There are many elements and fields in the creative industry that one can fall into depending on what you passion and talent is. The fields in the industry vary from photography to designing, creative directing and digital directing. The creative industries are constantly evolving and expanding especially now that most people prefer to take the creative route with their choice of occupation.
So where do I fall into the creative industries?
I am a self-taught photographer based in Cape Town. I stated doing photography around 2015 and decided to peruse it as my passion and talent from there onwards.
I’ve been using a canon 1200D since the beginning and don’t plan on changing it anytime soon. My work is highly contrasted and bright and I enjoy producing bright colours in the images. I use VSCO to edit my images due to it be accessible on my phone and is free of charge. I started charging my clients for photo-shoots around 2016 due to the improvement of my work and the effort and time that goes into producing the images.
I only really started branching out and networking within the industry during 2017. I entered the creative industry at a young age and was privileged enough to creating relationships and network within the industry and get my foot in as early as possible. I started studying marketing in order to learn how to market myself, my brand and my photography.
Luckily the creative industries aren’t just limited to photography. I could possible branch into styling and creative directing with it all being involved with photography. Your skills aren’t limited within the industry and there multiple ways to learn new skill through online courses or internships.
Although being in this industry is not always easy. With being a creative there’s a lot of mental issues that you’ll go through whether it’s about you thinking your work Is not good enough and that you won’t really make it anywhere if your work meets a certain standard . Being a creative can be draining due you constantly having to prove yourself to non creatives. The most important tip to remember is to never compare yourself to others in the industry, everyone is different even if they’re in with the same field as you, and everyone has a different goal.
I enjoy being around creatives and people who I can feed off from. I want to surrounded constantly be creative minds with my chosen work in the future, I personally don’t see myself in anything other than a creative occupation.
I highly enjoy being in the creative industry cause I’m constantly meeting new and interesting people , most of networking events such as doomsnite hosted by CRAYONS and events held at the waiting room , these venues are were most of the creatives hand out and network on a comfortable and casual level.
My goal with photography is to be recognised for my work on an international platform and make photography my main focus, my vision with my photography especially within the fashion industry , I want my work to be in store windows with brands such as DIESEL , ADIDAS, H&M and LEVIS . I’d like to expand my skills into creative directing and styling photo-shoots because the more you do the more valued you’d be. For now photography is my side job due me still studying and not being able to peruse it completely.
I have many artists in this industry that I look up to like ben moyo , Gabriella kannmeyer , imraan Christian , Sarah Hugo hamman and Aubrey Ndiweni . All these artists are Cape Town based photographers who i have some contact with. My goal for this year is to job shadow or assist at least one of these artists. Each of their styles is different but I get inspiration from all them .
Aa'ishah . 