Carly Sullens, CPP is a Certified Professional Photographer based in St. Louis. With a master’s degree in art therapy, a life-long practice in the fine arts, and a career as a professional photographer, Carly uncovered a unique opportunity in the emerging field of fine art photography.
Carly’s unapologetic love for the post-production artistry is rooted deeply within her intricate knowledge of artistic media, material texture, brushstroke composition and painting techniques. While her diverse set of creative skills and professional accolades earns the trust of her clients, it is her empathetic nature, witty and bubbly personality that wins their hearts.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
1996 – B.S – Art Therapy- Bowling Green State University, OH
1998 – M.A. – Art Therapy – Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, IL
"Trained in both painting and photography, my work creates an encounter between these two influences. My photographs are constantly being deconstructed, revisited, and transformed into a new reality. The idea behind, my work, is to push the artistic potential to compose a narrative rich with symbolism and storytelling. I often don’t know the final concept or idea of my photographs until I start editing. I express what I feel and try to convey feelings with artistic technique and beauty."
Multi-Award Winner and Published Photographer
AWARDS
2023
Feb - Merit - PPA, Merit Image Review (Portrait)
Feb - Merit - PPA, Merit Image Review (Artist)
Feb - Merit - PPA, Merit Image Review (Portrait)
Feb - Merit - PPA, Merit Image Review (Reportage)
March - Merit - PPA, Merit Image Review (Reportage)
March - Image Excellence - PPA, Merit Image Review (Artist)
March - Image Excellence - PPA, Merit Image Review (Artist)
2022
Jan – Light, Juried Exhibit – Art Saint Louis
June – 3rd Place Photographer – Manchester Arts, FOCUS Photography
June – North Central Districts Top 10, Artist – International Print Competition
June – North Central Districts Top 10, General Portrait – International Print Competition
July – Missouri Photography of the Year – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Top 10 Photographer – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Best Creative Artist – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Best Wedding – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – First Place, Creative Artist – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – First Place, Wedding – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Second Place, Portrait – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Four for Four – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – Judges Choice Award – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
Sept - International Photographic Competition – Gold, Artist (PPA)
Sep – Imaging Excellence – Artist Open (2) – International Photographic Competition – PPA
Sep – Imaging Excellence – Photographic Open (2) – International Photographic Competition – PPA
Sep – Merit – Artist Open (4) – International Photographic Competition - PPA
Sep – Merit – Portrait (3) – International Photographic Competition - PPA
2021
Feb – Hope, Juried Exhibit - Art Saint Louis
July – Top Ten Photographer – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
July – First Place – Creative Open – Missouri Professional Photographers Association (Non-Master)
July – First Place – Straight Out of Camera – Missouri Professional Photographers Association (Non-Master)
July – Third Place – Creative Open – Missouri Professional Photographers Association (Non-Master)
July – Judges Choice – Missouri Professional Photographers Association
Aug – Top Ten Photographer – PhotoPro Network, Kentucky
Aug – Merit - Photopro Network, Kentucky
Aug – Merit - Photopro Network, Kentucky
Aug – Merit - Photopro Network, Kentucky
Sep – Imaging Excellence – Artist Open – International Photographic Competition – PPA
Sep – Merit – Portrait – International Photographic Competition - PPA
Sep – Merit – Portrait/Child – International Photographic Competition – PPA
SPEAKING
2023
May - PPA Workshops - The Creative Advantage: Learn to See Things Differently, Discover Artistic Editing
August - Clickcon - Experimental Expressive Photography, Female in Focus, Discover Artistic Editing
2022
Feb – Professional Photographers of Nebraska Annual Conference – Turn Your photos into Art – Learn how to digitally Paint
March – Professional Photographers of Greater Kansas City – Learn how to Digitally Paint in Photoshop
June – Clickcon – Avant-Garde Photography – Explore Your Artistic Side, Photograph to Photo Painting – Learn to Photo Paint from Beginning to End
2021
Jan – Clickcon – See, Create and Execute Innovative Portraits
July – Missouri Professional Photographers Associations – Turn Your Photos into Art! Learn How to Digitally Paint a Photo with Photoshop
Aug – Clickcon – Turn Your Photos into Art! Learn How to Digitally Paint a Photo with Photoshop
Aug – Clickcon – Avant-Garde Photography – Explore Your Artistic Side, Turn Your Photos into Art! Learn How to Digitally Paint a Photo with Photoshop,
2020
March – Promaster/Provenders (cancelled due to COVID)
Aug – Clickcon (cancelled due to COVID)
Oct – Promaster/Provenders (cancelled due to COVID)
2019
Aug – Clickcon – The Art of Editing, Photobashing Techniques, Digitally Paint from a Photograph
Sept – Missouri Professional Photographers Association, Studio Experience
PUBLICATIONS
2023
March - Magazine - Professional Photographers of America
PPA’s Imaging Excellence Collection: Volume XXV - 2022, Marathon Press, 2023
2022
March – Magazine – Senior Muse
March – Magazine – Senior Muse
PPA’s Imaging Excellence Collection: Volume XXV - 2022, Marathon Press, 2023
2021
PPA’s Imaging Excellence Collection: Volume XXIV - 2021, Marathon Press, 2022
2020
Sept – Magazine – Rangefinder – Photo of the Day
2019
Feb – Magazine Feature – Shutter Magazine
Feb – Magazine Feature – Shutter Magazine
March – Magazine Feature- Shutter Magazine
May – Magazine Feature – Shutter Magazine
2018
Dec – Magazine Feature – Shutter Magazine