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Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women who are cultivating collective spaces across creative industries. Next up is DonYé Taylor—marketing consultant, digital creator, and creative philosopher.

Taylor is synonymous with authenticity, known for her docu-style approach to content. Her personal motto of “turning my life into style, and my passion into paychecks,” explains it all! Her monthly newsletter “To Whom It May Concern” provides creators with resources and motivation to help them thrive within their digital ecosystems. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2022, Taylor’s content breaks down pop culture’s biggest campaigns and social strategies to empower her audience with insights into how to leverage forward-thinking marketing tactics to boost revenue and drive growth. She runs her consulting agency like an underground digital speakeasy, taking on select clients through referrals only. Current clients include Grammy-nominated recording artist Tamar Braxton and media powerhouse Amazon Prime.

In addition to creating content as a lifestyle influencer, Taylor works behind the scenes as a consultant for Topicals, and in front of the camera as well—as seen in their interviews for ComplexCon.

You can check out more of DonYé Taylor’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet marketing consultant, digital creator, and creative philosopher, DonYé Taylor.

What is the first creative project you remember?

The first creative project that I remember vividly wasn’t my first one, but it was the first one that I remember. It was for a logo design that I did for my friend Paris—a cherry logo that I did in 2016. The reason I remember the logo is because she still uses it today, not because of the money that she paid me to do it. I think that speaks to the power of timeless design and how I was able to design from a timeless perspective, even when I first started. It also speaks to my growth as a creative, because I used to be someone who did only graphic design projects, but now I do way more on the creative consulting side of things.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Timeless. Eclectic. Passionate.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

I think the most fulfilling collaboration that I’ve worked on to date was leading strategy and designing the first iteration of the Trayvon Martin non-profit website, back in 2017. That collaboration was the first time I felt like my creativity was used for something GOOD, like actually good. At that time the social climate was very heavy, so to put my creativity to use in that way as a Black woman—whether it’s collaborating on something to spread a meaningful message like Trayvon’s website or promoting a brand that dedicates itself to embracing Black beauty—it’s important that I align myself with projects that are purposeful to me.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I think everyone has creativity born within them. I believe your ability to create is directly linked to what it is that you’re passionate about. Creativity is just a passion in physical art form. I think the problem is that so many people live their lives not knowing what it is that they are passionate about. Once someone is able to pinpoint their passion, creativity will show up in a lot of what they do in their day-to-day life.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

I wish I knew that nothing is off limits and that anything is possible way sooner.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

By making them feel good. About everything. I shifted to being a little bit pickier with who I take on as clients so that I can have more time to build personal relationships with them. I help all of my clients unlock what I call a “Level 2” mindset by bringing them along with me on the creative process through education—helping them to re-wire their brains. I look at the work that we do as a creative collaboration, so I want them to feel confident in the work that is being done. Building an environment that encompasses my team and helps my clients feel confident in their creativity is really important to me. That goes a long way with them!

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I hope that people write something along the lines of this :

“DonYé’s work and approach to creativity make anyone (creative or not) think outside the box, and look at the world differently. Her ability to synthesize, connect, and dissect art in a way that is easily digestible adds color to the world and puts creatives on a pedestal that allows them to be respected in a way that they never were before. She constantly gave people a look into her mind as a creative and used everything around her as inspiration in order to inspire others.”

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Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women who are cultivating collective spaces across creative industries. Meet Chela Mitchell—founder and director of Chela Mitchell Gallery.

Recognized as a voice for change in the art world, Mitchell is dedicated to the equity of artists and art professionals. She’s worked with institutions, corporations, and art collectors to inform their acquisitions in emerging, mid-career, and established markets. In addition to founding the Chela Mitchell Gallery, a contemporary space rooted in cultivating and amplifying unique voices in fine art and design, Mitchell serves as an art advisor helping collectors to build diverse collections.

Having grown up in a Black neighborhood in the Southeast corridor of Washington, D.C., Mitchell credits the city for her appetite for art and culture. Before devoting herself full-time to the art world, Chela worked as a fashion stylist at Net-a-Porter, Barneys New York, Intermix, and Vogue Japan. She has been featured in Cultured Magazine, Architectural Digest, Forbes, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, ArtNews, Artnet News, NR Magazine, and 10 Magazine. Mitchell’s work has also inspired the creation of Komuna, a global arts club hosting private exhibition tours and talks focusing on artists and patrons of color. They’ll soon be opening their membership again for 2023!

