FEATURING: Jacqueline Tobin

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

These words bring to mind a support system that encourages education, networking, business growth and industry friendships that extend beyond just business. I think a good way to utilize members in a Creative Community is to have monthly meetings, group outings, networking sessions, and opportunities where members can contribute to other members' work product. For example, I am always happy to feature photographers i meet at industry junkets on our Wedding of the Week blog, in magazine features, and I even meet potential speakers for our annual trade show, WPPI, when I am participating in networking events (both casual and formal ones). Helping each other evolve and grow the industry we all represent is always a plus.

How did you discover your creativity?

When I was ten years old, my dad started a newsletter called The Tobin Tatler out of our attic. My sisters and I would drop story ideas on slips of paper into a box my dad rigged up and covered in our bright yellow kitchen wallpaper, and then he would choose who would cover what beat based on our suggestions. I would contribute stories and photographs (I had a black-and-white darkroom in the basement) ...pieces like "My Girl Scout Troop's Holiday Visit to Gertz Department Store" and "Why i Like Black and White Photos"... I knew then I wanted to be a writer/editor and work on a magazine. And I always loved taking photographs and seeing them come to life in my darkroom.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

Taking over a 60+-year-old publication and evolving it into a more modern brand with a narrower focus (wedding and portrait photography) seemed insurmountable at the time (and there were grumblings from our core audience early on), but my team and I took steps to show we weren’t trying to “fix something that wasn’t broke” but rather evolve into a magazine that was more aligned with our trade show and conference, WPPI, and with a photo genre (wedding photography  that was not being focused on in our sister pub (PDN). We’ve since added many WPPI speakers as writers who help teach our audience about lighting, business branding and marketing, technique and approach, and much more. We also had a major redesign at the beginning of 2015, headed by Luke Hayman of Pentagram Design (A top design firm in New York City) and in October we won a Folio Ozzie award for Best Redesign in the B-to-B magazine category.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

Right out of college I landed a job at Photo District News by merely answering a random newspaper ad. I was temping as a telemarketer that summer after graduation and knew I had to get serious about my career. I was 23 and stayed at PDN for the next 25 years, making my way up the editorial ladder. My next big break came about five years ago, when my parent company acquired Rangefinder Magazine and my boss, Lauren Wendle, appointed me Executive Editor to an office that operated on the West Coast (L.A.) while I remained on the East Coast (NYC). It was a huge break for me because I knew I always wanted to be the editor of a magazine one day but I never thought I was up to snuff! To have someone believe in me and take a risk on me was the best thing that could ever happen. Lauren saw something in me that I myself did not even see but it’s become a dream come true for me.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

Stila Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector, a roll of Spearmint certs, my iPhone 6 (about to be traded in for a 6s!), a leather-bound journal (which, in full disclosure, has turned into one giant but beautiful looking "To-Do” list), 6 pens, a hair clip, a bottle of Tums Smoothies, a copy of the latest Rangefinder (November's 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography issue), a stunning promo mailer from New Zealand photographer Hamish Trounson (met him at the Palm Springs Portfolio Reviews at PhotoPlus Expo in October), a turquoise Post-it pad, my phone charger, 3 sets of iPhone headphones, car keys, a Tide-to-go pen and a blush brush.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Be yourself and follow your passion, no matter who says you suck and should do something else! It sounds cliched but if I had listened to the naysayers early on, I'd probably be working a mindless 9-5 grunt job right now instead of having my dream career as an editor of a top photography magazine. It's something I envisioned early on, from my days of dropping story ideas into that wallpaper-covered box!. In high school, I had a teacher tell me I was a terrible writer and should drop the class, along with my dream of being a published writer (I've since written hundreds of articles that have been published in art and photo magazines over the years, as well as had two photography books published by a photo book imprint at Random House). There were others along the way who tried to sway me towards a different path but today I am the editor-in-chief of Rangefinder Magazine and the author of two published books. Listen to yourself. Only you knows you!

