Meet Caitie Corkal

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caitie Corkal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Caitie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I don’t think we have just one purpose in life, and I think having a purpose is usually more of a self-choice than something perhaps spiritually destined for you… but I think my purpose (or at least one of my purposes), is to create art. Not necessarily “good” art, and not necessarily art that anyone but me will ever see… but creating art, of any kind, gives me purpose. It took me most of my life to come to that realization (or maybe acceptance?) even though it has been clear as day since my earliest memories.

I’ve always felt a deep connection to art. Like most kids growing up, I was constantly drawn to creative expression, and I had a huge imagination. I would spend hours and hours alone in my room, escaping into my imagination. I would play with Barbie’s as if they were real people with full character traits and backstories. I would write songs and poems and draw pictures and play out all the vast worlds, stories and characters that I dreamt up. I was convinced I would be an actress or a singer or any type of artist when I grew up.

As I got a little older, I loved to try my hand at any and every artistic medium, from painting to clay sculpting, to writing, to music, and every medium in between. When I was about 12 years old, I got my first digital camera for Christmas, and immediately began to love using it as another artistic tool. I remember spending hours experimenting with light and perspective, and practicing on trees and birds and anything I could find outside. When I was a teenager, I would dress up in old costumes or vintage outfits and put on some theatrical makeup to take “artistic” self portraits of myself (there are a few I hope never see the light of day again). I would have sleepovers with friends where we would all get dolled up and take photos of ourselves as if we were in some alternative version of Vogue. I would continue enjoying making art and using photography as a fun way to use my creativity on and off for many years, but it never once occurred to me that it was something I could do for a living.

As I became an adult, the many pressures and responsibilities of life made it difficult for me to have much time, or energy or motivation to do much of any sort of artistic outlet. But without creating art, without expressing myself, without getting to use my creativity for my own joy and growth, I found myself pretty depressed, lost and without much purpose for a number of years. Over time I began to realize that these passions were more than just little hobbies, they were essential to my happiness. Creating art truly ignites my soul and gives me purpose. So, I started slowly getting back into my lifelong passions; I began painting, drawing, making clay sculptures, writing, music, and so much more. It started to breathe new life into me again. But it wasn’t until I began to learn more about photography in my adult life that I discovered how limitless using a camera as an artistic tool could be in expressing myself and bringing my imagination to life (I know that sounds so dramatic and cliché, but it’s true). I have found that photography allows me to express my mind in a way that feels limitless and special to me. I began to take photography more seriously, honing my skills, learning new techniques, and diving deeper into the creative process.

The turning point came when I realized that photography and art was something that I could provide for others and pursue in a professional way. I started to see that I could build a career doing what I loved— telling stories, capturing moments, and creating art that connects with others. Deciding to pursue Photography as a career was a terrifying next step, but it also felt like embracing the path I had always been meant to walk. Now, I have been a professional photographer and artist for about 3 years, and every project feels like an opportunity to push my creative limits further and to continue living my purpose as an artist.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My lifelong passion for art and music has inspired me to specialize in creative portraiture, editorials, and music photography. I have had the privilege of being internationally published in several magazines and online publications including the New York Post, I’ve had my work featured in a photography exhibition, and my work has been used for album artwork and many marketing campaigns. I also do some graphic design and custom paintings, drawings and illustrations.

My photography business ‘Caitie Corkal Photography’ provides services of portraits, conceptual portraits, editorials, fashion, music, fine art and more – often with tones that lean on the darker side, sometimes with touch of fantasy.

Over the years I’ve expanded my photography business to include a Commercial and Branding Photography branch called ‘Creative Hive Media’, as well as a Wedding & Family Photography branch called ‘Fables & Lore Photography’. The commercial side allows me to work with brands, bringing their vision to life through dynamic visuals, whether that’s product photography, lifestyle shots, or creative campaigns. Wedding and family photography has become another avenue where I can tell deeply personal stories, capturing the emotions, beauty, and fleeting moments of life and love.

I absolutely love what I do, and I love to work in a wide variety of types of photography as it allows me to challenge myself, utilize my creativity, and continually grow as photographer.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

For me, the three most important qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are;

1. Courage – My fears of putting my art into the world was nearly the end of my photography and art career before it even started. Like most artists, my art can be tied so closely to my identity and my intimate thoughts and feelings. It can feel like an extension of yourself, so sharing even a simple, small piece can feel incredibly vulnerable and intimidating. I have always really struggled with self doubt and self criticism, and I judge my own work with more harshness than anyone else ever could. My impossible standards for myself and my criticism of my own work can be completely debilitating sometimes. I also really struggle with the fear of judgement, criticism, and even mockery from others when it comes to my work. I am a very shy person…like A VERY, VERY, VERY SHY person, so putting my work out there for the world to see (and potentially judge, criticize or mock) has taken every ounce of courage I have at times. I would, and still do sometimes, work myself up to shaking and nausea and heart palpitations over just posting a photo. (I know that is so dramatic, but it’s true) It is still something I struggle with, and probably always will because we all never think we’re good enough, but it gets slightly less scary year by year, and gaining the courage to put some of my work out in the world has already helped me grow as an artist and as a person immensely since I first began.

2. Thirst for knowledge and improvement – When I bought my first professional camera, it was a very eye-opening moment to realize that I was completely out of my depth. I was naïve about the complexity of learning how to use such a technical piece of equipment. I’m sure most people have no problem figuring out the ins and outs of the manual camera settings, which lens are best for what, how to edit a photo professionally, how to use lighting, how to take a photo with complete precision according to all of the cardinal photography rules – but I was totally confused and overwhelmed. I also have ADHD and for me it has made learning anything, let alone all on my own, much more difficult than the average person, and it is often very discouraging, so I often just give up. But this time I didn’t. I have been determined to learn as much as I can about every aspect of photography, cameras, editing, lighting, and everything else that will make me a better photographer. I still have a long, long way to go, and know I’ve have barely scratched the surface of learning and growing, but I am so passionate about improving day after day, year after year, to become the best photographer I can possibly be.

3. Allowing yourself to fail – I know everyone says it, but it’s true. Failing absolutely sucks, but it is absolutely part of the journey. I am still telling myself this too. Sometimes you’re going to fail, sometimes you’re going to suck. But we have to learn from failing and sucking to get better.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

To be honest, I feel overwhelmed quite often. I want to do everything and be everything and then I over work myself, over schedule myself and overwhelm myself. When I get overwhelmed, I try to organize my schedule so that I can make a plan of action to complete all of my deadlines, I try to ask for help when I need it, and I try to learn that its okay to say “no” sometimes so that I can have time and room for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CaitieCorkal.com / www.CreativeHiveMedia.ca / www.FablesAndLore.ca
• Instagram: MAIN ACCOUNT: @caitiecorkalphotography / Commerical: @creativehivemedia.ca / Weddings: @fablesandlorephotography
• Facebook: @caitiecorkalphotography

Image Credits

Caitie Corkal Photography