Daily Inspiration: Meet Canyon Sorrells

Today we’d like to introduce you to Canyon Sorrells.

Hi Canyon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Creativity has been a part of my story since I could hold a pencil. I started from drawing pictures of buildings and trains to completing my graphic design pathway in high school, yet I was still unsure of what my career path would be. I discovered my passion for photography after taking Intro to Photography at Georgia State University. I originally enrolled in the class as an elective while pursuing Graphic Design, but that decision ended up changing the trajectory of my life going forward. Throughout the class, I learned about manual camera functions, composition, and completed various projects that helped me improve my skills as well as bring me out of my comfort zone.

My love for photography really began to take shape the following summer during my trip to New York City. Growing up in Atlanta, I developed a deep love for cities, urban environments, and the people within them. This is shown throughout my childhood drawings, and now my photography. Throughout this trip, not only did my skills improve, but I learned that I really enjoyed street photography. New York is a walkable city filled with street life at all hours of the day, and opened my eyes to the human element of cities I wasn’t used to seeing. I visited several galleries featuring many photographers, and was particularly inspired by Lynn Saville’s “Elevated”, whose work signaled to me that I could find success photographing what I love. This trip was arguably the most transformative part of my journey, and was a glimpse into the future I strive to achieve.

My final decision came during my Film & Darkroom class. Throughout the semester, I used 35mm and medium format film cameras, including a Hasselblad, and learned manual film development and printing. I was particularly drawn to the hands-on aspect of manual photo development and the sense of connection I felt with my work. At the same time, I was enrolled in Intro to Graphic Design, and I noticed that I would get frustrated when I encountered challenges in that class, whereas I felt motivated in Film & Darkroom. This realization ultimately led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Photography and fully commit myself to this passion.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say my journey has been smooth. I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful people who motivate me and encourage the pursue my dreams and passions. The only part of my journey I consider a struggle is finding an identity for my work, but as of 2026, I’m beginning to learn what it is.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to photograph urban environments. My portfolio features portraiture, urban landscapes, architecture, and street photography. I view my work as a representation of how I view cities, and the fascination I have with their diversity in people and locations. Alongside my personal work, I’ve taken on various commission work, including events and portraits

My proudest work would have to be my hand-bound photobook Downtown Atlanta: Reinvigorated, where I documented the extensive construction taking place between South Downtown and The Gulch. I conducted interviews with several Atlantans in the area to gauge their perspectives on these new developments and determine whether they perceive them as beneficial or detrimental to Atlanta and its culture. I took their portraits and recorded their responses, spreading them throughout the book. Several pages describe the history of the locations I photographed, as well as current and future plans. This project was eye-opening for me, as it’s my first major body of work with serious meaning. As a lifelong resident of Atlanta, I’m both fascinated by the city’s growth, and well aware of the reality that the city we knew is changing, and this project served as my personal expression of embracing Downtown’s change while amplifying the voices of its citizens. Going forward, I want to create bodies of work that highlight the numerous areas of Atlanta that are going through, and set to go through change, and documenting the brief period between old and new.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://helix-earthworm-2e32.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_can.snaps/