Conversations with Karl Yost

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karl Yost.

Hi Karl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve worn a lot of different hats over the years, from working in a record shop to spending time in restaurants when I thought I might pursue cooking. Eventually I landed in tech and stayed there for close to thirty years. Getting into tech was a challenge. I had been working for a company that said they would move me into the technology team. When that never happened, I decided to go after it myself.

I didn’t have any formal training in tech, just a genuine interest and a desire to learn. I had some interviews, but most places wanted a degree that I didn’t have. I figured if I could just get in the door I could prove myself. Eventually someone took a chance on me. I passed the technical interview and got an entry level position. From there, I hit the ground running and built a career in tech.

Thirty-ish years later, I was in a similar spot. I wasn’t doing the kind of work that had me excited to keep going. Moving forward would just be more of the same. I wanted to be out in the world, interacting, creating, and not just sitting behind a screen or on conference calls.

As I tried to come up with what was next, I came back to photography and decided to once again take the same approach. No formal training, just interest, curiosity, and a willingness to figure it out. Now I am building something new, learning new skills, using some old ones and seeing where it all goes.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but maybe it looked that way from the outside. Internally I was fighting imposter syndrome. It has always been there, from day one of the tech job up until the day I left. Now on this new path, I am finding my way again. I am constantly in awe of what I see my peers doing, and I have to be mindful not to judge myself against that. I need to follow my own ideas, and not chase what others are doing or have done.

Realizing this is my path helped me start to move past that feeling. Imposter syndrome won’t go away, but I understand it, and myself, better than ever at this point in my life.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My passion, or what I am most interested in, is photographing creators. Musicians, dancers, writers, anyone building something that matters to them. Humans are always creating. I think a lot of people misunderstand that. It’s not just the arts where creativity lives. Anytime someone puts themselves into something, a creation happens. It might not be the most obvious thing, but it’s there, and I enjoy working with people and helping them see themselves in a new light. My job is to stay out of the way enough to let that happen, and be ready when it does.

I do a fair amount of commercial work as well, events, real estate, and food and drink for local businesses. I approach that work the same way. I want it to feel like something, not just look good. I care about the people behind the business and what they’re trying to build, and I try to bring that into the images.

That’s really the difference for me. I’m not trying to chase a style or follow trends, I’m just trying to photograph what’s actually there.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I never had a formal mentor, but I’ve been fortunate to have people around me who were willing to help when I asked. A lot of it comes down to being open about what you don’t know. I’ve found that most people are willing to share their experience and expertise if you’re honest and respectful of their time.

Networking, for me, hasn’t been about trying to meet as many people as possible. It’s been about having real conversations and building relationships over time. Conversations can spark so many ideas and uncover things you never thought of. Ask questions, listen closely, and don’t be afraid if you don’t have all the answers. That’s how you find the right people along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karlyost.photography
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlyostphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karlyostphotography
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/karlyostphotography/