We recently had the chance to connect with Heather C. Morrow and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Heather C., it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The devastation of losing my Altadena home of 17 years in the Eaton Fire compelled me to turn to photography as a way to process and preserve this profound moment of collective loss. My exhibit, *Bearing Witness: Fragments of Humanity*, now on view at the Artists & Makers Studio Gallery in San Gabriel, is the result of that journey.
I’m deeply proud of recognizing the urgency to share this story—and of finding a gallery willing to host it. The show opened just six months after the fire, which meant an intense period of editing, printing, mounting, and installing 44 photographs. It was a scramble, but a meaningful one.
To help convey the scale of destruction, I collaborated with Noel McCarthy, who had created a map that color-coded the status of each structure. I have provided clear heart pins for visitors to mark their own losses. Over time, the map has evolved into a communal artwork—each heart a quiet testament to grief, memory, and resilience.
This project is more than an exhibit. It’s a space for healing, reflection, and reconnection—for my neighbors, my community, and myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Until sometime during the pandemic, I considered photography more of a hobby—something I used to capture meaningful moments and travel memories. My first camera came into my hands around age eight, and I later studied black and white film photography in high school, which deepened my appreciation for the medium.
My curiosity about transferring infrared images onto ceramics led me to follow wildlife photographer Piper McKay. During the pandemic, she offered an online workshop that explored this technique in depth—and I was hooked.
That experience sparked a shift. I invested in the latest camera gear and used the downtime to sharpen my technical skills and dive into digital photography methods that were entirely new to me. What began as a pastime evolved into a powerful creative pursuit.
You can explore my eclectic collection of work at heathercmorrowphotography.com, which features a vibrant mix of animals, landscapes, and floral studies. While distinct from my narrative-driven projects, this portfolio reflects my ongoing exploration of beauty, form, and the natural world. My photography has been accepted for several years into the highly acclaimed Orange County Fair and showcased in juried exhibits throughout Los Angeles, earning recognition for its visual impact and artistic range. These honors continue to affirm my creative evolution and inspire new directions in both personal and community-centered work.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was 34 when my first husband passed away from cancer—just two years into our marriage. That loss profoundly shifted how I saw the world and my place in it. Grief left me untethered, searching for meaning in the aftermath.
In that quiet ache, I found myself drawn to a weekly oil painting class. It became a lifeline—helping me reclaim joy and reconnect with the creative spirit I thought I’d lost. From painting, I ventured into ceramics, and eventually, that path led me back to photography, a passion that had been waiting patiently for my return.
Life is fragile and fleeting. Chase what brings you joy. Let others do the same. And when you can—choose forgiveness. It lightens the load.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When life gets hard, it’s natural to want to give up. That instinct—fight or flight—lives in all of us. For me, it often surfaces in the most ordinary moments, the small frustrations that pile up. But I’ve learned something powerful: when I lean into the very thing I want to walk away from, I often find success waiting on the other side.
It’s not easy. Sometimes it means long hours, uncomfortable growth, and showing up when you’d rather hide. But the reward of persistence—the quiet triumph of pushing through—is always worth it. Some days, simply showing up is enough. Other days, you’ll move mountains. Just don’t give up on yourself. You’re capable of more than you know when you commit to the journey.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends, they’d probably tell you I’m fiercely loyal, with a deep commitment to the well-being of my family, my community, and of course, my beloved fur-babies. They’d say I work tirelessly—sometimes more than I should—and gently remind me to slow down once in a while. I’m passionate about many things, and I’m always eager to share what I’ve learned, whether it’s through conversation, collaboration, or creative expression.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am no longer here, I hope what remains is the quiet but unwavering love I carried—for humanity, for the planet, and for the communities that shaped me. My life has been a tapestry of creative expression: photography, ceramics, painting, and writing—all born from a desire to witness, to feel, and to connect. I hope these works live on, offering beauty, reflection, and comfort to those who hold them close.
The Eaton Fire took some of my creations, but it did not take my voice. It did not take my will to rebuild, to reimagine, to continue. I am still here, still creating, still believing in the power of art to heal and to endure. My legacy is not just in what I’ve made, but in the resilience, I’ve lived—in the choice to keep showing up, to keep loving, and to keep leaving behind fragments of hope.
May my work speak for me when I cannot. May it remind others that even in loss, there is light. And may it inspire those who come after me to create boldly, love deeply, and never stop bearing witness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heathercmorrowphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascapturedbyheather/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090656709800
Image Credits
Heather C. Morrow
