A single photograph can express the deepest emotion and ignite a curiosity about the story behind it. On today’s episode of Era of the Creative, we welcome Maybeline Dugue-Despagne, owner of Maybeline Photography and Pix City Studio. She’s a delight and super creative behind the camera. In her first-ever podcast interview, she shares with us her go-to camera and lens and describes her journey of finding her photography style. She tells us about the power of props, how she comes up with her incredible set designs, and her hilarious park-shoot adventures. Tune in now to hear all this and so much more, from the fabulously talented Maybeline!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Maybeline shares her go-to camera and her go-to lens.
• How she describes her photography.
• She tells us about her studio set-up and her different colored walls.
• How she navigates creative dry spells. 
• Maybeline tells listeners how she got into photography. 
• How she adopted the use of props and understood their power.
• The most interesting shoot she’s done so far. 
• We talk pricing and all the aspects that go into it.
• The struggle for creatives to play both the businessman and the creative.
• What she looks for in a model as a photographer and creative director. 
• The difference between shooting a group of people (family) versus shooting with a professional model.
• Her favorite photos to shoot.
• Her aspirations and goals for the future in the photography industry.
• What inspires Maybeline to keep creating. 
• She tells listeners about her light(s) setup.
• Maybeline answers some rapid-fire questions. 
• Why, at first, she didn’t want to work with models.
• We talk about storytelling and how to direct emotion for photos.
• What she is dominant at in her industry.  
• Her most memorable set.
• She explains what Mylar is and talks us through her Mylar shoot.
• How she handles disappointment with social media posts. 

Tweetables:

“I’m still finding my style. I like storytelling, I like editorial work. I’m still exploring I would say but I like to capture people in their natural element. Like, I don’t like posing people.” — Maybeline Dugue-Despagne [0:01:47]

“At some point, I’ll pick some of my shoots. I am not going to be as available as I am right now because I want family time also. I want to slow down some time because I get tired. So it is going to be maybe coaching, maybe workshops, and different things.” — Maybeline Dugue-Despagne [0:25:07]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Maybeline Dugue-Despagne on Instagram

Maybeline Dugue-Despagne on TikTok

Maybeline Dugue-Despagne on LinkedIn

Maybeline Dugue-Despagne Photography

Pix City Studio on Instagram

Pix City Studio on TikTok

Pix City Studio

Stanlo Photography

Era of the Creative on YouTube

Up until now, we’ve only had photographers on the podcast, but today we’re mixing it up with creative extraordinaire Cristina “Crisp” Plinio. Not only is Crisp a reputable stylist and art director, but she is also a singer and the Founder of Cannabis Zine, Gastronomy. At only 26, she has already achieved so much both personally and professionally and has no intention of curbing her ambition. In this episode, we learn about her origin story, how she entered the fashion world, and what inspired her to pursue music. Crisp shares her love for thrifting, plant medicine, and film photography, and sheds light on Gastronomy’s concept, cause, and creative direction. We find out about her musical project and the creative freedom it affords her, her commitment to authenticity on set, and the working relationship she has with her chosen photographers. Crisp swears by the art of consistency and is a living testimony to the philosophy that you’ll get where you want to be if you just keep going. Tune in for inspiration and advice from the awe-inspiring creative who flat-out refuses to be anything but herself, on set and beyond!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Cristina “Crisp” Plinio’s stylistic inspiration for her work in both fashion and music.
• Crisp’s origin story; how she entered the fashion world.
• The life event that inspired her to pursue music.
• Insight into the concept and creative direction for her cannabis magazine, Gastronomy.
• Crisp shares her passion for plant medicine.
• Her plans for the future of Gastronomy.
• Crisp’s approach to styling with thrifted clothes.
• Her personal styling tips.
• Her on and off-set relationship with the photographers she works with.
• Her foray into film photography.
• The intentional curation of her Instagram grid.
• Her musical ambition and the creative freedom her music affords her.
• Her commitment to authenticity on set.
• Crisp’s advice for those who are feeling lost and unseen.
• What motivates her to stay consistent and keep going.
• Why she chooses to sell online.
• Exercising the confidence muscle.
• The projects Crisp is most excited by.
• The importance of surrounding yourself with a team of good people.
• Crisp’s experience of styling musicians early on in her career.
• The process of creating her own music video.
• The inspiration behind her song, “Hell to Pay”.
• What people can expect at the annual Gastronomy Gallery events.

Finding Your Photographic Niche with JR Hutter

Episode 11: Show Notes.

Finding your niche and developing your personal style in the creative world is going to take you to the next level. Joining us today to share his photographic journey, is “One Dope Photographer”, JR Hutter. JR fills us in on the unique way he fell into photography, the niche he found photographing women in wrestling, and his creative goals going forward. We discuss the fine balance between classy and tacky when it comes to swimwear and lingerie photography, and break down the red flags models need to look out for to avoid working with predators posing as photographers. JR shares his editing preferences, the pressure he feels from social media, and the greatest challenge of his career. Tune in to hear JR’s inspiring story and advice on how you, too, can develop a distinguishable style.

Key Points From This Episode:

How JR Hunter came to his photography handle, OneDopePhotographer.
JR’s go-to camera and lens.
His unique photography journey.
How to avoid taking tacky swimsuit and lingerie photos.
JR’s future plans for his photography career.
How he found his niche in photographing women in wrestling.
The perks his Patreons receive.
His plans to curb burnout.
JR’s photographic turnaround time.
The value of a business mindset in a creative space.
How JR developed his distinguishable style.
He shares his editing tips and preferences.
What he feels will take him to the next level.
The work that goes into delivering a photograph.
JR’s transition from shooting nightlife to shooting portraits.
The pressure of social media.
Whom JR loves to shoot and why.
His interest in incorporating video and BTS content going forward.
The greatest challenge he’s up against in his photography career.
What he wishes he knew before embarking on his photographic journey.
JR criticizes the predatory approach of other photographers in the field.
Red flags models need to look out for in photographers.
JR’s worst shoot experiences.
The networking opportunity of photographic meet-ups.
JR’s ideal shoot.