Meet CC Flight | Model, Photographer & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with CC Flight and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CC, how do you think about risk?
When I think about risk, I think about opportunity and what I might not have the chance to experience and learn from without it. One of my college professors once said, “You’re afraid to apply for this scholarship because you don’t think you’ll get it? Well, you have a guaranteed 0% chance if you don’t apply, but at least you’ll have .0001% chance if you do, so why not?” I’ve carried these words with me for years now applying them to different situations in my life that required some risk whether big or small. Taking risks as a creator has been integral to growing my brand. First of all, I was working full-time at my last job (public service in higher education) in West Virginia AND visiting LA to create not even sure if making a career out of art was possible. It was a hard balance that ultimately came down to me taking the plunge when someone asked me to be their roommate in LA and me saying, “Well, I have 0% chance of becoming a full-time creator staying at my current job. Might as well move West and try or else I’ll never know if I can!” That’s when I up and left my small town for La La Land. It was a risk that gave me the opportunity to grow every part about my brand and make a name for myself in the modeling/photography scene here. This may seem like your typical “small town girl moves to big city” story, and it 100% was to some degree. I grew up dirt poor, and I’ve been totally self-sufficient since I was about 17 years old. Each milestone I achieved in my life was done by working my ass off and taking risks. I would not be able to support myself fully through art if I hadn’t taken the risks to get here.

In case you’re wondering, I did get that scholarship and spent one year studying in Morocco. A risk I’ll never regret.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art comes from a place of deep reverence for the beautifully strange, the weird, the wild, and the wonderful. Yes, that is a not-so-subtle reference to my roots in rural West Virginia, but also to the avant-garde world of creativity. I love to get weird and try new ideas at every shoot whether I’m modeling or shooting. Growing up in WV helped open my eyes to the boundless beauty and importance of honoring nature, which then translated into photographing the natural human form, as well as using my own, to create art. Much of my art has elements of earth and nudity in a way that encapsulates some of the truest forms of our wild existence here on earth. Likewise, I oftentimes like to marry concepts of natural beauty and absurdity to evoke even more raw emotions and curiosity from my audience. My goal through art is to leave people feeling free, curious, and passionate in their bodies and on earth.

How did I get here? Well, I’ve been in front of the camera since high school. I used to make my best friend’s little sister take creative photos of me because she had a nice camera. It wasn’t until college that I really got into photography myself taking photos of bands at the local venue. I ended up falling in love with modeling, too, after doing smaller fashion shows for parties in college. The music community also has played a huge role in my art as well being that it breeds artists of all kinds and encourages free expression. I started getting more serious when we went into lockdown because I had time on my hands to tap into my creativity from home. Most of my challenges came from being able to afford gear, but I managed to save and finance a 35mm film camera and just went full force into the world of film. I’m not kidding when I say I couldn’t put the thing down for the first 6 months of having it. Being behind the camera was and still is a very fulfilling part of my life, but so is modeling to a degree even though I find it slightly more vulnerable of a creative space. Vulnerable in the sense that I have had to push through thoughts of body dysmorphia and other beauty standards, but that is also what I love about my own art because I can strip away those forsaken myths of what beauty is supposed to entail and let it come from a more true origin of acceptance for all bodies.

I’m very excited to be in the planning stages of 2 major photography projects set for completion this Spring that I am creative directing! My previously mentioned partner is shooting both projects, and I will be modeling alongside many of my creative colleagues. I don’t want to give too many details away, but I will tell you that one is going to be an epic group shoot involving my vintage Victorian couch and the other pink tennis rackets!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First things first, we would get an oat milk latte from JOi, my favorite coffee shop and cafe in Thousand Oaks. (It’s a vegan joint, and I’m not even vegan. I just love their food and service!) Then we would go hiking in the Malibu Canyon. Obviously, I would bring my camera so we could take photos, too. After hiking to the top of some of my favorite trails (secrets only to be revealed if we hike together!), we would stop at Sunlife in Malibu to get a “Mystic” smoothie before heading back to my place to play music with my roommates in our little studio. The next day, we would wake up early to catch sunrise at Zuma Beach/Point Dume, my favorite beach spot. We would then go thrifting because you need a piece to take with you back home! After shopping, we would order Lal Much Indian food. I promise you will not be dissatisfied with their Baigan Bortha (a delicious and savory tomato eggplant dish) or Coconut Curry Lamb. I’m not the biggest fan of going downtown because of my social anxiety, but we could definitely plan to go the next day. I would probably just make it a day of exploring because I’m not even familiar either! To end your short but awesome LA experience, we would go to a yoga class at Westlake Yoga Company and then finish it out with a sound bath. Hope you enjoyed your stay!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been very profound moments in my life when people and experiences were pushing me toward being an artist when I didn’t even know it. I’m so thankful for those Many people have helped me become the artist and creative being I am today, but there is someone who has truly been the most impactful thus far. My partner and fellow creative, Alan Krespan or @deceptiveperspective on Instagram, has been by my side through the entire journey of becoming a full-time artist AND has taught me so much of what I know about photography. He’s been shooting for years now, and before we started dating, I was so utterly inspired by his work. We became friends and then later partners, but he has been a huge part of my success as an artist. Some of my first “real” modeling experiences were with him. I would have not known how to edit if it weren’t for him sitting on the couch late at night going through Lightroom together. Everything from software to cameras, he has been the guy I go to for everything. He’s an LA native and still one of my biggest inspirations, so I think he deserves all the recognition!

Website: ccflight.com

Instagram: cecilyflight

Twitter: CecilyFlight

Other: Twitch: twitch.tv/ccflight

Image Credits
Alan Krespan Kate Fucci Louise Rosealma Justin Marra Corey Ingram Kate Algoso Caitlyn Sway Steph in Space Shawna Rose Dallas E. Maxwell Riley Coyote Jay Marie Port PrincessPisces