When my wife and I first moved to Nashville 25 years ago it was quite a disappointing experience. When we pulled into town in our U-Haul from Southern California we were not impressed at all. We drove around for about an hour and decided to move to a city about 20 miles south called Franklin. Since then Nashville has grown and developed into a world class city full of culture and opportunities.

Nashville has always been known for its vibrant music scene, which has drawn creative individuals from all over the world. But, in recent years, Nashville has developed into a thriving hub for not just photography, but all creative people and businesses across various industries, not just music.

One of the primary reasons for Nashville's growth as a creative hub is its low cost of living and doing business. Nashville is more affordable than other creative cities such as New York City or L.A.. This has made the whole Nashville Metro Area an attractive destination for artists, writers, musicians, and entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves without breaking the bank.

Nashville's economy is booming, thanks to a thriving healthcare industry, as well as a surge in technology and entrepreneurship. With the growth of industries outside of music, it's become a place where creative professionals can find work and business owners can thrive.

Also, Nashville is a very supportive community that values creativity and innovation. The city's creative organizations, photography studios, co-working spaces, and networking events provide opportunities for creatives to connect, collaborate, and gain exposure.

Nashville's cultural diversity also contributes to its growth as a creative hub. The city is home to various ethnic communities, and their unique perspectives and traditions influence the arts, music, and cuisine of the city. This diversity makes the city a fascinating place for artists and creatives to live and work.

Finally, the quality of life here is fantastic. Nashville has always been known for its friendly people, but the food scene has really taken off in the last several years. Then there's the city's green spaces and access to outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and fishing, which make it desirable for those who love the outdoors.

Basically, Nashville has become a hub for creative people and businesses due to its low cost of living, growing economy, supportive community, cultural diversity, and high quality of life. With all of this in mind, I see Nashville continuing to attract creative and innovative minds (photographers, designers, chefs, architects, etc. for years to come.