Every month, we rely on local photographers to volunteer their talents to capture the vibe of CreativeMornings/Austin. In May, we were in for a treat with Callie Richmond, who took the beautiful shots you see here. Callie answered a few questions about working in Austin, traveling out of Austin, and the joy of returning.

1. On Callierichmond.com, there are beautiful shots across several genres, including journalistic, live music, and beautifully lit portraits. You even have a site specifically for your wedding photography.  If money were no object, what kind of photography would you be shooting all the time? 

Hey thanks! You know, I just love shooting! I’m truly happy in all settings as long as I have a camera in hand and am creating content with lasting value. I love getting dropped into, and adapting to, extremely different worlds, witnessing people and events from all parts of all spectrums of life. My camera has been a golden ticket to many eye-opening scenes and I am grateful. Plus, because I currently shoot such a wide array of subjects, I feel like I’m beefing up toward the often referenced (and sometimes disputed), 10,000-hour rule of becoming a master of one’s craft. So that’s neat, too.

2. Why is Austin such a great place to be a creative person?

I’m the biggest fan-girl of Austin. I travel quite a bit and I look forward to the big hug Austin gives me as my airport taxi drives over the flyover from 71 to I35 to showcase the downtown skyline. I am so lucky to come home to a city that offers an extra long season of basting on the grass of Barton Springs, Texan friendliness, and a huge population of creatives to brainstorm, work, and party with. Austin, for the time being, is still a small laid-back city where chatting up people often results in a close degree of separation, and therefore a greater likelihood of working together or referring one another for future gigs. Ten years of talking to people at coffee shops, dive/juice bars and music festivals have been incredibly beneficial. We value connection to each other and our places. Plus, as everyone knows, it’s always taco time.

3. What are your impressions of CreativeMornings?

First, I’m impressed with all these spunky morning people — it’s inspiring to start the day at 730. Second, as a freelancer who works from home, I look forward to meet-ups where I can actually talk to other people instead of the one-sided conversations my podcast voices provide. Third, there are so many talented folks in Austin and I want to learn about as many of them and their paths as possible. 

4. Are there any projects you want to tell us about?

Hmmm, stay tuned. I’ve got several on back burners, but like our Freedom speaker Katie Ford discussed, I’ve got to make time for rewarding personal projects.