Joe Hiltabidel Photography, Travelers Rest, SC
I was a late bloomer in the world of photography, having not owned a proper camera until 2014. For eight years, I pushed my way through night school at Furman University, falling in love with only one class and in my seventh year: Intro to Digital Photography with Bryan Hiott. I immediately fell in love with the lens but was my own worst critic.
While attending an arts and crafts festival, I ran into a college professor of mine who was exhibiting her work as a jewelry maker. I was impressed by the quality of her work and inspired by her courage to display her art so publicly. Her experience and knowledge of exhibiting in public was immediately obvious. I was equally inspired to see less impressive artwork on display at the same event, the artist boldly putting himself out there and seeing him and his work actually gave me the courage to invest in my work and myself.
Since my first festival as an artist in October, 2016 over 600 pieces of my work have gone into people’s homes, places of work or worship and been chosen as gifts for others. I exhibited at nearly 30 art festivals in my first year as an art vendor throughout the southeast.
I hope people see my artwork and see a life worth living and a world worthy of appreciation. From the Florida coast to the Carolina junkyard or the little girl’s shoes, I am sharing the very best parts of my travels. I want people to feel compelled to stare and get closer to the photographs, to study them carefully, to ask questions and to leave the couch and adventure more!