You can check out more of Chela Mitchell’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet art advisor and gallerist, Chela Mitchell

What is the first creative project you remember?

I remember making papier-mâché molds of our faces in my elementary school art class. I don’t recall which grade, but I remember it being a process. After the molds were formed, we had to let them dry and return the following week to paint them. I always got sad when the class ended.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Futuristic. Experimental. Dreamy.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

My daughter is hands down my most significant collaboration of all time, space, and lifetimes. Professionally, I loved art directing with Meek Mill, his team, and artist/photographer Nate Palmer to create imagery surrounding his ‘Expensive Pain’ project. It was extraordinary to watch someone who grew up from similar origins as myself who was daring enough to try something new. His vulnerability allowed us to capture something, unlike anything he had done before. Nate Palmer is uber-talented and young – I think fresh perspectives are essential for us to see the full spectrum of what art can be.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

This is a great question—nature vs. nurture. I think you’re born with creativity. You’ll be attracted to what will advance your life’s purpose.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

I wish I knew how to distinguish the difference between a colleague and a friend. I have it down now, but setting the boundaries is essential.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

I’m not transactional with my clients. Collectors can sense when you’re passionate about what you’re doing. It’s not something that you can pretend. I relish spending time and learning about their life outside of collecting. I go above and beyond to ensure that they have the best experience.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I’m grateful to be alive to witness some of what I’d like to be written. Recently, someone said that I’m a champion for artists – what an honor! I won’t be alive 100 years from now, but I hope that whatever they say about my work is fascinating. I’d hate to be a bore.

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Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women who are cultivating collective spaces across creative industries. Women like Sylvia Zakhary; a creative entrepreneur, film producer, and founder/CEO of the Mamag Group—an award-winning entertainment company focused on global story-telling across film, tv, advertising, and more.

Sylvia Zakhary is Egyptian-American, born in New York City and raised throughout East Africa & the Middle East. Zakhary’s body of work, shaped by her upbringing, focuses on cultural authenticity and the advocacy of artistic freedom. In 2016, she founded the Mamag Group on this principle, seeking to bridge the gap between culture and commerce—challenging the status quo and building brands that champion representation. By 2019, Zakhary was listed as one of the Top Ten Storytellers to Watch by Variety, and Mamag was awarded the 4th Fastest Growing Agency Worldwide by Adweek.

Zakhary has collaborated with Julia Roberts, Cardi B, Alicia Keys, Ethan Hawke, Kali Uchis, Swizz Beatz, and more. A few recent credits include producing the 2021 NAACP Award-winning BLACK IS KING by Beyoncé, directing the WNBA 2022 Global Campaign, and creative-directing the 2022 Alicia + Keys World Tour. Her latest endeavor, the Storyhouse Foundation, is a global community & member-based platform dedicated to connecting artists, creatives & thought-leaders through space, experience, and culture. Zakhary opened the first 10,000-sq-ft Storyhouse in Los Angeles hosting dozens of cultural events, foreign film screenings, curated dinners, and even a “Laughing Meditation Session led by Donald Glover.”

You can check out more of Sylvia Zakhary’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet creative entrepreneur, Sylvia Zakhary.

What is the first creative project you remember?

My earliest creative “project” was hiding in the closet as a small child and drawing all over the walls…something my mother disdained, but never discouraged. I’m grateful for this. 🙂

But, if we are speaking professionally, I’d have to say it was being Franco Lacosta’s creative assistant on the first season of a show called Model Latina way back in the early 2000s! Wow, time has flown by but representation has remained a constant in my life.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Vibrant. Global. Elegance.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Creative Directing Alicia Keys’ performance for the Queen’s Jubilee in London last summer. There was something about that moment that simply unlocked a core memory for us all.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I wholeheartedly know “creativity” is something you are born with, and I also believe “creativity” is something we all have access to when we allow it to find us.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

Trust the process. Every experience, every victory, every lesson was designed and written for your path.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

By listening intently and remaining refreshingly honest in collaboration.

