CLEO CARTWRIGHT

PHOTOGRAPHER

CHICAGO, IL

5 favorite musical artists of all time? 

1. Dru Hill

2. Aaliyah

3. Jhene Akio

4. Usher

5. Missy Elliot

What inspires you? 

Studying old magazines. Looking up my favorite old school fashion photographers and studying different lighting styles.

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

I would tell myself that no one else is you, and that is your superpower. Stay creative. Stay weird.

What industry blogs/websites/podcasts do you enjoy?

https://blackwomenphotographers.com/

https://ishootshows.com

Small Doses With Amanda Seales- Podcast

Therapy for black girls- Podcast

Whoreible Decisions- Podcast

What do you think the future holds for people of color in creative industries?

I feel like we have set the standards to create our own platforms and not feel we have to work 1000x times as hard for other industries to recognize the work we have been doing [and times they have stolen] from us. I feel it's getting better and better for people of color. I love it here.

What is your dream job?

I want to own my own photography studio. I want to be able to create and design props for the set. I want to create and open an affordable studio space for new and upcoming creatives to be able to showcase their new work. I want to be invited to the high fashion shows in Paris, New York or L.A. photographing the newest ‘IT girl strutting down the runway. I want to have a small dream team that produces the most dopest shit that anyone has ever seen.

What skill(s) would you develop if you had more time? 

Sewing. I would love to make my own clothes for personal photoshoots and just for myself lol. Video editing, I have the vision but not all the skills, YET! I deeply miss developing my own film.

What is the last thing you learned? 

Creative burnout is definitely real. Have outside hobbies on the side besides your main area of focus. It’s okay to take creative breaks.

What are you working on right now?

I'm focusing on photographing some personal projects that I can't stop daydreaming about lol. I gotta get it out! I am working on owning my own photography studio to continue to hone my craft and attracting brands (artists, designers) to hire me as your photographer :)

If you could talk to your favorite creative for an hour, who would it be? Why?

Honestly, itt would have to be more than one. If I could have 4 creatives, it’d be @_visualnarrator, @cameramanjake, @Vintageasoul, @CAMSVISUALART (Twitter)

I would shove them all in a room [nicely of course lol]. I would ask them where their creativity comes from and how they maintain it. I would also ask about how to get over impostor syndrome, and how to attract brand deals and artists to hire me as a photographer.

What advice would you give to creatives of color looking to pursue their passion full-time?

If you can, save for a rainy day. Stay grounded. Don't give up, your anxiety is lying to you. Take breaks often to avoid creative burnout. Share your work. KEEP GOING.

How do you keep your creative drip going? 

I really dive into my inner child, I take breaks when needed to avoid creative burnout. I deep dive into music and i allow the creativity flow

Contact: cleocphotography@gmail.com

Check out Cleo’s www.cleocartwrightphotography.com for more of her work!