Vibrant Visions: An Exclusive Interview with Photographer and Mental Health Advocate Saige Carlson

Q: Hi Saige! It’s a pleasure to have you! Give us an introduction. Tell us about yourself!

A: Hi Kelsey! First of all, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit about myself and my love of art and photography. The more I get to talk about it, the more I realize how lucky I am to get to do this every day. You inspire me and I’m so grateful for our friendship!

My name is Saige, and I am from a small town just outside of Vancouver, Canada. I am an artist in a few different mediums, but most of my energy goes into photography. I am also a wellness and mental health advocate. I love life, I look at it as a gift and I never want to take a day for granted. One day I hope to merge these two passions into a beautiful lifelong career.

Q: How did your journey into photography and art begin, and what were the key moments or experiences that have shaped your unique style as an Artist?

A: As a kid, I always loved art. My best memories as a child revolved around drawing, painting, and taking pictures with disposable cameras. The first time I remember trying to take a “good” photo was when I was 9. I was on a bike ride with my grandparents and saw an opportunity to photograph a fountain in a lake, with a willow tree framing the scene. I still have the photo to this day, and it always reminds me how important art is to me. I’ve always loved the idea of being able to show someone what the world looks like through my eyes. As I got older, I chose to go to a Fine Arts high school. I took photography classes and fell in love with the entire process of shooting, developing, and printing film. Being consistently surrounded by artists for all those years definitely shaped who I am now.

Age 9, 2004.

Q: How would you describe your art style, and what influences or experiences have played a significant role in shaping it? Are there any specific artists that you look up to that give you inspiration?

A: Currently, I am experimenting a lot with vivid colors and super funky scenes. I really do see the world as a beautiful and vibrant place, and I like to exaggerate how I feel by using color. I overthink a lot of things in life, so one night I challenged myself to break free of the rules I used to follow in photo editing, and here we are today. Three artists that inspire my work consistently are Nathan Head, Summer Wagner, and Nevin Johnson, but there are so many more. I discover new artists daily who blow me away.

Q: What do you find most challenging and rewarding about the process of capturing a moment or telling a story through your art?

A: The most rewarding part is generally the way I feel when I am out shooting. It gets me out in nature, essentially meditating in my flow state, doing my favorite thing in the whole world. There’s no better feeling, really. The most challenging is probably typing up stories and thoughts to go along with my photos. My art makes me feel 100 things at once, and I never know exactly what to say, because I don’t want to influence how the viewer receives the art.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to make their mark in the industry? Are there any resources or practices that have been especially helpful in your own growth as an artist?

A: Stay authentic, curious, and playful. Don’t focus on what people will think. Are you creating because it’s what you love to do and you feel incredible when you’re doing it? Are you hungry to keep learning and experimenting because your curiosity is piqued? Would you do this if nobody ever saw your work? If yes, then you’re set and you don’t need my advice. I truly believe these are the people who come out on top. The practices that keep me inspired and maintain an open and artistic headspace are usually non-art related. Healthy lifestyle, good sleep, lots of water, exercise. It’s all about balance.

Q: Are there any upcoming projects, events, collaborations, or anything you'd like to share? Also, let us know where we can follow you on social media and find your portfolio online so we can keep up with your latest work!

A: I have a few things in the works! One that is actionable right now is my collaboration with 13 other incredible photographers called The Calendar - 2023, developed by Quentin Carlier. It’s one dynamically evolving NFT that acts as a calendar. Each month the token rotates between two images (day vs night) by two different photographers. Holders of The Calendar will have exclusive access to mint those two editions each month. My edition is up for grabs for the month of May, and another will be later in the year.

You can find information and more of my work at the following links:

Website: http://saigecarlson.com (print store coming soon!)

Twitter: @saigecarlson

Instagram: @saigecarlson

Q: Finally, is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you’d like to share with everyone?

A: Spread love, kindness, and hope. There are a lot of different ways we could look at the world today. Luckily, we get to choose how we view it. The more positivity and openness you share, the more will come back to you, creating a more beautiful world for everyone around you. Complain less. Focus on what you’re grateful for.

Remember that the universe wants you to succeed. Let it help you!

It’s always a pleasure to talk with you Saige! I appreciate our friendship and can’t wait to see the amazing things that I know the future holds for you and your art. (I also can’t wait for your print store to open because I’m going to go broke)!