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

I hate to admit that beyond Rangefinder's PhotoForward blog, our Wedding of the Week and Photo District News' Photo of the Day I barely have time to look at much else...but I do like to follow what Huffington Post puts up in it's wedding photography section here and there, and I absolutely love Danielle Currier's blog, No Plastic Sleeves (a self-promotion guide for photographers and designers). Oh, and The New York Times' Lens photo-j blog and Alien Smithson's LENSCRATCH. I guess I do look at more than I realized!

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

To be commissioned by a publishing company to write a book on all the amazing legendary photographers I've interviewed over the past 30 years—Gordon Parks, Elliott Erwitt, Bruce Davidson, Harry Benson, Mary Ellen Mark, Albert Watson, Arnold Newman, George Tice, Joyce Tenneson, and so on. It would be "My Afternoons with Photography's Greatest Legends" or something to that effect. My anecdotes of each interview would be juxtaposed with just one image of my choosing from each legend that sums up my vision of who they really were/are.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

My father, Abraham Tobin, who passed away in 2008 right before my first book, Wedding Photography Unveiled, was published; my high School English teacher, Mr. Ouichi; my publisher, Lauren Wendle (who took a chance on me and put me in charge of Rangefinder), and my former PDN boss and current editorial director, Holly Hughes; and one of my former professors, Jane Hardy, who mentored me when I worked on my alma mater's school magazine (I graduated from Cornell in 1985)l. Jane taught me everything about magazine publishing—writing, production, design...the whole shebang!—and without that class I wouldn't be who I am/where I am today!

What would be your last supper?

A sourdough baguette, a block of Toma cheese, a jar of fig jam, some white peaches and a pale ale!

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Full Name: Jacqueline Tobin

Profession: Editor-in-Chief, Rangefinder

Industry: Wedding and Portrait Photography

Website: rangefinderonline.com

Facebook: Jacqueline Tobin (personal), Rangefinder Magazine

Instagram: instagram.com/rfwppi

Twitter: @jtobinma (personal), @rangefindermag

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jacqueline-tobin/0/547/96

Blog: blog.wppionline.com (PhotoForward blog)

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FEATURING: Josh Madson

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

The words to me bring to mind how important having my team has been. To me, community is what makes ideas become a reality and furthermore fun to achieve. I think the best way to utilize members in a creative community is to assess what you feel it is that a particular member is passionate about and have them contribute in a way that is meaningful to them. When people feel they are contributing to something that they feel is important to them they will feel fulfilled.I personally feel that most people that get into a creative field don't do it just for financial success; they would like to leave in impact on this place. You'd have to be stupid to get into the creative industries with strictly the idea of financial success in mind. I'm sure there are much easier routes for that. This is a place to try and leave your mark, to try and make a difference and to try and bring people together through community and creativity.

How did you discover your creativity?

I discovered my creativity at a very young age. I was very lucky to have parents that were in the arts and also encouraged me to be creative. I have always enjoyed using my imagination and dreaming to create something lasting.To me it just seemed to be a natural part of life. I tried for many years to do various jobs outside of the creative field just to survive. I literally could not handle my life. I was so uninspired and so bored. To me, it was much more fulfilling and invigorating to struggle to do something creative perhaps less lucrative than it was to not be creative at all. It was those experiences that helped me to discover that I was a creative person and couldn't happily exist without having some method to express it.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

The biggest challenge I've had to deal with in my career is simply just making enough money to survive while doing what I love. For quite some time I had a considerable amount of debt I acquired while attempting to build my career Los Angeles. It was really challenging. I'm not of the mindset of being too conservative. I can be very frugal but I'm definitely a risk taker. I tend to believe you have to spend money to make money. I spent many years continuing to go out, go out, go out and build community. That was not always an affordable choice. I attribute a lot of my success to the community I have built and contribute to. I have probably gotten at least 200% more work for people I trust and believe in than I have for myself. This may sound cheesy but I do believe that what goes around come around. I have tried to be as generous to my community as possible and I do believe that has come around to me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

