Work Rant Work!

The past week or so, I've been buried under my work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and I'm so fortunate to be one of the lucky few people who actually have a career in what my passion is. I've worked so hard as an individual and an artist to be where I' am today and, to be connected and befriend people in the fashion industry. I'm still growing and learning a lot about the industry. I've had some great opportunities to work with some great photographers and I can't wait for the end results.  As, a freelance stylist I've always made it my goal and apart of who I am as a stylist to promote local designers and vendors in the city. Believe it or not Vancouver has some great talent out there. We just need to be open minded and accept them as an artist and to give them a helping hand in the industry. I have no problem of the idea of buying and returning clothing to the big department stores in the city but, usually that would be my second choice to go to if I couldn't find something locally first if they didn't have what I was looking for. I find that new stylist now and days have been pulling all their clothing choices from H&M, Club monaco, urban outfitters. There's nothing wrong with that but, how many other stylist have done the same old style over and over again using the same store over and over again?  I admit I do buy and return things from those stores as well but, I don't make it a point to use it for my whole wardrobe choices while on a shoot. It would likely be mixed in with some other pieces that I pulled from designers or vendors. Not being agency represented isn't a bad thing or a harder way to pull clothes from vendors or designers. Its all self marketing and, how you sell yourself and the overall concept. It's also being confident in your own skills as, a stylist and your ability to make a designer or vendor feel they are getting their worth.  Living in a not so fashionable city isn't an excuse. I say open your mind and think outside of the box a little. If I had one advice to stylist who are wanting to have it be their full time career is, to connect and network with as many designers and vendor owners as you can. Of course at times you will get rejected but, that's part of the industry. If you get rejected just remember there's another designer or a new vendor that is probably more willing. Help them to help you.

On a side note...

I've been doing back to back photo shoots with some great talent recently. I finally got to shoot my paper flower headpiece segment. The flowers photographed super well but, unfortunately my model didn't have the personality to pull it off. Photos of the end results of my little project will be posted up soon!  I've been fortunate enough to shoot with some great new faces from NEXT Canada and Liz bell. Such beautiful models that just made the job so much easier and enjoyable. I love it when their mom's come and hang out on set. They have such an interest in the whole photo shoot aspect. My next photo shoot is this sunday with Ben Kwan and hair artist Natalia Petcu. Then its back to work on Tuesday. This year I'll be attending the Know Show? in Vancouver. Its a big trade show for the snowboard and skateboard industry. I better start freshening up my snowboard/ skateboard lingo.

I'll be posting up some new photos of my new work ASAP.