Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Edwards.
Libby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became interested in photography in middle school, I didn’t have a camera, but my friend did, and on the weekends we would create little photoshoots, usually trying to play around with clothes and makeup. I went to Canyon Crest Academy for high school. CCA is known as an artsy school, when I chose to go there, I didn’t think that I would be pursuing photography, but I wanted an environment where I could be creative. I never took a photography class and still haven’t. My freshman year, I started following a photographer on Instagram; Sam Dameshek, he was a photographer just a couple years older than me, living in Laguna Beach. I really credit him with paving the path for photographers to use social media as their main platform. My junior year of high school, I created my business, I was doing photoshoots every week and began to work with more notable clients. I found other photographers at my school and near San Diego to collaborate with and began networking with lots of models in LA. I mainly used Google and YouTube to learn about my camera and how to use it. My career sort of took off in 2017. I began working for brands mainly based in Los Angeles and also started to work with very talented models from all over the world. Today, I am currently studying at Parsons School of Design, in New York City, where I am majoring in fashion photography.
Has it been a smooth road?
Like any great achievement in your life, things never work out how you plan. My career has definitely not been easy to build, but each setback has only motivated me to work harder. The best advice I can give to any person wanting to build their own career is to take chances and ask for what you want. I would not have worked with half of the people that I have if I did not just simply reach out and ask. I have met so many of my personal heroes and idols, by just messaging them over Instagram. Don’t be afraid to be assertive and put yourself out there, and remember, the worst thing someone can say is no.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in fashion photography. While I don’t shoot for big brands (yet) I really love being able to style the model I work with, with clothes that I find all over. What I hope I am known for is making the models I work with very comfortable. Modeling is not an easy career, and I hear stories all the time, unfortunately of photographers taking advantage of their models or mistreating them. I try to make it known from the start, that when I work with someone, it is 100% a collaboration, everyone’s ideas are valued. I think it is boring to just have one person and one vision, it’s really beautiful when two people with different skills/talents can come together and create something new and exciting. I am most proud of the relationships that I have made from this career. At 17, I was meeting some of the most talented people/creators in the business, and they all really taught me how to work hard and go after what I want.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
The most important piece of advice I could give to a young woman starting her career is to stay focused. I believe there is nothing you can’t do if you give it all of your attention. I think it’s really amazing, this era that we are living in, where women are doing so much, that 20 years ago, no one would have expected. Be driven, and work hard and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.libby-edwards.com
- Email: libbyy.edwardss@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbyy.edwardss/
Image Credit:
models: @ashleymmartin, @_lordxlana_, @cassiediamonddd, @arlodrogincarter, @emdixon
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