I'm not sure what exactly my first "Big Break" would be and to be honest, I'm not clear that those entirely exist. I'm not going to say that they don't exist but I do tend to believe that a career in a creative field, my industry being photography, are very similar to a marketing campaign for a major motion picture. You have to hit it repeatedly and from many angles, over and over until someone notices. I think people respond when they see over and over in many different places and contexts that you are doing cool stuff and lots of it for various different clients. Once that is rolling that things start to happen. I think my biggest campaign so far has been for a cosmetics brands. I have some great and loyal clients in beauty that have greatly contributed and continue to contribute to my continued success. Some of my tops include Michelle Phan, Ipsy and NYX cosmetics.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

I'm writing this interview in my hotel room in NYC and therefore find it perfectly ironic to be asked and answering this question. Literally in my backpack because I didn't want to check a bag is everything I need; clothes for 3 days, my toothbrush, a good book and my camera.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Always believe in yourself and in your brand. Be prepared to work harder than you've ever expected and to continue doing that but I do believe that persistence is king in this industry. Be persistent; not annoying but persistent.

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

I absolutely love social media, especially instagram. We now have at our fingertips, literally, so much media and the ability to see what everyone is doing. Instagram for me is like a black hole of digital information. I see so much beautiful work happening on there. I can get lost in there for ages.

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

My dream assignment would be to go to some tropical islands for several months and just shoot beauty portraits of people in that environment.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

There are so many people who have been instrumental in my success. I have always thought that having mentors is so important. People who have navigated not only creative industries but also just business and entrepreneurship as well. For me one of my mentors, Robert Stephens, founder of Geek Squad, has been very supportive. Jason Bell, photographer, has also been a great mentor to me.

What would be your last supper?

My last supper would be filled with my greatest friends, many bottles of good red wine and perhaps a pizza or 2. Community is so important to me. My friends are everything to me and they have greatly contributed to my success. I would be so grateful to have a drink with them and celebrate everything that we have built.

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Full Name: Josh Madson

Profession: Photographer

Industry: Visual Content

Website: www.joshmadson.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoshMadsonPhoto

Instagram: @instajoshmadson

Twitter: @joshmadson

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FEATURING: Jonathan LeVine

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

I think of places like Portland, Oregon and Bushwick, Brooklyn where many creatives are living and collaborating in multiple different ways. I don’t know if there is a best way to utilize members of a creative community but being part of one provides its members with many opportunities and inspiration. Whatever comes naturally to each person in that community and how they want to interact with it is up to them.

How did you discover your creativity?

There isn’t a time when I can’t remember being creative. My earliest memories are of being into music and beating on chairs when I was about 5 years old. I think my mother bought me my first toy drum set when I was 6 and I have been playing ever since. I played this morning as a matter of fact.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

There are lots of challenges I have faced but I would say the biggest challenge was being 30 years old and moving back to my parents house. I worked at a bagel shop in downtown Trenton, NJ for 2 years until I opened my first gallery. That was very challenging to my self esteem and convictions.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

My biggest break was probably being able to create a website in the early 2000’s and have an international audience as a result. This allowed me to grow my business and not depend on my physical location so much.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

I don’t have one.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Be patient and persevere. If you don’t love what you do, then do something else. It’s not an easy business.

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

Arrested Motion, Juxtapoz and Hi Fructose.

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

I am doing it.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

I have had a variety of mentors from professors, who I still maintain relationships with, to artists like Ron English and art critic Carlo McCormick. Also the artists who have believed in me enough to collaborate with me. I have also had great employees who have manned my ship so to speak.

What would be your last supper?

A Naples style margarita pizza.

