Today we’d like to introduce you to Calista Morrison.
Hi Calista, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been that artistic child. Dance, piano lessons, musical theater, voice lessons, and visual arts were some things that I gravitated toward growing up. I remember I begged my father for a Canon digital camera for Christmas in 2018. I knew absolutely nothing about cameras, but I wanted to learn for some reason. A few weeks into 2019, a couple of my friends at the time won a free photoshoot with a prominent photographer in the area. I remember stepping on set and seeing the lighting, his camera gear, and the cyc wall, knowing at that moment that this was something I wanted to pursue. I started doing senior photoshoots for close friends, family portraits for fellow teachers, and freelancing for some small businesses in town. Opportunities were flying my way until covid hit. I felt like I hit a wall with my work being isolated from people. At the time, I was taking an introductory photography class remotely that allowed me to explore the film and fine art side of photography; a time I could not be more grateful for in the grand scheme of my work today. I worked hard during my senior year, building my portfolio to pursue art school. However, my pre-pandemic plans of pursuing music were a dream I was unwilling to give up. I dove headfirst into songwriting and piano during the heightened part of the pandemic. I chose Belmont University to pursue a B.M. in Commercial Music, but I still hold my photography close to my heart and that allows me to be creative outside of the music world.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenging road for me. I come from a small town in Northwestern Ohio that has opened cracks for me creatively but has no room left for me to grow as an artist and as an individual trying to figure out my purpose. Not many people leave my town; they’re comfortable with their small-town lives, and that’s completely okay. I seek discomfort! I felt suffocated by the bubble of my city limits and the little opportunities it offered me. I made the right decision to move to Nashville, but I miss my support system and family to encourage me. Another struggle for me is knowing if I’m pursuing the right career or if I’m good enough for the career I’m in. There was a lot of anxiety and nervousness around choosing music or art studies for four years of my life, let alone if my creative and technical skills were good enough compared to everyone else I would be surrounded by. In my brief time at Belmont, I’ve grown so much as a person. I’ve realized that my major doesn’t define me as to what I’m allowed and not allowed to do. I can have many passions, and if I’m growing to be better in each creative endeavor, it doesn’t matter how it ‘matches up’ with what others are doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a freelance photographer! After over five years of being behind the camera, focusing mainly on portraiture, I’ve jumped around to different ships like street photography, editorials, album shoots, and conceptual or story-based works. Anywhere I travel, my bag of cameras is hand in hand. Since the pandemic’s start, I’ve become fond of shooting on film, precisely 35 mm. I carry my point-and-shoot everywhere I go to document the small things that go unnoticed, but I also have a Nikon SLR that I use for behind-the-scenes of a digital shoot. If you asked any of my friends or peers what I’m known for, I’m the film camera girl! I’ve also begun incorporating my film into multimedia collages that take recycled paper materials and create a 2-dimensional world. I’m most proud of my editing/color grading improvements. I used to rely heavily on Adobe Lightroom presets. Now, I understand better how to manipulate the settings best to complement the photo’s tone or overall piece. What sets me apart from others is that I can envision a photo’s appearance before I even get behind the camera to take it. I know what angle my camera needs to be at, how I want the model to pose, and what kind of editing I will do in post.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the community of people I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with. Everyone has some creative aspect to them (even if our career paths don’t align); it’s inspiring to be surrounded by such a talented crowd. Being a musician and a visual artist, Nashvillians better understand me pursuing multiple things I’m passionate about than where I’m from. I’m authentically myself here! What I like least about Nashville is the need for more historic buildings and architecture preservation. With the rapid population increase and growing downtown metro area, I think the city can afford and find ways to promote symbols of Nashville architecture beyond the honkey tonks of Broadway.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calistamorrison.wixsite.com/photography
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/calistamphoto?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Jake Weber (headshot)
