Art & Life with Karlie Colleen Lestina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlie Colleen Lestina.

Karlie Colleen, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I come from a family of artist and musicians, my grandmother is extremely talented and has had several forms of art throughout her life, the last being her successful career as a glass artist. When I was younger, my mother let me express myself in every way imaginable. The walk to the bus stop was my runway, and every morning I showed the neighborhood the newest look. I thank God for such a loving mom that let me explore and encouraged my expression. While I was never a great painter or singer, I found my art behind and in front of the camera. From grade school on I was producing short films with my VHS tapes, to the iMac Photobooth camera, to eventually my first camera in middle school. I saved for years and when I finally collected almost a thousand dollars from babysitting and chores I bought my first DSLR. From there I continued to make videos of my high school and college experience, and while photography was always my hobby, it started to become my job near the end of my senior year of high school. I worked part-time with Karlie Colleen Photography through college and went full time in September 2016.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a videographer and photographer of all sorts. While I shoot just about anything, my primary focus is people and businesses. Weddings and seniors are about half of my business, and the other half is focused on helping businesses with their online presence through visual imagery. I love working with bloggers, entrepreneurs, and business small and large to help them brand themselves online and show the internet who they are or what they do!

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Such a great question! I am very blessed to come from two entrepreneurs that taught me the definition of hard work, which is, “a great deal of effort or endurance.” My parents really focused on that second word; endurance. It is easy to work hard for a few weeks or months, but to be an artist and get to a financial place where you can do it full time, you must be in it for the long haul. If you are truly passionate about your art and that is what you are meant to do, you will make it happen. Meet with a CPA, get educated on running a business, and value your work appropriately, you will be successful if you have the endurance to push through all of those obstacles to make your art a full-time sustainable career.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am just about everywhere!

My website is www.karliecolleenphotography.com

And my Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube is @KarlieColleenPhotography

I am extremely active on my social accounts and love to share BTS of shoots, editing, and some educational topics!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karliecolleenphotography.com
• Email: karliecolleen@gmail.com
• Instagram: @KarlieColleenPhotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karliecolleenphotography

Image Credit:
All mine @karliecolleenphotography

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