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Full Name: Jonathan LeVine

Profession: Gallerist

Industry: Fine Art

Website: http://jonathanlevinegallery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanLeVineGalleryNYC

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jonathanlevinegallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLeVineGallery

Blog: http://jonathanlevinegallery.com/?method=Blog.Home

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FEATURING: Korin Thorig

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

For me, my creative community is surrounding myself with people and experiences that inspire me. In a perfect scenario, when these two are combined, it's impact is sustaining. And therefore, expanding the two is the best way I found to engage the ever growing creative community. So, go see some art or sneak away into nature to get those creative good vibes flowing.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

My first big career break was in 2005. I just moved to San Francisco after nearly three years back home in San Diego working for Modern Postcard, post graduation from U.C. Santa Barbara and some work abroad. I'll never forget, that I almost did not apply for the position. But, as soon as I stepped foot in Left Space, I was determined to be apart of the very special, brand new state-of-the-art and largest photography rental studio in San Francisco. The enlarged found photos adorned the walls contrasted with modern furnishing elements and the opportunity to work for RJ Muna was certainly my first "big break". That experience laid a strong foundation to my creative network in the photography industry and I'm forever grateful for their belief in me.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Be kind, be genuine, always be professional, treat people with respect, and lose your ego.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

I'm thankful to have many mentors that have lead me along my path. They range from former Managers to friendships formed in the business, to my family and friends.

What would be your last supper?

How about favorite quotes instead?

"Feel Your Way"

"No Guts, No Glory"

"Just Do It"

"Good Vibes Only"

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Full Name: Korin Thorig

Profession: Director, Content Production

Industry: Photography

Instagram: @korinthorig

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/korinthorig

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FEATURING: Samantha Lim

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

"Creative Community" is industry code for "people who think up their best ideas while drunk". A CC should be a safe play space where like minded kooks can get together, drink, smoke, dance, and make cool shit and organize it in a way that it trickles down into the masses and makes our world a more beautiful, inspiring place.

How did you discover your creativity?

By discovering I was really bad at math and science.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

My first big break was literally a break: I got fired. I had been working at a fashion investment firm, assessing brands and assisting with projects. I had started a blog on the side to make it look like I was putting in as many hours as my boss. My blog was a secretly written, daily account of things I was seeing, learning, and working on in the world of investing in luxury brands (think: setting up breakfast meetings with Middle Eastern royalty, listening to pitches by Vera Wang, reading dramatic faxes from Oscar de la Renta). I had blogged a very specific story about a very specific Fashion Director making an inappropriate joke with a very specific Olsen twin, which eventually got back to me and I was put on probation. Probation at the time was torturous, I mean, it made The Devil Wears Prada look like a fucking quinceanera. It lasted about 10 days before my boss decided he just couldn't trust me with his secrets (rightfully so, I guess) and he kicked me to the Park Avenue curb. However, the amazing part to all this was that my blog was discovered by the ceo of a small fashion media company, who shortly after offered me the job as their style editor. I learned everything about editing, reporting, art direction, and social media from first hand experience. There was no guide book, there were no rules yet -- it was jump in and go. The break changed the trajectory of my entire career, all the way to where I am today.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

I actually gave up carrying bags (though I have some great ones). I just use my pockets to carry a chapstick, cellphone and headphones, and a tiny cardholder with my ID and credit card.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Always say "yes" and be resourceful as fuck. Never ask questions you could otherwise Google. Take every opportunity that inspires you, even if you have no clue how to get it done, then put your feet on the ground and figure it out. We are the first group of adults to have the advantage of learning everything on the internet -- if you don't use it to completely lifehack your career, you're a shame to your generation.

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

Removing myself from my daily surroundings inspires me the most. Going upstate into the woods, staring into the ocean, or even just going to a new place I haven't been before lets me unplug, reset, and takes away all distractions so I can just let open thoughts flood in. I also love reading (reading = listening to audiobooks) biographies and memoirs, finding out how other successful people have made their way, and what great tidbits they can share with me.

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

Build an awesomely fun, memorable experience for 500 of your closest friends. You can have as much money as you want. Drake wants to be involved, but he's understands if you don't think he's the right fit.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

My parents, who remain blissfully ignorant of what I actually do (besides bring home free product samples for Christmas), and keep me humble and gracious in an industry where people tend to get on their high horse; My boyfriend who always expects that I try harder, work smarter, and always push for more; My best girl friend who lives in London, for being my biggest cheerleader during good times, and who is always ready to quit her job and start a new business with me during bad times.

