What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?
The Creative Community to me is fabulous people working really hard together. We are a community that is interesting, exciting, motivated and of course creative. We inspire each other with out of the box ideas, collaborations and help one another out when you need a last minute location, prop or assistant, we ask each other for suggestions on how to deal with a tough a client, and how to grow our businesses. We celebrate each others victories and we help to create new ones together.
How did you discover your creativity?
I have always been completely obsessed with anything craft or art related for as long as I can remember. When I was nine years old I entered a coloring contest. I remember really wanting to win this one (I had entered many before) but this one boasted a prize of a $50 gift certificate to the mall, and they would paint your picture into a mural on one of the walls inside the mall. So I made a plan, for each section of the picture I wanted a texture to trace or rub over. I went around my house looking for textures, once I had collected them all I began to draw/rub/trace. I also glued on cotton balls for clouds. My mother tells me she saw me doing this and thought that will never win but she's having fun so I won't say anything. I mailed it in and much to my mothers surprise I won first place and got my gift certificate and mural! She's never doubted my creative vision since.
Name the biggest challenge you have had in growing your business. How did you solve it?
Transitioning from a full time Photo Styling/Producing gig into being completely freelance was a lot of work. I worked approximately 55-65 hrs per week at my job and then was taking on freelancing gigs on top of it to grow my clientele for about 8 months, I was open and honest with my boss and thus she was very supportive because she knew I should be out there freelancing but she also didn't want to lose me prematurely if she could help it. She worked with me to switch days around to make my schedule work. But working 7 days a week isn't really sustainable long term, so we both knew my end goal was to leave the company and only be freelancing.
What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?
iPhone, Kind granola bars, welches fruit snacks, Water, altoids, MacBook Air, Earbuds, Matte Pink Plaid Mac lipstick, Trish McEvoy Brightening pink lip gloss, Rosebud salve for lips and hands (Obsessed; I have a tins of this everywhere), Betsy Johnson aviator sunglasses, Vintage 60's era glasses, Cynthia Rowley gold pen, Ear plugs (my boyfriend's in a few bands)
Top 3 Tips you would give someone starting out in your creative profession:
Be nice, work hard.
Return emails and calls promptly or your clients will find someone else who will.
Build a portfolio and a network at the same time, Instead of shooting most of your portfolio with just one photographer stretch yourself. When I was starting out as a new stylist I emailed/called every photographer in town and offered to work on a shoot with them for free to build my book, some brought me on to really great shoots for magazines where they really wanted a stylist but had no budget. It was a win-win but not only did I get a great book out of it I also made new contacts, this really helped me to grow my network.
Who are you following right now on Instagram for inspiration and why?@CFDA - Show casing new designers and the best of the best
@ruemagazine - They blend fashion and home to make gorgeous content
@em_henderson - Stylist, posting beautifully styled interiors, best selling author, TV host etc
@apartmenttherapy - real homes being made over, because I'm obsessed with home renos
@weworewhat - style inspiration
What is your MOTTO in life?
I have 3 things I say a lot:
Style and smile (when a shoot has gone side ways it's important to remember to stay positive).
Team work makes the dream work.
Just be a good person.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
White wine and Catfish the TV show, it's like junk food for my brain.
What do your parents think you do?
They think I shop way too much, no but really they understand what styling is because my father shoots feature length films as an obsessive hobby. They are always intrigued to hear all the tips and tricks I use to get something styled.
What would be your Networking Do's & Dont's.:
Do say hi to strangers and ask them questions. Do bring business cards and don't be afraid to share them. Don't speak ill of others in your industry. Do bring a friend.
Full Name: Lizzy Williams
Profession: Prop & Wardrobe Stylist
Industry: Photography & Video
Website: www.lizwillstyles.com
Facebook: LizWillStyles
Instagram: @lizwillstyles
Twitter: @lizwillstyles
LinkedIn: lizzywilliams