In an effort to promote local artists and talent, I invited Atlanta-based photo designer Joshua Crawley on a walk. We let the weather carry the conversation, somewhere between catching up and documenting a life that’s starting to move quickly.
On his recent work
His latest project was with Myaap, the Milwaukee-based artist behind “Fairy,” a track that’s been circulating across TikTok (“she was a fairy”).
“You caught me at such a great time—I was literally about to post about it today,” he said.
“Before this shoot, I was mixing paint at Home Depot and painting houses. Before that, you saw me at Planet Fitness. I was always creating though. I interned at Cam Kirk and Dunwoody Photo, and I always knew I wanted to make it big. And when I did, I wanted to pay my friends, and I did.”
That part stayed with me.
Not only making it big, but also bringing the people that matter with you.
“My friends helped me purchase the fancy giclee pearl paper to display my Bby Kell Kinoki print at my last exhibition (seen below). We pour into each other. When I receive projects, I make sure to include my people.”
From his demeanor, it was abundantly clear that Joshua values his friendships and his community in their support of his artistry. He speaks with great love and pride for his crew.
“This project reaffirmed everything,” he continued. “I got paid. I worked with RocNation, and quit my job to pursue this full-time. I’m all in. Everything is now, I can’t wait until next year or tomorrow anymore. I’m living like I’m already a billionaire.”
On process: “photo designer”
Joshua doesn’t just call himself a photographer.
He uses the term photo designer.
“I saw my guy, Cian Moore, give a TED Talk on it,” he said. “It’s more than taking photos. It’s about controlling the whole process.”
His method is structured:
- sketch first
- build a moodboard (Tumblr before, now Pinterest)
- gather collaborators
- execute intentionally
Even the Myaap shoot started as a drawing.
“We had to figure out how to build the hills, how to get the green background; it’s all designed before it’s shot. It’s up to me to maintain the vision throughout execution.”
On discipline
What surprised me most wasn’t the work. It was the restraint and focus in his lifestyle.
“Once I got serious, I wanted a clear mind,” he said. “I stopped smoking, and I used to smoke basically daily. Cut alcohol. I sold my PlayStation when I was 18 and took the TV out of my room so I’d have nothing to do but edit.”
That level of removal felt extreme, but also precise.
“I take walks at my local park every day. I stay in nature. I don’t go out too much. That doesn’t mean I don’t like fun though, I still vibe out, but I live like I already have everything I need.”
And notably:
“My biggest opportunities didn’t come from Instagram. People called me. I made an impression from reality. I met my favorite photographers and worked with the community.”
Closing
By the time the conversation ended, it didn’t feel like an interview anymore.
It felt like catching someone real in mid-transition; a down-to-earth person on the cusp of something greater.
There’s something specific about Atlanta creatives right now. In the midst of chaos, ambition and opportunity continue to grow. A kind of shared motion. Joshua moves with that, but he’s also shaping it.
His next exhibition will be on May 13th in New York with Parson’s School of Design, where he will work with fashion designers with his talents.
The biggest takeaway from our interview: we should go all in on ourselves and believing in each other.
And perhaps we can take more walks along the way.
Heartlanta Journal 
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