Meet Carlos Stephenson of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Stephenson.

Hi Carlos, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and creativity has always been a part of who I am. Music initially led me to Alabama A&M University on a full scholarship, where I played trombone in the marching band. While in college, I explored graphic design and eventually developed a real love for photography.

I remember seeing photography displayed for sale during one of my classes and having this realization: People actually get paid to do this? At the time, I didn’t personally know any photographers who looked like me or anyone who had shown me that photography could be a real career. I just knew I loved it. My grandfather believed in that passion enough to buy me my first camera, and that gave me the opportunity to really start learning, creating, and taking my craft seriously.

After college, I founded Still Going Designs. The name came from a phrase a friend and I would always say: “Still Going.” Over time, it became bigger than just a saying. To me, it represents the idea that art never stops. Creativity is always moving and evolving, and there really are no limits to where it can take you.

I started from the ground up, doing $50 shoots and building relationships throughout Atlanta. One of the relationships that became an important part of my journey was working with the late rapper, Rich Homie Quan, also a fellow Atlanta native.

Working and traveling with him early in my career exposed me to a world beyond Atlanta and showed me just how far my camera could take me. As I began traveling internationally, borders started to feel invisible. Photography has taken me from Mexico and Dubai to Bali, China, Africa, and beyond, and every experience has expanded the way I see both the world and my art.

Today, I’m partnered with Creamery Studios in Atlanta, Ga and continue working as a photographer nationally and internationally. Looking back, it’s crazy to think that something I initially didn’t even know could be a career has allowed me to build a business, travel the world, connect with incredible people, and tell stories through my lens.

And in many ways, I’m doing exactly what the name says—still going.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I think anytime you’re the first to do something in your circle, there are going to be obstacles because there isn’t always a blueprint to follow. As a Black man building a career in a creative industry, no one handed me a roadmap and said, “This is how you do it.” A lot of it has been trial and error: learning the business, learning myself, making mistakes, and continuing to grow through them.

One thing that’s helped me along the way is staying humble enough to learn from people. I listen to constructive criticism, I pay attention, and I’m constantly working on my craft. I may not work a traditional 9-to-5, but I’m invested in what I’m building 24/7. There’s always something to learn and always another level to reach.

I’ve also learned that how you treat people matters just as much as your talent. I try to treat everyone I meet with the same respect I would want for myself, regardless of who they are or what position they hold. I truly believe what you put out comes back to you. The obstacles haven’t disappeared, but they’ve made me stronger, more disciplined, and more appreciative of everything I’ve been able to build.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a photographer, but I’m really an artist and a creative. I don’t like putting myself into one box because my creativity extends beyond the camera. Whether I’m photographing a portrait, an artist, a brand, an event, or building an entire set and creative concept from the ground up, I’m always thinking about the complete experience and how I can bring the vision to life.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I’ve learned that one of the most important parts of being a photographer has nothing to do with the camera—it’s making people feel comfortable enough to trust you.

Being photographed can be an incredibly vulnerable experience. Before the editing and retouching, I’m seeing you exactly as you are through my lens. You’re trusting me with your image, your insecurities, your imperfections, and sometimes a side of yourself that you may not normally allow other people to see. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. My job is to create an environment where people can relax, be themselves, and ultimately allow me to bring out the best version of who they already are.

That’s probably what sets me apart the most. I don’t just show up and take pictures. I create an atmosphere. Sometimes that means designing and building a set, developing the concept, finding the right lighting, or paying attention to the smallest detail that someone else might overlook. I can definitely be a perfectionist, but it comes from wanting to give people my absolute best.

Looking through a lens is powerful because I’m able to capture life, beauty, emotion, and creation in a single moment. But that position also requires humility. The person in front of my camera has to trust me, and I have to be willing to give something of myself creatively in return.

At the end of the day, I want people to walk away from working with me not only loving their photographs, but feeling like they were seen, respected, and brought into the creative process. That’s the part of my work I’m most proud of.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s anything I’d want people to take away from my story, it’s to keep going. When I picked up my first camera, I had no idea where it would take me or the life I would build through creativity. I didn’t have a blueprint when I started, so if my journey can become part of the blueprint for someone coming behind me, that means something.

I’m still learning, still creating, and still evolving. That’s what Still Going means to me. There’s always more to create, more to give, and more life to experience. Whatever you do, keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stillgoingdesigns.com
• Instagram: @stillgoingdesigns
• Facebook: @stillgoingdesigns