We recently connected with Caroline Sharpnack and have shared our conversation below.
Caroline, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
When you’re making a living off of a creative passion, it can be hard to keep that creative spark alive. Running a photography business means more than just spending time behind the camera and in the post-production flow – it’s a combination of that with daily, monotonous tasks like invoicing, contracts, emails and more. I’ve always known that I was a highly creative person, but that doesn’t mean that I always feel deeply creative. When I start to feel burnt out and like I’m lacking creativity, there are a few things that I’ll turn to.
In the moment, when I’m having a creative block, I like to take a step back from my work and re-focus my mind and energy into something physical. Whether that’s a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood (walks are proven to boost creativity!), doing a quick workout at home or knocking a couple of chores off my to-do list, I always feel better mentally when I take care of myself physically. This way, I can come back to my creative work feeling a little more energized and fresh-minded.
I love to read, both fiction and non-fiction, and I think that this is a great way to foster your creativity. Letting my mind drift off into a good novel or learning about a topic through an informative nonfiction book (or even a podcast) always makes me feel like I’m growing towards a better version of myself. Nourish your mind = nourish your creativity.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention travel – this is my favorite way to keep my creativity alive. Whether it’s a day trip to a nearby city or a European getaway, experiencing a place for the first time is such a great way to light your creative spark. Museums, historic sight tours, public gardens and nature walks/hikes are some of my go-to’s for feeling inspired in a new city (these are great things to do in your own city, too… I love to play tourist for a day). I also love to wander with a film camera when I’m traveling, not putting any pressure on the photographs I take. Bonus points if you book a class or experience – learning a new skill while traveling is the ultimate creative boost!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As an Interior Photographer, I create images for interior designers, builders and architects with an eye for detail, an editorial approach and a strong focus on natural light. I hold value in collaborating closely with my clients in order to tell the story of a home.
My passion for photography began at the age of thirteen, when I was given my grandfather’s film camera. Ever since, I have continued to refine my craft and expand my love of photography both personally and professionally.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three important qualities/skills that have helped me get where I am today are kindness, communication and confidence. People will always remember when you’re kind, they will always appreciate good communication skills and they’ll always be impressed by a high level of confidence. It takes a lot of time, work and dedication to improve these qualities, but it’s worth it in the long run.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, the best thing I can do for myself is step away from what I’m doing and focus my energy into something else entirely. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, I try to get my mind off of whatever it is that’s overwhelming me. It could be a quick walk, a meditation or breathwork session on an app, a few chapters in a book, making a cup of tea – whatever you need to do to ground yourself so that you can come back to your work with a clear mind and tackle those overwhelming tasks that are on your plate. It may seem like you’re losing out on that time that you’re taking to step away, but in reality, you’re prioritizing yourself so that you have more to give to everyone who needs something from you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolinesharpnack.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinesharpnack
Image Credits
Photography: Caroline Sharpnack