Sylvia & husband/creative partner, Sing J. Lee

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I pray the spaces I create through Storyhouse are still in existence and that a whole new generation is working diligently inside, to push the work further, in ways we could have never imagined.

Follow @sylvia.zakhary on Creatively.

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

This Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting remarkable women who are cultivating collective spaces across creative industries. Kicking us off is Jen V. Benitez, a California-based creative entrepreneur, energy healer, arts educator, and founder of PINAYSPHERE—a non-profit organization for Filipina-American youth artists.

Benitez was born into a family of healers. This inherited ancestral knowledge guides and informs her work as an advocate for women’s health and sisterhood through artistic exploration and community.

PINAYSPHERE embodies this by providing opportunities for Filipina/x girls and young adults (Pinay) to pursue their creative talents through mentorship, art programs, and exhibitions. Benitez also facilitates children’s and women’s healing circles. In 2019, she founded UMAKYAT, an ancestral healing program for those in the diaspora.

You can check out more of PINAYSPHERE’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet Jen Benitez, founder of PINAYSPHERE.

What is the first creative project you remember?

‘Seeds of Change’ Fashion Show with my bestie in 2004. We both were fresh out of FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) and I wanted to put together a kids’ fashion show. It was a fun experience, but yea, kids + stage + instructions is a great idea only if you’re a fairy godmother with a wand. It was a hot mess! But I have to say, it was a great learning experience. It gave me confidence in being a leader, an artist, and a community organizer.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Comfort, tomboy, feminine.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Co-creating 2 beautiful children with Jeremy, my husband & love of my life—yet still figuring out how to work full-time schedules, find our sanity, and be decent parents!

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

Both. You can learn through a variety of processes or it can be in your DNA; such as being birthed by artists.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

Protect your ideas & make investing in yourself the priority.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

Human Connection vs. Human Transaction. Don’t give so you can take, basically.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

“Jen taught us the key to a happy life is from napping more and planning less.”

Follow @PINAYSPHERE on Creatively.

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life

Throughout Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives whose influential work is leading the way across creative industries. Enter: Kendall Reynolds, a footwear designer who sees shoes as a form of communication, representing a woman’s dreams and emotions.

According to Reynolds, the right pair of shoes can be transformative, “lending a woman individuality and changing her character, attitude and bearing as she walks.” At just 28, the Chicago native has always had an intuitive affinity for superb craftsmanship even before she could articulate the concepts. To hone her design skills, Reynolds attended Ars Sutoria in Milan, the world-renowned shoe and bag design university. There, she had intensive training in all technical aspects of shoe development from design to construction.

In 2015, Reynolds started her brand, Kendall Miles Designs, while she was still a senior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, combining avant-garde construction methods with classic designs. After three collection cycles, Kendall and her team decided to commit to a direct-to-consumer business model that allows for season-less, limited-edition drops—all while maintaining true couture standards.

Handmade in Italy, all of Kendall Miles’ creations are hand-sketched by Reynolds herself. Viewed as works of art in their own right rather than mere accessories, Kendall Miles footwear has been spotted on runways, style stars, and icons like Ava DuVernay, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Ravyn Lenae, and Lizzo.

You can check out more of Kendall Reynolds’ work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet footwear designer, Kendall Reynolds

1. What is the first creative project you remember?

The first big creative project I remember doing was in middle school when I was twelve. I was interested in modeling, so I wanted to make myself a comp card. I styled myself and did my hair—it was a full-day shoot—I had a bunch of different looks.

2. Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Classy, feminine, and edgy. A friend of mine recently described my style as “business kitty.” That feels pretty accurate.

3. What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

In 2022, I collaborated with my younger brother Miles on a sneaker. The Kendall Miles brand bares both of our names, but the ‘Miles Sneaker’ was our first men’s release and one of the most successful drops we’ve ever had. It really meant a lot to collaborate with him.

4. Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

I think creativity is something you’re born with, and I think everyone is born with it!

5. What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

It’s not always about one big win or one particular instance that changes your trajectory. It’s about all the little wins that accumulate along the way.

