Carolina Gao

About

Carolina Gao (Media by Car) 📍 Durham, NC | Creative Director | Buyer & Upcycler | Photographer & Maker Multidisciplinary creative with a sharp eye for aesthetic storytelling, sustainable fashion, and brand identity. Currently serving as the Lead Buyer at a local thrift store, where I combine trend forecasting with community-conscious curation. Outside of that, I run Media by Car — a creative studio offering photography, content design, and handmade goods under the working tagline “Made with Care.” With a background in visual storytelling and production, I specialize in capturing personality-forward media, directing shoots, and designing content for small brands, campaigns, and artists. My practice bridges digital and physical mediums, from upcycled apparel and market-ready accessories to social templates and media services. Whether styling a lookbook, working with a team, or stitching one-of-a-kind pieces, I lead with vision, intuition, and intention.

Experience

• Lead Photographer · CADY2024-09-01 – 2025-02-01

  Organize and support photographers and traffic in studio and at events. Deliver consistent work that achieves company standards. Efficiently pack equipment for events and carry out events as necessary. Communicate with team members as well as contacts both within the company and within client institutions. Communicate issues and changes effectively. Delegate duties to team members. Close out events and elites.

• Photographer · CADY2024-05-01 – 2024-09-01
• Manager · Coffee and Crepes2021-01-01 – 2024-01-01

  Built staff morale and brought new hires in for long-term employment. Created menus for the restaurant. Efficiently resolved guest concerns. Created Prep Lists; facilitated and oversaw store Preparations. Trained crew members effectively

• Community Engagement Intern · DPAC2023-01-01 – 2023-01-01

  Communicated with local restaurants to facilitate trades and donations for Triangle Rising Stars. Organized archival footage and photos. Efficiently ran errands for the Community Engagement Team. Designed and maintained presentations for Community Engagement program applicants.

• President and Historian · Extra Theatre Company2021-01-01 – 2023-01-01

  Planned fundraising events, club member socials and meetings. Directed and oversaw planning of end-of-year Variety Show and Department event. Created digital content for marketing and social media purposes along with a 6-month social media campaign.

Education

• Meredith CollegeBachelor of Arts - BA, Theatre and Communications

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