Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Schiraldi
Carol, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thanks for having me. I’m happy to share my story today.
My journey as an artist and photographer has been anything but linear, shaped by both my technical background and my creative passions. I trained as a software engineer in college and worked in the technology space for a significant part of my career. During that time, I discovered photography as a creative outlet—a way to balance the structured logic of my professional life with the boundless creativity of artistic expression.
Initially, photography was a hobby, something I did to explore the small towns near my new home base of Austin. Moving to Austin in 1992, I started exploring the nearby small Texas towns. I was drawn to their charm and captivated by the stories in the old buildings and small town way of life.
As I spent more time behind the camera, I realized that this wasn’t just a pastime—it was a calling. I began to immerse myself in the craft, experimenting with different techniques and finding inspiration in everyday beauty. Venturing out of Texas, I started traveling to explore more of the world as well as continuing to visit the small Texas towns.
As I transitioned from the technology space into photography, my technical background played a unique role in shaping my artistic vision. The problem-solving mindset I developed as a software engineer helped me approach challenges creatively and think outside the box. Meanwhile, I continued to expand my artistic practice to include painting, drawing, and mixed-media work, which enriched my storytelling and added depth to my creative journey.
Today, my work reflects this fusion of technical precision and artistic exploration. It’s been a rewarding journey, one that has taught me the value of persistence, curiosity, and embracing the unexpected. I’m grateful for where I started, as it has made the path to where I am today all the more meaningful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Balancing the demands of a full-time career in technology with the growing pull of photography was one of the biggest challenges I faced. Working in a fast-paced and detail-oriented field like software engineering requires focus and long hours, often leaving little time for my creative pursuits.
Especially in the beginning, photography was something I could only devote weekends or evenings to, squeezing in photo shoots and creative experimentation around my professional responsibilities. Living a duel life like this was exhausting at times, requiring me to constantly hone my time management skills and make sacrifices such as giving up social activities or personal downtime to develop myself as an artist.
Emotionally, this balance created tension as well. Excelling in a technical role brings professional satisfaction and stability, while at the same time often sidelined my creative drive leading to a sense of incompleteness.
I frequently faced the challenge of being perceived through two different lenses: as a “tech person” and as an artist. When I fist started in photography, I was afraid to reveal my tech side, for fear that I would be written off as, “another computer programmer who bought an expensive camera and now thinks they are an artist.” Gaining acceptance and recognition in both areas was a real struggle at times, with people often viewing me as too technical to be creative or vice versa.
Until very recently, I pretty much hid my tech background from the art side, but I have since grown to embrace my unique background and skills. The problem-solving skills honed from working with technology helped me tackle artistic challenges creatively, while my artistic side enriched my technical thinking with a broader perspective. Finding harmony between these two aspects of my identity required some patience and acceptance of who I really am.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work, while often very creative and experimental, at its core revolves around capturing the beauty and emotion in everyday moments, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. As a photographer, I specialize in fine art and abstract photography, often focusing on color, mood, and honoring the spirit of the places I visit. Using photography as my guiding star and primary medium, I create compositions that are both thought-provoking and visually compelling.
I’m particularly known for my ability to see the world differently—to find beauty in overlooked places and details. Whether it’s the texture of a weathered wall, the way light dances on a surface, or the subtle colors of a fleeting moment, I strive to evoke a sense of wonder and discovery in my work.
What I’m most proud of is the evolution of my artistic journey. Starting as a self-taught photographer while working as a software engineer, I’ve been able to transition into a creative space where I feel at home, while staying true to my curiosity and passion for learning. Seeing my work resonate with others, whether through exhibitions, collaborations, or personal connections, is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is the fusion of my technical and artistic backgrounds. My experience in software engineering has given me a problem-solving mindset and an eye for precision, which complements the intuition and fluidity of my artistic process. This combination allows me to approach projects with a unique perspective, blending structure and spontaneity to create work that feels both deliberate and organic.
Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others to see the world differently and to find beauty in unexpected places. Art, for me, is about connection—between the artist and the viewer, between the subject and its deeper meaning, and between the mundane and the sublime.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a supportive network of people who’ve played pivotal roles in my journey as an artist and photographer. At first, my parents did not understand my desire to shift to the creative side, but they grew to embrace it being an integral part of who I am.
Right after moving to Austin, I met several photographers and started going out with them, exploring small towns and different locations. At first, I did not have a great camera, only a point and shoot, but I was able to both visit a local camera store (Precision Camera in Austin) and take continuing education classes at the University of Texas. At UT, I met a mentor and studied with her for a long time, getting up to speed on my technical understanding of what the camera can do and what it really means to embrace all things photography.
This level of encouragement and belief in my creative potential gave me the confidence to explore photography and art more seriously.
In my professional journey, I’ve been inspired by mentors who taught me to balance my technical background with artistic expression. These were often informal mentors—fellow artists, photographers, and even colleagues from my time in the technology field—who shared advice, techniques, or simply new ways of thinking. Their insights helped me navigate challenges and pushed me to experiment and grow. As I took workshops and studied under various notable photographers, their willingness to share their insights and guidance helped me forge my own voice as an artist.
As I started to show my work in galleries more, several curators and gallerists helped cheer me on as mentors and offered their guidance and insights into my work. Not coming from an art background, it really helped learning about the history of photography and art from people like this. They would point out other artists and photographers I could use as inspiration and I always find this helpful, especially when backed by such a strong core artistic knowledge.
The Austin photography and art community has also played a significant role in my artistic development. Being in such a creative place as Austin, the environment here just oozes support for the arts. Living in such a creative, dynamic city, allows me to stretch creatively and take risks as an artist. Getting feedback on how my work resonates with the community is one of the most fulfilling aspects of what I do, and their support has been a constant reminder of why I pursued this path in the first place.
Finally, the broader creative community has been a huge source of inspiration and motivation. Whether it’s through exhibitions, workshops, or online platforms, the exchange of ideas and encouragement from fellow creatives has fueled my passion and helped me refine my craft.
Each of these individuals, in their own way, has contributed to my success by offering guidance, opportunities, and unwavering support. I’m deeply grateful for their role in my journey and the ways they’ve helped shape both me and my work.
Pricing:
- Merchandise items such as t-shirts, phone cases, calendars – under $100
- Open edition prints – starting at $45
- Limited edition prints – $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolslittleworld.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolschiraldi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolsLittleWorld
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjschiraldi/
- Twitter: https://x.com/CSchiraldi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carolslittleworld
- Other: Blog: https://blog.carolslittleworld.com/
Image Credits
All images by Carol Schiraldi of Carol’s Little World.