What would be your last supper?

French fries, burger, ice cream... no wait, tacos, queso, tequila... no wait, pizza. No wait -- chicken nugget Happy Meal, McDonalds...

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Full Name: Samantha Lim

Profession: Creative Projects Director, StyleCaster

Industry: Fashion Media

Website: www.stylecaster.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slim.profile

Instagram: instagram.com/iamsamlim

Twitter: twitter.com/iamsamlim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/samantha-lim/10/551/962

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FEATURING: David Chai

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

Animation, by nature, requires working within a community of diverse, creative individuals; so I'm pretty used to working like that. But recently at my university, I've had the chance to work on a project called The Green Ninja Show; a series of quirky, fun videos aimed at teaching young people about climate science and protecting the environment. Each episode has associated teaching resources for the classroom and is hosted by The Green Ninja - the climate action superhero. In doing so, I've had the opportunity to branch well out of my "regular" creative animation community, and work with creatives from education, theater, film, and science; it's something I've found to be very refreshing and enlightening. So I feel the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community is to never limit oneself to a specific group, but rather to look for opportunities to collaborate with folks in fields one may have never considered.

How did you discover your creativity?

My father is a Korean, retired Electric Engineer. So many people find it surprising that he has never tried to get me to go into a similar field. Instead, he always wanted me to become a cartoon strip artist; probably one of the most financially risky fields to pursue. This is because he says, I was drawing since birth and he saw it as my calling. I think I discovered my creativity because fortunately, I was allowed to. My parents saw some potential, and supported and encouraged me all the way. This is why I am who I am today, and why they have twenty boxes of my comic books still in one of their closets.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

Being a long-time nudist, I found it unbearable to be encased all day long in the shackles of society's insecurity - clothing. I solved this however by investing in a Turkish, inflatable full body undergarment that prevents my clothing from ever touching my skin. While my employers think I am going through the day business casual, I am free as the naked Turkish eagle.

Just kidding, I didn't really have a good story.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

A sketchbook, pencil, pencil sharpener, empty reusable water bottle, and small tobacco crumbs from a Cuban Cigar.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Get up, set up, and never let up!

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

I love film festivals. My favorite one in the whole world for inspiration is the Ottawa International Animation Festival, which I attend every year. Not only does it showcase an unbelievable variety of the latest in animation, but you are surrounded by like-minded people all week; directors, animators, students, lovers of film and animation. It's like when Neo plugged into the training program in The Matrix. We hit the theater seats, connect, and fill our brains all day long. I leave that festival ready to save the world, and usually with a pretty severe hangover.

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

So far, I have only been able to produce animated short films and projects. I would love to have the support and resources to be able to direct and produce a feature length film. The screenplay is sitting on my shelf, waiting for the lottery ticket to hit!

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

While I couldn't have done anything without the support and guidance of my wife, parents, and professors, I have to give the credit to everyone who has ever worked on my films. With the exception of sponsored projects, the majority of my films are self-financed, and the crews are mostly volunteers. These folks have trusted my projects enough to invest weeks working on them, selflessly and passionately. I'd still be working on the first one if it wasn't for them!

What would be your last supper?

This might not work, but it's my last damn supper for Christ's sake. I would take a broccoli & spinach Chicago style deep dish pizza, smother it with macaroni & cheese, cover that with coleslaw, and top it off with a bean & rice burrito. I'd wash it down with a growler of Mac and Jack's African Amber from Redmond, WA, and probably be dead a quarter of the way through!

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Full Name: David Chai

Profession: Animation Educator / Independent Animation Director

Industry: Education / Animation

Website: www.houseofchai.net

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FEATURING: William and Susan Brinson

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

We have a group of creative friends we lean on. We bounce ideas off each other and talk about the future of photography, advertising and social media a lot. We could talk for hours about Instagram! We're into what's next and always into what's innovative. The photography industry is changing as a whole and we often discuss where it will be in 5, or 10 years. I think it's great to have people who understand where you are at and will toss ideas with you for hours.

