Cara Stosich is a Salt Lake City native, who found herself living in San Francisco after graduating from high school in 2006.
As an artist, attending the Academy of Art University seemed like a logical choice for Stosich. While she thought the university would offer an outlet for creative exploration, she quickly realized she was wrong.
“The Academy of Art University was expensive; I was paying around $9,000 a semester. I felt that the cost of tuition forced me to focus on one specific area. I didn’t have any room for exploration, and the pressure stifled my creativity,” said Stosich. “I moved back to Salt Lake City in 2006 and continued my education at the community college.”
Salt Lake Community College provided a unique learning experience for Stosich. The low tuition cost allowed her to explore different areas of interest, without having the pressure of declaring a major. While completing her generals, she immersed herself in visual art and event-planning classes.
“Salt Lake Community College allowed me to grow and expand my artistic abilities while discovering new areas of interest”
Stosich transferred to the University of Utah (U of U) after graduating from SLCC in 2008 with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies. While attending the U of U, she bought a “starter camera,” the Canon EOS Rebel T2i, for a European cruise.
“I’ve always liked taking photos, but my trip to Europe exposed me to different cultures and beautiful architecture. That trip made me realize photography was my true passion,” said Stosich.
Although Stosich majored in behavioral health and science, she pursued a career in photography. Her life has changed dramatically over the years. She’s married, has a 2-year-old son, and in January of 2012, she started her own photography business.
“One of the hardest things about starting my own business was figuring out how to manage my time. I have a 2-year-old son to take care of, a husband who I want to see and a house to manage,” said Stosich. “On top of all of that, I have to edit photos, plan sessions and keep up with social media outlets. I’ve figured out how to manage everything, and it’s exciting to see everything come together.”
When Stosich started her business, her focus was broad. Her work consisted of family portraits, engagements, weddings, events, and concerts. After her first year, she realized she needed to specialize in a specific area and decided to shift her focus to individual portraits and events.
“I want to create a portrait session for an individual that’s unique, and I plan on offering a customized style for each session. When people walk away from their experience, I want them to feel beautiful,” said Stosich.
Although photography offers an outlet for Stosich’s creativity, she says it’s not the only form of art she uses to express herself: she finds inspiration in dance.
“Every Tuesday night, I go to the Salt Lake Movement Collective at Sugar Space in Sugarhouse. I feel that the atmosphere allows me to let myself free—free of judgment and free to be creative in my movement. The energy I find translates back into my life and my work,” said Stosich.
