Meet Craig West

Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig West.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m originally from the east coast, a North Carolina guy and Tar Heel born and bred, but just over a year ago I took the leap out west to live in California and pursued travel in both Utah and Arizona. I’ve always loved photography and had a passion for capturing images, but I took it to the next level when I finally decided to purchase a DSLR camera in 2014. Five years later, I look back and see that as a life-changing moment — the places I’ve seen with my camera by my side and through many different lenses have been spectacular. I especially love the southwest U.S. for its uniqueness. No other landscape anywhere that I’ve traveled thus far has rivaled it. I know there are many places I’ve yet to explore in Arizona, and I sure hope I can get back down there soon.

Please tell us about your art.
I classify myself as a landscape photographer primarily. I have a background in both photography and videography and love to do both while I’m visiting locations. I create photographs using my Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR camera and a variety of lenses, but the gear isn’t really what’s important — it’s having an eye for beauty in the world. So the way I like to describe ‘how’ I create photos is by simply paying attention to my surroundings. I carry my camera everywhere because one can never know when the sunset is going to light up the sky, or where your day-to-day travels might take you. I pay attention to the way light hits surfaces in the morning and evening, and what leading lines catch my eye, whether it’s a road, path, trees, or clouds. That, to me, is ‘how’ I approach photography. I don’t go looking for things to shoot. I just carry my camera, enjoy the scenery, and click away when I see something that stands out. And what I hope folks who view my photography can take away from this is the desire to go find beauty in their day-to-day lives, whether it’s a walk down by your neighborhood creek, or a trip you’ve been wanting to go on for oh so long now. I want to share the beauty of the world with those who can’t witness it, but also want to encourage and motivate those who can to go do so, and as I like to say — don’t postpone your joy.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
As an artist, the way I define success is simple, and that is so long as you are getting joy out of the work you do and it brings a smile to your face, you are being successful. I try to remind myself constantly that the reason I initially got into photography is because I enjoyed it and it relaxed me. My way of thinking is if I lose that joy, why am I really doing photography anyway? And if I start wondering why I’m doing photography, am I really putting my best foot forward? And if I’m not putting my best foot forward, and I really able to create the best images? And if I’m not creating the best images, and I really going to be successful? The foundation for success is the passion you are able to put into the craft. At the end of the day, enjoying what you do is essential to and directly impacts your success. I think that goes for our personal and professional lives. Passion is what drives us to be the best version of ourselves.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can find my work at www.craigwestphotography.com or on social media — Instagram: @CraigWestPhoto; Facebook: Craig West Photography. The best way to support my work is to engage and have conversations about the photos or videos that you like on my pages. I try to respond to everyone who comments on my work, and really love to have conversations about cameras, nature, or hey, whatever it is you want to talk about after we connect through the art of photography.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.craigwestphotography.com
• Email: craig@craigwestphotography.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/craigwestphoto
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/craigwestphotography

Image Credit:
Craig West Photography

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