Exploring the Inspirational Allure of Carley Rudd’s Global Destinations
Exploring the Inspirational Allure of Carley Rudd’s Global Destinations
Looking Behind the Lens of Travel Photographer Carley Rudd
Name:
Carley Rudd
Photography:
Carley Rudd
Words:
Marissa Stempien
Some cling to the age-old adage—“Life is a journey, not a destination.” But perhaps those people have yet to see the international destinations that photographer Carley Rudd captures in her imagery. The Los Angeles-based freelance and self-taught photographer has been featured in Condé Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure, Afar, and Suitcase Magazine, just to name a few, and is known for her clean aesthetic and evocative photography. For her, the joy and excitement is in the destination, whether it be the jungles of Chiang Mai or the sun-drenched plains of Moab.
Carley’s work captures a sense of place, allowing viewers to experience a new country through culture, architecture, people, and cuisine by way of her lens. It’s in the almost palpable stillness of her images that one can feel a location, imagine it, almost touch, smell, or taste what is just beyond the screen. To escape for just a moment into a new place, a new world, and perhaps, even inspire one to visit some of these unseen cities. And it’s in this influence to experience something more, to witness something unexpected, or pursue renewed passions that exemplifies the brilliance of her work.
Visual Pleasure Magazine: Was travel photography something that you always knew you wanted to do? What inspired you to make this your career?
Carley Rudd: I have always had a passion for photography and capturing beauty in the world. I feel most alive, and creative when I’m experiencing new places and cultures. Although my initial career path was in public relations and marketing, I knew it wasn’t fulfilling for me. After six years of this, I followed my heart and built up the courage to leave that world behind to pursue my own freelance photography career. Now, it’s been four years since and I’ve never looked back.
You’ve worked with so many major publications, brands, and agencies. Since travel photography is a dream job for so many, did you find that you struggled to get your foot in the door? Now that you’re an established travel photographer do you have brands coming to you for constant work or do you find it’s still a bit of an uphill climb?
As with anything in life, I believe you get out what you put in. I have worked really, really hard to get where I am today. And I still do, because I love what I do. Yes, I faced challenges starting out to find paid work and secure clients. But everyone does. Success didn’t come overnight and I had to put in the work. Today, I have built up my business and receive a lot more referrals and brands reaching out to work together, but I still have dream clients and shoots on my bucket list.
I owe my success to setting clear goals and intentions and working every day to manifest them. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking, “There’s so much competition,” or, “I’ll never be good enough to make a career out of photography.” The list goes on. I believe there is an infinite abundance that surrounds us and we can all create the life we want to live. We just have to tap into it.
What do you find to be the most rewarding thing about your work—besides globetrotting?
I find it extremely rewarding when I hear from others who were inspired by me to pursue their passion. To know that I’ve encouraged others to live a more fulfilling life is incredible! I also love to hear how my work has inspired others to travel outside of their comfort zones, visit new destinations, and experience new things. For me personally, I am so humbled by the beauty in our world. To have the opportunity to capture this beauty and share it with others is beyond rewarding.
What inspires your photography? What is it you’re trying to convey to your audience through your work?
Photography is an exploration for me, a way to see the world and capture the beauty in life’s fleeting moments. I’m inspired by clean, minimal compositions and soft, natural hues. There is a sense of quietude and stillness that my work embodies, letting your mind drift elsewhere, into a state of blissful escapism.
What have been your favorite cities to visit and photograph? What are some of your favorite subjects and projects to work on?
I love to photograph off-the-beaten-path destinations, boutique hotels, local artisans, and bespoke experiences that give soul to a place. I am also drawn to design-oriented, conscious brands that embrace a slower pace of life.
My top three favorite places to photograph so far have been Sri Lanka, Portugal, and Morocco. I will forever be drawn to their rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.
So many people believe when traveling to a new place, one should try to put down the camera a bit and experience a new destination. How do you find this balance when you literally travel and shoot for a career?
Yes! I think this is super important. My advice would be to not get caught up in having to document every single moment or visit places just to take a picture of yourself in front of an iconic view or landmark. Trust me, I get the urge of wanting to document everything, but if you put the phone and camera down for a minute, you’ll get to see and experience so much more. One thing I do to help balance this out is to not actually share or post about places in real-time. This takes the pressure off and allows me to live more in the moment.
What would be a dream project? What kind of collaboration or exhibit to you hope to shoot one day that you have yet to achieve? Or place you have yet to photograph?
I have an endless list of places I’d love to visit and photograph. Some of the countries at the top of my list include Egypt, Tanzania, Turkey, Peru, and Japan.
I am currently developing a collection of work for a photography book as well as looking into partnering with a gallery to showcase an exhibit of my fine art photography.
As for a dream project, I would love to collaborate with a boutique hotel to shoot a limited edition series of fine art photographs showcasing the area for them to display at their property.
