t let myself pursue something creative as a career until I realized I was unfulfilled without it. Even though I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember, I am also pragmatic. When I was in college and making career choices, I wanted financial stability and considered creative writing a luxury. I didn’t think I’d enjoy my life if I had to struggle in adulthood like I did in childhood, so I focused on practical work instead. What I didn’t know was that the artist part of you will struggle too, if you don’t let it out. Read more>>

Michele Noma | Lead Photographer + Owner

Through a series of events, i believe my steps were orchestrated and the business of school photography chose me. The school photos started as a volunteer project to raise money for a school; it was my idea to hold photo sessions to raise money for the project. And I wasn’t the one taking photos – it was another mom who we had recruited at my children’s preschool who took the photos. It was during this project that I self-taught/learned how to design & budget for a photo shoot, creatively direct a shoot, organize student data for picture identification purposes, how to edit photos, and how to use proofing software. Read more>>

Lucia Matuonto | Podcaster & Book Author

I have always been very artistic, and I’ve always thought of myself as someone who lives creatively. Ever since a young age, I’ve always loved writing and reading. I co-authored a book with my sister, I wrote for blogs, I’ve taken drama classes, I painted. Even as a physiotherapist, I would create stories for the kids who were my patients, to help them feel more comfortable. Read more>>