Interview with photographer Catalina Garzón

The next photographer from our shoot at Entrepreneur Education is Catalina Garzón.

Currently a photography student with an industrial design background, she is also passionate about traveling, getting to know different cultures and ways of living, and I can’t wait to find Asia out.

She loves all subjects related to emotional design and believes they could be applied to any discipline, because it has to do with cognition and perception.

Her hometown is Bogota, the capital of Colombia, but has been based in Australia for over 2 years and has had the opportunity of shooting yoga artists, local singers and actors. Lately she has been exploring the Gold Coast through her lens by shooting its breathtaking spots.

Being a fellow creative I asked her the following questions:

1. Do you think that creativity involves putting your heart and soul into your work? Or is it more like letting your mind flow freely to witness the surprising results of your actions?

I think creativity involves both. It is a process where everything flows freely and it is supposed to feel good, you're supposed to enjoy it because it is coming from your inner side, therefore your body, soul and mind are 100% into it.

2. What influenced or still influences your creativity?

My creativity is always influenced by my mood and my taste. It is also influenced by my situation at that moment, I mean by factors such context, economics, closest friends.

3. Do you strive to be unique in your creative endeavours? Please explain.

In my opinion, it depends. Regarding an unknown subject, it is kind of hard to be creative because I commonly have to search for more information. At the same time, once I manage that subject, I am surprisingly more creative because it was an unexplored field, something that I am getting into for the first time. On the other hand, if I know a subject/field where I am gonna be creative, it is always easier.

4. What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?

I try to search for information such as trends, what peers are doing, events, just anything that can keep me updated and give me more ideas.

5. What is creativity to you? Do you consider yourself to be creative? Why or why not?

It is the process where you work with your original ideas, with your imagination.

I think I am a creative person, not only because of my background as an industrial designer where I proved to myself that I solved challenges with unimaginable projects, but because in everyday situations where I've been resourceful and I've come up with very crazy or unexpected ideas.

6. If you could interview a creative person (past or present), who would that person be? Please explain your choice.

I'd love to interview Donald Norman. It is an American psychologist and writer of publications mainly based in cognitive science and usability. One of his books is called Emotional design, which I find amazing and I think it should be the base for any design project throughout the world. I'd truly like to ask him about his research, theories, how he got to find out all that he knows so far.

7. If your creative work were edible, what would it taste like?

Lol, It'd taste like a lollipop :)

Inspiration & knowledge can be found amongst the people who live in our communities, bringing their dreams to life, so hopefully this interview with a local creative has inspired you, the reader.

To follow Catalina’s work, you visit her Instagram page.

---

Final thoughts:

Catalina mentioned that creativity to her is the process where you work with your original ideas and your imagination to solve challenges & obstacles.

But we need to remember that creativity isn’t just part of the arts, it is something we need in our everyday life!

When you embrace creative thinking and ask yourself “What if…?” you'll look at all the ideas, from every angle, before you will arrive at the conclusion your most happy and comfortable with. Even if it gives you the courage to step outside your comfort zone in bringing your goal / dream to life.

So next time you face an obstacle or challenge, remember to ask yourself “What if…” to find a creative solution that will allow you to move forward with confidence.