How did you discover your creativity?

We've always been creative together. In high school we'd hang out in Mrs. Spindler's photography class. Printing teen angst style images in the dark room. At the time I was more interested in painting and graphic design, while William went on to pursue a career in photography. We've always liked making things and solving visual problems to create beauty.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

Partnering as a team for sure. It was such a natural thing for us, we didn't think it was a big deal. I had a conventional career in advertising as a design director. I love design and advertising, but I wasn't 'making' anything. I was putting out fires and managing people, but I wasn't being creative. About 5 years ago we decided to start a blog together called House of Brinson. Often Will would come home from a shoot and we'd shoot for a few hours for our blog. We worked nights and weekends on working together. We started to plan my exit from the advertising industry, and we began working as a photography team professionally. We solved any transition issues by learning how to talk about how we work together, and meeting people in person. We still get that question 'who pushes the camera button?' Does anyone ask Daft Punk who does what? No!

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

We'd love to photograph a campaign and I mean the WHOLE campaign. The advertising, social and content. We love shooting for different types of media but often times the teams who manage those divisions of companies or agencies are separate. For instance the social team is separate from the advertising team. We'd love to work on a project where we shoot imagery for the client as a whole, and understand the different usages. We love seeing how people are engaging with content and imagery, so it would be a great photography project.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

Our agent Elyse Connolly and the team at the agency. We are creative people and she motivates us and has a great business sense. I love it when she tells us to look at things 'soberly'. She's probably right. I'm part of a mastermind group too, which is focused on small, creative businesses. This group is great because you can't sit and get stale, you have to keep moving forward.

What would be your last supper?

SUSAN: Chocolate cake. My homemade version. No store bought here. I don't understand people who buy boxed cake mixes.

WILLIAM: Susan's homemade fried chicken and biscuit sandwich, with hot sauce and honey. Must be Cholula Hot Sauce.

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Full Name: William and Susan Brinson

Profession: Commercial Photographers

Industry: Photography

Website: williamandsusanbrinson.com

Instagram: @houseofbrinson

Twitter: @houseofbrinson

Blog: houseofbrinson.com

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FEATURING: Farimah Milani

Having been ADHESIVE&CO’s first client, we know firsthand that you have worked on optimizing your marketing platforms. How do you feel your virtual identity is important in capturing new business?

Our industry has changed a great deal since I have been in business. I feel my virtual identity is very important in communicating with clients and creatives. Working with AD&CO was insightful in seeing the ways to utilize the different social media channels. They helped me analyze how I was currently using those channels and how I could optimize them without much more of a time commitment from my staff. Check us out and see what FM&A has been up to on Instagram: www.instagram.com/farimahmilani and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/farimahmilani.

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How are you looking for new talent?

I look for new talent via word-of-mouth, which works great, photographers who reach out, and looking through great editorials, etc. I am always looking for new talent! Interested talent should send us an email: hello@farimahmilani.com

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

My daily journal which I have started since I was 15 years old! Also my wallet, sunglasses, iPhone and makeup bag consisting of lip gloss, face powder, a small hand cream and floss. Plus a bunch of envelopes that I need to drop in the mailbox!

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

Getting back in the game in the year 2005 after an extended break and building my business from scratch again! I was persistent, patient and fearless at times.

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

Breaking into the cosmetic world and finding my niche.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

First work for a big agency as an intern, be as social as possible. Also be nice to everyone, especially the assistants, you will be surprised where they end up!

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

My colleagues who have helped me by letting me vent; my clients have helped to understand them; and my photographers have helped me to become a great therapist to them!

What would be your last supper?

Meal??? I want good wine!!!

