We had the good fortune of connecting with Wes Milton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wes, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
In 2015 and the early part of 2016 I was drowning and in downward spiral of self destruction. I eventually found myself locked in a hotel room for a few days dangerously detoxing from all the booze I had consumed for the past few years. I think what most people don’t realize is how dangerous going cold turkey from booze can be if you’ve drank a certain amount or a certain proof everyday for months to years at a time. I started having severe delirium tremens and was scared out of my mind. Since my fiancée was in a another state at the time, I called just about everyone in my contact list to come and get me. I had a good friend rush across the whole state of Alabama and help get me to another friend in Tennessee, who then helped me get to my fiancée in North Carolina. With her encouragement, and tough love, I entered myself into a detox program and rehabilitation. Turns out those delirium tremens really did almost kill me. That day was May 7, 2016 and I am still sober. And also still breathing. Since then I have made it my mission to help others in need. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Oh boy. This is always a tough question to answer. I wear a lot of different creative hats so its difficult to narrow one question down to just a single form of art. I consider myself a renaissance man. I like to indulge in many different mediums of art. My college degree and training is as an actor and I have worked professionally as one since 2012. From acting, I began directing and choreographing. Eventually I started getting into pyrotechnics and a few years later I am designing special effects for large theatre companies. In 2018, Tina (fiancée) asked if I didn’t have theatre, what would I want to do? I quickly answered either photography or making movies. That is how The Creative Raven was born. The Creative Raven first started as an Instagram nickname, but quickly evolved into a brand and a business. I picked Raven because they are misunderstood birds: intelligent, quirky, and mysterious. That’s me! The Creative Raven focuses on photography, videography, and independent filmmaking, along with selling other mediums of artwork like paintings and ink. In 2021, we are kicking off a brand new YouTube series called Creative Recovery which will focus on how art can help keep you sober! It’s not been easy. Photography itself is the most expensive and technical hobby one could choose. It took a lot of practice, and a lot of patience from my friends modelling to get me to where I am today. Video, being very similar, has its own different technical skills. Photography has taught me patience. It’s so easy to snap a photo and call it a day. But that is not how Pulitzer Prize or NatGeo Cover photos are taken. It requires years of practice and the ability to stay calm in high stress situations, to slow down and fine tune the settings so that you get the best exposure and photograph that you can. What I want people to know the most about The Creative Raven is that it’s me. I take the photographs and I edit the photographs. No one else but me. If we are shooting a music video. I am filming and editing it, and I am assembling the best crew in Atlanta to help deliver the best product with the best professional quality. Yes, I am an addict. I am proud to tell people I am sober. I made it. Not many are so lucky. Lastly, The Creative Raven is an LGBTQ+ friendly company and we recognize and respect all genders.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Best ATL Weekend Ever (post Covid) Friday – Lunch at Varsity and take a trip to the Bodies Museum in Atlantic Station. What better way than to see science and art blended. From there we will walk to the Millennium Gate Museum and Park to view the sunset. Something about the lighting there is perfect! Saturday – We are in Midtown enjoying the city life. We check out a show at Alliance and see some art at the High Museum. We walk to Downtown and have a boujee dinner at the top of The Westin in the rotating restaurant. Then we end the night riding the Ferris Wheel. Sunday – We pack a picnic and head over to Piedmont Park and have lunch and people watch and view the skyline. We then walk the beltline up to Ponce City Market, do some shopping before walking up to Krog Street Market to have dinner. We then head on over to Krog Street Tunnel to do some dope pictures. Next we Uber/Lyft to Jackson Street Bridge so they can see the whole skyline lit up.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many wonderful humans in my story. Tina, my fiancee, is my life partner, my rock, and my business partner. She and I met in college and have worked together in theatre as actors, directors, and pyrotechnicians. She helped me build my business from the ground up! She’s there for me at home but also on location when I need her. Have you ever had someone read your mind? That’s Tina. The best shoulder to cry on. The best person to pull you away from people when you need to let out a scream of anxiety. Kallie and Kathryn of Essence To Crux Theatre, thank you both for, not only your friendship but our business partnership. I still can’t believe you guys trust me enough to direct shows, as well as take photos of your beautiful shows, and still feed me at Thanksgiving! Marina, John, Laura, and Thad of Unto These Hills Outdoor Theatre, thank you all for constantly hiring me back and trusting me with explosives. I absolutely enjoy going to Cherokee every summer to set up your pyrotechnics and keep the cast, crew, and audience safe! You guys were also there when I needed help the most and I never will forget the encouragement I got when I sought sobriety. I am forever grateful. Eric and Zach, thank you for being my sober pals and always keeping me accountable and being there when I need you. Erica, thank you for always being available when I have crazy photography questions. Colin, Will, Dustin, Philenia, Devon, Erin, Mitzi, Chris, Mark, Cody, Cameron, Kaki, Johnathan, Possum, Kyle, Anna, Terrance, Charis, Kammy, Dia, and Madison, I have known some of you for years and some only for a few months; however, you guys have always been there and offered encouragement when I needed it. Your friendship means the world to me as does your support.

Website: https://www.creativeravenmedia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.creative.raven/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativeravenmedia

Image Credits
Photography by Wes Milton (The Creative Raven) and Tina Neese

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