Meet Carol Schiraldi

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

Hi Carol, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
As a society, we have grown to value diversity, but this was not always the case. I have always worked in male dominated fields, first in technology and later as a photographer. This can be difficult at times, as it forces you to stand your ground, to forge your way in the arena, even to find your own voice. It can be a real challenge for sure. Personally, I have benefited from some great mentors. I’ve been lucky enough to study with some highly successful female photographers, and they really helped me see how a woman’s voice could be heard and not get lost in the sea of male vision.

There really is no magic bullet here. We are all different, and we all bring our differences to the table as we work. To be successful in the arts, you really have to make your own way, to craft not only great work but you own opportunities. No two journeys are alike, so it boils down to accepting that your path is unique and embracing all that is unique about you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Thanks for having me, I’m happy to be included and to share a little bit about myself. My name is Carol and I’m an artist and photographer currently living in the Austin, Texas area. In 1992, I moved across the country to Texas, where I didn’t know anybody and knew little about the area. As an excuse to get to know my new surroundings, I picked up a used Nikon camera at the local camera shop. The technology industry drew me to Austin, where I worked as a computer programmer, which is desk job and does not allow time for outdoor exploration. Looking to get out more, I started exploring the small towns around central Texas, my new hometown. What started out of curiosity grew into, well, what I would have to call an obsession of sorts. Basically, I’ve been behind the lens ever since, moving from having a small show at a local ice cream shop to exhibiting my work in larger venues. This year, I will have another exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, corresponding to my work being included in a book launch promoted by a Mediterranean gallery there. Along the way, I’ve been the author of a popular photography blog, Carol’s Little World, and a website and online gallery showcasing my work. I’m excited about launching new merchandise, introducing gifts like t-shirts, tote bags, phone cases, throw pillows, and more. It’s a great way to showcase art and allow folks to showoff their unique style while supporting the arts.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, I am learning a lot on my journey, it’s a process really, an evolution of sorts. I consider myself a lifelong learner. Being a great photographer does not always translate to being a successful business owner, in fact, it’s often the opposite. Some of the greatest photographers I know are very lacking in the business end of things. Launching my business was almost like getting a seat of your pants MBA of sorts (for me anyway, as I did not come from a business background, moving into it from technology.)

Some of my favorite quotes can speak to this. “The plural of luck is skill!” That’s a favorite of mine. Often, we think people are lucky but more often the luckiest people work hard behind the scenes and fail as often as they get lucky. “If you’re going through Hell, keep going!” The great unknown in any business is time. Success often comes to those who persist, so just simply don’t give up and keep going. You can only fail if you quit so just don’t quit. Finally, “they don’t call it art work for nothing” is another great quote and an inspiration to me. A lot of people think the arts are fun, and they can be, but don’t underestimate the value of good old fashioned hard work. It can help make any business successful.

My advice to those starting out would be to keep trying, develop your skills and craft, don’t give up, and try to maintain a good work ethic but have fun along the way.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Carol’s Little World is looking to start including photographer’s work, along with interviews or discussions about the work. I have always been an art focused photographer, opting to focus on the artistic language, the language of visual arts, rather than the camera and equipment side of things. Sometimes, I help critique images for camera clubs or speak to art groups and I’m always approached by people telling me things like, “oh! You really speak to the art of photography, as opposed to the camera side of things.”

I am going to launch a new feature where I have a casual discussion with another photographer about their work. It won’t be about camera, lens, and the like, more about the impact your work is making, your inspiration, your artistic vision, and such, in a true casual discussion, like a kitchen table chat between two like-minded artists. If you would like to be featured in this way, please contact me through Carol’s Little World. I’m not looking for a specific subject or style, just a good discussion about the art, vision, and craft of photography.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Carol Schiraldi

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