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CHECK OUT ADHESIVE&CO's COLLABORATION WITH FARIMAH AT HELLOADHESIVE.COM/WORK#/FARIMAH-MILANI

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Full Name: Farimah Milani

Profession: Artists’ Rep

Industry: Photography / Advertising

Website: www.farimahmilani.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farimahmilani

Instagram: https://instagram.com/farimahmilani

Twitter: twitter.com/farimahmilani

Tumblr: http://farimahmilani.tumblr.com

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FEATURING: Omar Rada

What do the words "Creative Community" bring to mind for you? How do you feel is the best way to utilize members in a Creative Community?

A group of individuals who believe in and are passionate about what can be, not what is.

How did you discover your creativity?

By being around tremendously more creative and more talented people than myself. I am lucky to know an amazing group of people, most of whom are members of the ADHESIVE family.

Name the biggest challenge you have had in your career to date. How did you solve it?

Figuring out what I want to do with my life. Solve? What do you mean solve?

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

Having an incredible first day on Kickstarter for the Misen Chef's Knife. I am still tingling.

What's in your backpack/handbag/tote right now?

Fun question :) Macbook Air / Sony Nex-6 Camera / Muji Notebook & Pens / Broken Sunglasses / Knife Roll with our Misen Chef's Knife

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

March to your own beat, follow your own path, but know that you cannot succeed alone. Never underestimate people's willingness to help. Just give them the chance.

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

Early morning or late night runs across any bridge in NYC. The skyline has never ceased to amaze me.

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

Doing what I am doing right now: creating the future of kitchenware.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

My wife, Gretchen. She has given me a "long leash" to pursue various creative projects, and I am eternally grateful for that. I also have an incredibly talented group of friends

What would be your last supper?

I CANNOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION. IT'S TOO HARD.

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Full Name: Omar Rada

Profession: Founder @ Misen

Industry: Kitchenware

Website: www.misen.co

Facebook: facebook.com/misenkitchen

Instagram: https://instagram.com/misenkitchen/

Twitter: twitter.com/misenkitchen

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FEATURING: Sam Comen

How did you discover your creativity?

I think it might have started as an innate compulsion. As a tiny little kid I remember obsessing over collages made from cut-up magazines and drawing fastidious little patterns and tessellations with ink on paper. My folks encouraged me, and enrolled me in art classes at the LA Municipal Art Gallery, which I lived for. Even though my memory of those times (I think I was 7-years-old when I started there) is hazy, I think I discovered self-discipline, self-love, and the art of the happy accident in those art classes! In high school I drifted away from the arts as my main focus, instead diving-into academics, with a particular interest in current world events, punk rock, political history, and social movements. So, in my first year of college, I was fortunate to find my way to the community of student journalists who put out *The Daily Northwestern* every morning. Shooting as a photojournalist for *The Daily* gave me the chance to bring the creative and intellectual sides of my life together. I felt lucky I found it. I still feel lucky. Working there I learned how to shoot film, learned the darkroom, and learned digital workflow. As I worked on the basics, I dove headfirst into studying documentary and portrait photography. Walker Evans and Diane Arbus were my heroes. For me, documentary photography was the perfect unification of my love for art-making and my interest in politics and history and people. My time in college propelled me right into the professional photo world as a 21-year-old graduate, and I haven’t looked back since!

What was your first “Big Break” in your profession?

In my early 20s, while I was working as a PA and then interning for Herb Ritts and Peggy Sirota, the assistants around me told me how to get editorial work by heading to New York and showing my work to photo editors. Once I had a portfolio of portraits printed and bound, I spent a week in a Barnes & Noble furtively copying photo editors’ names and phone numbers out of the mastheads of the magazines I loved. I was motivated, but still somewhat oblivious: Chris McPherson, who I also was assisting, let me know I needed to make a leave-behind card with my contact information. I had no idea. And I was without the infrastructure I needed: Patricia De La Rosa brought her Epson printer to my apartment and designed and printed those leave-behinds for me. It was incredible: I felt like I was part of a team, with so many talented and generous people all pumping-in energy to help me launch. I still think of that formative time often. Then I flew to NYC and started making calls. It felt like the big break when editors took my calls and invited me in. Tim Hemmeter at *Interview* blew me away when he showed interest in my work — his positive feedback gave me the mettle to keep cold-calling editors I’d never talked to before. But it was Michelle Egiziano, who was editing at *ELLEgirl* at the time, who truly gave me my first break. She sent me out to the streets of LA to cast and shoot guys for a back-of-the-book Q&A feature for the young women’s magazine. That assignment continued monthly for nearly two years — I cut my teeth on that project, working collaboratively with Michelle, pitching new variations of the idea, and shooting, editing, and submitting on deadline. I often think of the note Michelle sent me after reviewing the contact sheets from my first shoot: she wrote “We love what you do!” That sentiment reminds me to just do what I do, treat people with love, and keep on the path.

