Photos by @Naptography

Most of us, I’d say, want to live our life doing what we are passionate about. We want to figure out how to turn our passion into profit. Our creativity into cash. Few people will tell you it’s easy, but many will tell you it is worth it.

I am writing this post to tell you it is 1000% worth it.

I look back on the first days when I started blogging, taking photos, styling, writing, putting my creative work out there, etc., and a lot of my content was very different from what I produce today. I love to reflect and see how much I’ve developed and (once in a while) give myself a little credit when I’m feeling creative block or that I’m not doing enough.

navy leather celine tote

Working with hundreds of clients over the past 6 years and starting my own business has definitely helped empower my creative spirit, push creative boundaries, and refine my editorial process. Passion and practice makes perfect. These brand partnerships wouldn’t be possible without awesome influencer agencies like Collectively who have hired me for a number of their campaigns that they produce with major brands including Uber, TurboTax, Pandora, etc. Collectively really helped me develop a more professional approach when working with brands and they helped me understand how important the campaign message has to be for it to be effective. Campaigns should be focused on contributing and inspiring society in a positive and meaningful way, creating quality content to brand the product, and engaging the audience so that they can become a future customer. Learning this has helped me think outside the box and take my career to the next level.

Since working with Collectively, I’ve expanded the types of brands I’ve worked with – moving from solely fashion to lifestyle. I’ve been challenged creatively on projects – which is tough when you first start, but extremely rewarding after you push through. Trust. You have to try something different once in a while to spice things up. Push your creativity.

Working with brands through Collectively has helped me work with other big brands as well. Showing that you can create diverse content is appealing to a brand, and will also prevent you from pigeonholing yourself to one small niche market. I love embracing an open mind and creating diverse content with various aesthetics while still staying true and authentic. It is what has helped me take my businesses to the next level.

If you’re a creative who’s trying to make their passion pay the bills, my advice to you is to surround yourself and work with awesome people who will help empower your creative spirit and don’t stop creating. You have to constantly brainstorm, strategize, network, practice, get out there, get inspired, and push your boundaries. Challenge yourself. And then the money will come.

I took these photos with @Naptography who reached out to work together last month. It was a fun adventure on a beautiful day and we created some quality content  to go along with today’s post. I love it.

Get out there and get creative.

xx
celine la blogger flare