THE HUMAN BEHIND THE NAME

CODI RAE CREATIVE


I've always been an observer. Someone who notices the little things, takes in the world around me, and feels everything deeply. I'm a sensitive soul, a curious wanderer, and someone who has spent much of her life trying to make sense of this beautifully messy human experience.


For as long as I can remember, the natural world has been where I feel most connected to myself. There's something about being among the trees, feeling the earth beneath my feet, or sitting beside a body of water that brings me back to myself in a way nothing else quite can. I've always gravitated toward living in places where nature is just outside my door, because being connected to it isn't something I do occasionally. It's a part of how I live, how I create, and how I move through the world.


I'm drawn to what's real. The unfiltered moments, the honest conversations, the beauty in imperfection, and the connections that allow us to show up exactly as we are. I've never been particularly interested in what things are supposed to look like. I'd much rather discover what's there when we stop trying so hard to make everything into something else.


Creativity has become one of the ways I make sense of it all. Through photography, putting my thoughts into words, and the simple act of being present with another human being, I find myself returning to the same things again and again: connection, authenticity, and the beauty of being alive.


Outside of all that, you'll likely find me wandering a trail with my pup and favorite adventure partner, Charlie, exploring in my van, Luna, drinking a good cup of tea, walking barefoot through the woods, or dancing whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. I love a good adventure, but I love the quiet moments just as much. The ones where there's nowhere else to be and nothing else to do but take it all in.


I'm still learning, still growing, still discovering what it means to live a life that feels true to me. And I think that's part of the beauty of this human experience.

THE PATH THAT LED ME HERE


My path to this work has been anything but linear, but looking back, I can see how so many of the experiences along the way have brought me to this place.


I earned my degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Utah in 2016 and spent nearly seven years working as an adaptive sports instructor in the mountains of Crested Butte, Colorado. Those years taught me so much about the power of connection, the freedom found in movement, and the ways the natural world can create space for people to discover parts of themselves they may not have known existed.


My love for photography began long before I ever considered it a profession, with a little pink point-and-shoot camera I carried around as a young girl. Somewhere along the way, photography found its way back into my life, and what began as a natural curiosity has grown into one of my favorite ways to connect with and experience the world. I've been fortunate to photograph a wide variety of people, places, and experiences, each offering something new to notice, learn from, and appreciate. I continue to grow as an artist, following my curiosity and allowing my work to grow alongside me.


But some of my greatest teachers have come through my own lived experiences.


My personal journey has taken me into some of the deepest and most challenging parts of myself, while also opening me to a greater understanding of compassion, presence, and what it means to feel truly seen and heard. It's an ongoing journey, one that continues to shape how I relate to myself, to others, and to the world around me.


Along the way, I've been drawn to exploring different approaches to connection and healing, including training in Reiki, with hopes of continuing my education in yoga, somatic practices, and other forms of body-based awareness and exploration.


I don't believe there is one right way to navigate through this human experience, but I do believe deeply in the power of genuine connection, movement, the wisdom of the natural world, and the importance of having spaces where we can simply show up as we are.


It's from this place that my work continues to evolve.

THROUGH MY LENS

Photography

THROUGH MY VOICE

Writing + Reflections

THROUGH MY HEART

Connection + Presence

These are the ways I find myself connecting, creating, and sharing pieces of this beautifully messy human experience. I invite you to explore whatever speaks to you.


I am so grateful you are here.

-Codi Rae