Wednesday 20 July 2011

My Life As A Freelancer

Nearly 3mths as a 'freelancer' now, and a heady whirl it's been!
A steady routine is finally forming and it feels like exciting times ahead. So for all you lovely folk who've asked what my new life consists of; here goes . . .

I've 3 main client groups at the moment.

1 - Companies within AdLand that I consult with, shake up a bit and work to bring in more business for. These tend to be long term arrangements where I come by a day or so a week.
At the moment I have the great pleasure of working with my chums at Retouching House Stanley's Post & Photo Agent/Producer/Top Bloke Jamie Stephen.

2 - One to One consulting sessions for un-repped photographers. We chat about portfolio direction, website structure, client groups to focus on, personal projects. It's a bit like creative therapy with a kick up the bum for good measure.

3 - Random helping hand projects. These can involve anything from putting together an exhibition, launching a book, lecturing at Art Colleges. Or in the case of a current project, lending a hand to the team at Creative Review to add an interesting creative dimension to the #crtateup (you'll have to come to the event tomorrow at Tate Britain to find out what this is, or wait till I blog about it)


So there you have it. I still think Creative Multi-tasker covers it best :)

Email me at emmataylorlondon@gmail.com if you have need of my services.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

CAMARAderie

Camaraderie; one of the things I'm loving most about my new freelance existence.

At present I'm working with a retouching company, an agent, a gaggle of photographers and a magazine. I've been careful to avoid conflict amongst my clients, in fact I'm keen to find links between them all and seek out ways they can help each other. Because, you know what, I think this creative industry of ours is at its most inspiring when it pulls together.

Partnership across disciplines isn't anything new. We're used to the Photographer/Stylist/Casting Agent dynamic, Film Directors working with Composers and of course where would a Copywriter be without their Art Director?

But what I sometimes think we forget is how exciting it can be to challenge the usual collaborations and how important it is to even view them as collaborations in the first place. We label Colleagues as Suppliers, we get used to working with them in a certain way and I think we could all do with throwing ourselves a few curve balls.

Emily & Robs beautiful piece
Take Emily Peacock and Rob Ryan. Emily, a wonderfully talented tapestry artist, contacted Rob after falling in love with his work. They worked together to produce this beautiful cushion kit, Rob on the case with the design and Emily supplying the technical wooly magic.

I asked Emily how she found working with the Ryantown gang . . . "They always have time for you and are very upbeat... and sort of loving! I was so in awe of the whole set and it was fun to be there and act weird around them"

Sounds good doesn't it?

So your homework, if you choose to accept it, look through your database/list of mates on twitter/facebook chums etc. and randomly invite a couple of them for coffee in a couple of weeks time.
While you wait for the day to creep up, tear out inspiring newspaper articles, photograph something that makes you smile or makes you stop & think. It could be a bit of brickwork you love the texture of, a conversation you hear on a train, ANYTHING!
Suggest your meet-up mate does the same & hey presto! You've the start of a random project, hopefully a fun one, hopefully one that will fire up your imagination and at the very least gets you discussing creative loveliness.

Heck you could even make your meet-up place Tate Britain next Thursday as part of Creative Reviews TWEET UP. I'll be running a bit of creative fun on the night, so sign up & come say hello.