Today we’d like to introduce you to Calli Smart.
Hi Calli, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! Growing up, I had always been a bit different from other kids. For starters I’m an only child with no family close in age – So I grew up having more adult influence and mannerisms that confused other children my age when I was around them. In combination, we [My family and I] later found out around the age of thirteen that I was neurodivergent. Women and girls often get diagnosed later in life because of masking, [the awareness that one’s mannerisms are different than the others around them, causing changes in behavior to “match” what they see and hide who they truly are] which was such a large part of my childhood. Therefore, I grew up not always having a personality and interests of my own – I tried to match the others around me so I’d stand out less. For many years, I didn’t really know who I was, and didn’t see much for my future or life in general – I was more worried about surviving the difficulties of living as a neurodivergent female.
One thing that has always stuck with me, through my childhood up until today, is my interest with social media and the creative world. Originally, my fascination with influencers and creatives began because it made me feel less alone when I was struggling to connect with peers. I watched family vloggers to try and fill in the void I was missing with siblings, and watched creators near my age make videos with friends because I was curious and wanted to know about the relationships I struggled to have. As I aged, I got more into watching TV shows and movies – and the worlds that were created in such detail became an escape for me. This is when I knew that if I ever had the chance, I’d want to be a creator when I was older. I wanted to be able to give back to what helped me growing up, and also be able to immerse myself in the things that brought me so much joy and a sense of belonging. That’s how I ended up at SCAD, where I’ve finally found a place that I feel like I belong, and I’m considering double majoring in Photography and Film and Television, striding towards making my dreams come true.
With all of that being said, there’s a lot that brought me to where and who I am at this current moment. As I’ve gotten older, I’m finding it easier to manage my social and mental struggles, and I am continuing to work at improving my understanding of my own values and interests. Today, I’m grateful for my unique experiences – they’ve given me different perspectives on life and I’ve come to like myself for who I am and my interests instead of attempting to fit in with the others around me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m still figuring out who I am as a creative, though as of current, my interest and specialty is in Photography. I have a fascination in editorial and creative photography, along with a strong interest in learning about the people I work with – their individual personalities, interests, and creative endeavors are something that I think is really beautiful, and I strive to capture and include that in my work. I also have a special love for videography, as I was the President of my high school’s Audio Video Club for two years – Film & Television is my minor as of recently, but I’m strongly considering having it be my second major – for some reason it just calls to me.
I believe my interest in the model’s actual personalities and interests sets me apart. A lot of shoots today are very styled and made to seem perfect. Those shoots are fun and I will include them in my work sometimes, but perfect and styled isn’t reality – and I’m working as we speak to put out work that shows the authentic sides of all different people. Recently, I did my first semi-nude shoot because I think real, un-edited, human bodies are beautiful, especially with all of the surgery and photoshop changes to models nowadays. This was a test run for another shoot that I’m planning but have not had the chance to go through with yet. I’ve been told by my professor that this is the kind of shoot most students are nervous about and shy away from doing, so I also think my confidence and willingness to do something that might cause waves amongst others is what makes me unique.
How do you think about happiness?
In all honesty, most days I don’t have an answer to this question. Sometimes I’d say my dog, Onyx, whom I love very much, but obviously he doesn’t fulfill every aspect of my life. Recently though, I’ve come to the conclusion that the answer might be more simple than I ever thought – the answer being creativity. As cliche and common as this sounds, especially as a student at art school, it truly never occurred to me until just a couple weeks ago. The more I create, the less my mind wanders into the spirals and doubts I have from my mental health issues. Creativity is a distraction, one that can be made into a career, and it distracts me from myself in the moments I need it most – meaning it is the closest thing to something that makes me truly happy. It brings me moments of peace when nothing else can.
Contact Info:
- Website: disturbedmundane.com
- Instagram: disturbedmundane
