Meet Heather Morrow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Morrow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Heather, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

The January 7, 2025, Eaton Fire took my Altadena home and ceramic studio, forcing me to reflect deeply on optimism—what it means, and how it endures in the face of great loss.

I’ve always been an optimist, believing in the good in people and situations until proven otherwise. Even in hardship, I focus on what “can” be done, searching for ways to move forward rather than dwell on what’s beyond my control.

That resilience was instilled in me early. My parents taught me the value of hard work—if I wanted something, I had to earn it. Chores weren’t just tasks; they were lessons in perseverance. If I wanted a bike or roller skates, I had to put in the effort.

Years later, when I moved to LA, a friend shared a simple mantra: “This too shall pass.” It has stayed with me, a quiet reminder that even in moments of despair, there is always a way through.

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?

I am, at heart, a *Creative Soul*. For 22 years, my hands shaped clay, bringing form and beauty to earth and fire. But in 2025, the Eaton Fire reduced both my Altadena home and pottery studio to ash. I left with only my cameras—now, my focus (pun intended) is entirely on photography.

My love for photography began in the early 1970s with a small Kodak Instamax, capturing the vibrant festivals of Japan. Inspired by my parents—both Nikon devotees—I developed an instinct for composition at a young age.

High school deepened that passion. A formal photography class introduced me to the meticulous craft of film development, and with my father’s guidance, I built a darkroom. Soon, I became the official photographer for school plays, preserving theatrical moments with care and precision. Those negatives, once filled with youthful creativity, were lost in the fire.

Through the years, I explored many artistic mediums—oil painting, ceramics, and more. While I first embraced digital photography in 2003, it wasn’t until the pandemic that I truly reignited my vision behind the lens, transforming fleeting moments into lasting works of art. Now, photography is more than a creative pursuit—it’s a way to reclaim, preserve, and bear witness to the beauty that remains.

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?

Looking back, I’d tell my younger self that changing dreams doesn’t mean failure—it means growth.

Follow whatever calls to you; let it be your North Star, until the time comes to find a new passion.

Life moves in waves—joy and sorrow, triumph and loss, each shaping the journey in unexpected ways.

As my dad always reminded me, “Life is too short to sweat the small stuff (and it’s all small stuff).” And, “Shoot for the moon—you might just land among the stars.”

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Wisdom is everywhere—woven into books, scattered across the internet, waiting to be discovered. Read widely, absorb what resonates, and let go of what doesn’t.

Quotes can be powerful guides, helping to focus your energy and shift your perspective. I keep a box of quote cards, swapping them out every few days for fresh inspiration.

Recently, I read “Let Them” by Mel Robbins—a reminder to release the need to control others and instead focus on your own path.

This is “your” journey. Make it one worth traveling.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

(c) Heather C. Morrow, Photographer

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