Do you have any advice for someone starting out in your creative profession?

Totally! Once you’ve started shooting and as you start refining and editing your book, ask yourself what you’d like to contribute to society. Maybe even what you want to leave behind once you’re gone. The answer may not be clear, but think on that, stab toward it, and put in the work toward defining your contribution. Working toward that will likely keep you on a productive path. Also, bring a great attitude, treat all those you shoot and work with with the utmost kindness, be open to constant hustle, and and an ever-changing business landscape. And when you see me sometime down the road, remind me of everything I just advised here in fall 2015.

What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

The history of photography is brief enough that I feel like if I put my mind to it, I can come to be acquainted with many of the important contributors to the canon and their seminal works. What’s come before has been my greatest source of inspiration. And photography books are the way I like to invest in that history — I deeply appreciate the way they encapsulate a body of work, give a hint into the artist’s mind at the time, and the milleu of the time in which the work was produced. So I’m always on the lookout for photo books. For me, second hand is best. The Last Bookstore in Downtown LA has great finds, and Skylight Books in Los Feliz’s art annex is constantly full of treasures, and a short walk from my home. The LA Art Book Fair has proven dangerous to my pocketbook in the past, as have the Artbook DAP sample sales, Photo LA, and Paris Photo LA! Online I love American Suburb X for a massive archive of criticism and links to work. Tumblr hashtag searches are the best! And following my peers and the greats on Instagram is always inspiring, and easily accessible: I love @stephen.shore (Stephen Shore,) @geveeve (Genevieve Dellinger,) @thisisnow_here (TJ Tambellini,) and @ryanschude (Ryan Schude.)

What would be your DREAM ASSIGNMENT?

I’d love to work with a news-oriented national magazine to shoot a months-long journalistic portrait project focusing on a community that’s grappling with a social issue that’s vital both to its survival and which also has implications for society as a whole. My hope is that photojournalistic work like this will contribute to tolerance, understanding, and inclusivity between disparate communities of people.

Who are the people that have been instrumental in your success as a creative professional?

Glad you asked! Every day I feel fortunate to have so many people who have helped me focus my photographic stance and achieve my professional goals. To name just a few: Maren Levinson, Amelia Hennighausen, Rebecca Horne, Frank Parvis, Laura Pressley, Debra Klomp Ching, Colleen Vreeland, William Nabers, Ann Jastrab, Cat Jimenez, Eve Schillo, Paul Kopeikin, Kate Osba, Jason Neville, and Jeanne Graves. I’m grateful for this creative community!

What would be your last supper?

How about an omakase sushi dinner presented by an expert chef accompanied by icy beer eaten while engaged in playful conversation amongst my loved ones. That sounds just about perfect!

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MEET SAM, OUR ADHESIVE EVENT PARTNER AT OUR FIRST-EVER #ADHESIVELA POP-UP EVENT this coming Tuesday, September 22 at The Monty, 1222 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA from 6:30 pm - ???

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Full Name: Sam Comen

Profession: Photographer

Industry: Advertising / Editorial / Documentary

Website: samcomen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sam-Comen-Photography-238364476209732/timeline/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/samcomen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samcomen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sam-comen/4/35a/92a

Blog: samcomen.tumblr.com

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Please contact member directly for information about production, permission and usage. 
All images are copyrighted.

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