Carolyn Lorraine McDaniel.
Edited by Bee Tomlinson
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To live life to the fullest - physically, mentally and emotionally, and chasing after every single day - that is very ideal to me.
What is your motto?
“It takes courage to enjoy.” It’s a song lyric from my favorite artist, Bjork. I try to remember and live by this motto everyday, especially as I get older and I’m faced with situations outside my comfort zone.
What is your current state of mind?
I’m in a ball of emotions but mostly just tired. I recently moved into my first apartment and my life has been pretty busy - “adulting” is in full force mode. Everyday, it’s work work work.
How would you like to die?
I’ve never thought of any other way of leaving this world other than the most simplest way, and that’s in my sleep.
What is it that you love most about what you do?
Working with other creatives and being able to help bring their vision to life, even if that wasn’t the plan initially.
If you could have a conversation with anybody (alive or dead), who would it be?
Maya Angelou - she was and still is the most amazing human to me.
When did you realize that you wanted to be a creative?
During my senior year of high school, an advisor helped me map out potential careers that would be best suited for me and during that process, photography became a career of interest. I always had a camera growing up and was always that person taking photos at family gatherings. Besides taking photos, I had always had an urge to create. I was never interested in working a 9-5 desk job. During the summer after I graduated high school, I tried to apply to different colleges to pursue photography but that ultimately didn’t work out. But several years later, I met my significant other, who is a freelance photographer and it helped a lot to re-spark my interest in being a creative. Shortly after, I started a new Instagram feed and began posting new creative work, which eventually helped to build a presence.
What motivates you?
Gosh, so many things motivate me. The number one thing that motivates me is success.
What do you love about being a woman?
Being able to express myself openly and honestly. To share personal things with other woman and know they’re able to relate.
What is your experience of being a woman, while also being a creative?
It’s been great. I’ve been very inspired especially by my fellow Chicago women creatives and am grateful for the constant support and encouragement that we all give to each other.
“Working with other creatives and being able to help bring their vision to life, even if that wasn’t the plan initially.”
