Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Carney.
Colleen, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started photography when I was a senior in high school and my friend got a digital camera. She used to take photos and post them online and any time I saw them I would think “I could do better than that”. My terrible pride and competitive nature was what got me into shooting. When I started to take photos they were mostly of flowers, my dog, and sunsets, all for my mom, it wasn’t until college that I even had an interest in fashion photography because around that time I had a weird obsession with Zooey Deschanel. I went to school for commercial photography in rural Missouri for 3 years until I left to pursue photography elsewhere. After getting my associates degree, I moved to Chicago to start fashion photography more passionately.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a fashion/beauty photographer based here in Chicago, IL. I used to do fashion photography on the very base level of ‘these people are pretty, I want to take pretty photos of them’, but as my love of this form of photography grew, it became less about just taking a pretty photo and more about the message. One of the first editorial shoots I had published was about how the fashion industry constantly bombards models/every day people with images of perfection and how that takes a toll on our mental health. I’ve always been critical of how the industry makes woman feel about their bodies, skin, hair, etc. and how it can damage their self-esteem, but as of late instead of being angry, I’ve wanted to make change. My work has become much more lighthearted, colorful, and happy. I want to be able to capture the natural state of woman, rather than the sadness. This year I have also been working on a personal project to show this evolution of my photography as well.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Oof, this is a loaded question. If you asked me this last month I may give a different answer, or even if I was asked this in a week instead of now I may give a different answer. I feel like the conditions for an artist are constantly changing from day to day. As much as I’d like to think the age of technology is extremely encouraging and helpful for young artists, I also feel it can really hurt them. Being exposed to thousands upon thousands of other artists can really get you down with where you are in your skill level. I know for me, I have a terrible way of comparing myself and my work to everything around me. Being exposed to so many other photographers work every day makes me think ‘how did they get so good? why am I not that good?’, but honestly everyone is at a certain point in their life as an artist so comparing one journey to another will never feel right. (Was that a completely different tangent? I think so.)
I think the best way for cities to support artists, is for magazines, companies, etc. to pull local artists instead of going to other cities. If you need a graphic designer, look for one in Chicago instead of looking at some in New York. Chicago is full of such talented people that aren’t often as noticed as artists from other cities.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see my work on my website, Instagram, or Facebook (all under Colleen Carney Photography). Anyone can support my work just by leaving a comment on a photo whether it be good or bad or just looking at it or just even viewing it. As I mentioned I do have a project coming out at the end of this year too, called the Heartbreakers Calendar. You can support that by getting the digital FREE copy on my website once it is released, hopefully in November.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colleencarneyphotography.com/
- Email: cbcarney1s@gmail.com
- Instagram: Colleencarneyphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColleenCarneyPhotography/
Image Credit:
Photo of 3 models: MUAH// Erica Janssen & Rabecca Ann, Models (from left to right)// Sydney of MP, Juni of MP, and Chelsea of Ford
Photo of model on red backdrop: MUA// Latoya Howard, Hair// Kerry Pritchard, Styling// Jen Smothers, Model// Essence of Rock Agency
Photo of model in fur coat: MUAH// Erica Janssen. Styling// Nina Kallas, Model// Lynnea of FORD
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
