photograpHER
Every year the world reminds us of women’s achievements by labeling a month just for us ;) International Women’s Month is a celebratory gesture and a great way to publicly recognize our impact. But it’s important to uplift and empower each other throughout the year, because we’re kicking butt every day!
The camera doesn’t often focus on the people producing creative work (unless it’s a test shot or #BTS). I took International Women’s Month as an opportunity to highlight just a few of the incredible women who surround me with their talents, collaboration, and camaraderie. Their contributions to my business, our industry, and the world are immeasurable. And a special shout out goes to my friend Susan Wetherby, a brilliant creative producer who came up with the equally brilliant ‘photograpHER’ title to highlight this project.
The women featured are all creative partners and frequent collaborators who help me with everything from tiny projects and one-offs to big, lengthy endeavors. When I recovered from leg surgeries, many of them basically helped me stay in business. Some lend their talents to marketing and production strategy, one designed my new logo, and we all bounce ideas off of each other. I’m incredibly grateful for the ways in which they keep inspiring me.
Read more about them below. For behind-the-scenes wisdom (and fun), follow @nataliaweedy on Instagram where each woman will share how she empowers herself and others.
- Natalia
Robbie Forrest, Stylist
How did you become a professional stylist?
I was working in a hair salon to pay my way through school for journalism. While working in the salon, I met a stylist who asked me to start helping him on commercial shoots.
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What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Long hours and early call times.
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What is your favorite part of collaborating with photographers/videographers?
It’s so much fun to start with someone’s idea or vision, and then see it through to fruition.
Anne Mauser, Designer/Art Director
What advice would you give young women starting their careers in your field?
Do it , Do it , do it. Keep doing it if you feel confident in it and don’t be dissuaded by doubts. So many women drop out of the field early on and it’s a shame because when you start to really come into your own creatively, you look around and realize how few women are there. If you love it, do it.
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What do you like to do to relax?
Baking is my relaxation outlet. It’s creative but has a science to it that takes away a lot of stress because I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel.
Mailande Moran,
Artist/Writer
How did you come to be a professional artist/writer?
It’s a very long story, but here are the big steps: I was honest about what I wanted to prioritize in my life (freedom of movement, control over my time, my loved ones), I recognized what I’m uniquely good at, and I took small steps to do more of it within a supportive community.
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What is your favorite part of collaborating with other creatives?
It makes me so happy to collaborate with other people whose skills are different than mine. We can create things together that we can’t do on our own.
Virginia
Dees-Boyd, Intern
What advice would you give young women starting their careers in your field?
Leave doors open and make decisions that will allow you to make a variety of choices. Also, no one will make sure you are satisfied with your career but you. So, don’t stay where you are unhappy, life is much too short.
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What do you do when you are creatively blocked for ideas or motivation?
Just start somewhere! It might be awful but the process will lead to creativity and motivation and eventually you will get your groove back.
Kristin Bedinger, Marketing/social media Strategy
What is your professional background?
I studied business/journalism at UNC Chapel Hill, worked in advertising and digital media in NYC and handled marketing, PR, and social media for The Durham hotel for 3.5 years.
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What are some of the biggest challenges of your job?
Keeping brands fresh and always evolving while staying true to their identities. Never ending content creation.
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What is something most people don’t know about you?
I‘ve been to culinary school and cooked professionally in restaurants in NYC.
Lindsey Warren, Retoucher/Assistant
Where ya from?
Originally from Spivey’s Corner (Hollerin’ Capital of the World, but I don’t holler)
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What advice would you give young women starting their careers in your field?
Everyone is a photographer these days, and to stand out requires a lot of self-motivation and dedication to your craft.
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What is something most people don’t know about you?
I dabble with macrame and sewing, I sometimes cook with MSG, and I cut my own hair.
Victoria Bouloubasis, Journalist
How did you become a professional journalist?
I come from a very emotive culture, where we all tell dramatic stories about each other! I’ve been asking who, what, where, when, why, with who, but really why, how, etc. since I could talk. As a kid I loved reading and writing and by age ten I knew I wanted to be a journalist. I did go to journalism school, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. So much of journalism is noticing and listening to everything around you, often through one cog in a big wheel. Through the lens of food, my work aims to dispel myths about the Global South—its people and places—against the backdrop of complex social, political and personal histories.
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Something most people don’t know about you?
I DJ as part of a collective of femme DJs all of the immigrant diaspora, called Mamis & the Papis.