6. How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

For me, it’s really just about being transparent and an authentic person. Because I’m so forward-facing in my business, all I can really do is sell people on my personality—my perspective, my story, my vision. So, I just stay as true to myself as possible, and cultivate relationships organically.

7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I hope to be known as somewhat of a pioneer. When I go to Italy, and I’m working with my factories—and there are Gucci, Prada, Valentino shoes coming down the line, and then I see Kendall Miles coming down the line—knowing that, I’m the first Black-owned brand that they’ve ever worked with, I feel like I am representing for my community.

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Happy New York Fashion Week! Throughout Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives and their influential work, leading the way across creative industries. Jacques Agbobly is another inspiring example, providing a deeply personal, hands-on approach to design.

The 2022 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist came to Chicago as a nine-year-old refugee from Togo. Their creative work explores the duality of their identity—negotiating African culture and assimilated American culture—through their unique textile designs. Agbobly graduated with a BFA from Parsons School of Design, and received a CFDA Scholarship in 2019. With Covid forcing the industry to recalibrate in 2020, Agbobly took a step back from fashion to reflect on the kind of designs they really wanted to create: clothing that created connections and sparked joy.

Their now eponymous brand, Agbobly [formerly Black Boy Knits] is wonderfully expansive in its approach as an independent design studio creating unique, colorful knitwear pieces on a made-to-order basis, eliminating the possibility of excess in production. Each product is made in-house, by hand, using natural fibers that are biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Agbobly makes a point to emphasize Black, queer, size inclusive, and immigrant narratives in its visual identity and marketing approach. “Clothes in western worlds are often not made for us. When only given the option to shift between small, medium, and large, we often find ourselves reading between the lines trying to find meaning.”

You can check out more of Jacques Agbobly’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

1. What is the first creative project you remember?

Growing up in Togo, I spent a lot of time with my mom and her sisters in hair shops, while they braided hair. When I would visit my grandmother, I would convince her to buy me Barbie dolls and I spent a lot of time styling their hair and customizing their outfits.

2. Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Color, maximal, and bold.

3. What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

The one I am currently working on for NYFW in September that I am not a liberty to discuss at the moment.

4. Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

I think it can be both. It’s something you naturally have, but with a nurturing environment you can mold and fine tune.

5. What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

To not second guess anything – it’s okay to make mistakes and commit boldly to my creative and business decisions. Certain things may not make sense in the beginning, but with consistency, there will be light.

6. How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

When I started my business, I was focused on custom made clothing, so I was really working with clients on an individual basis and getting to learn about their likes and dislikes when it came to what they want to put on their bodies.

Capsule 001

7. One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

My goal is to diversify the conversation around the work that comes from African Designers. There’s so much depth within our stories and I hope that 100 years from now people will be writing about that.

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This Black History Month, we’re championing extraordinary Black creatives and their influential work, leading the way across creative industries. Brand strategist William “VJ” White is an excellent example.

With over a decade’s worth of experience within the music marketing space, the Los Angeles-based marketer began his career as a Business Marketing student at Temple University hosting events for student communities, revealing his inner passion for grassroots marketing, brand development, and experiential marketing. After college, he joined the Cricket Wireless marketing team in launching Muve Music, the first mobile music streaming platform. For the 2011 launch, he enlisted three DMV native Grammy-nominated artists—Mya, Wale, and Raheem DeVaughn—to perform intimate shows at store locations throughout the region.

In 2016, he took his talents to Warner Music Group, working across music merchandise production and product management. With his deep connection to the industry, he also added artist manager to his resume, working with independent recording artists like Kari Faux, under his own agency W SQD. Recent stand-out projects include the Rico Nasty X Rhymezlikedimez collectible, Burna Boy’s April 2022 Madison Square Garden concert merch, and Lizzo’s “The Special Tour” merch collection. In 2023, VJ became the Director of Fan Strategy and Experiences at SCP.

VJ’s career is one that emphasizes the importance of elevating a new generation of Black creators in the music industry. He is an avid supporter of the Quinn Coleman Scholarship. Created in memory of his dear friend and colleague, in partnership with the GRAMMY Museum, the financial scholarship and career development program is designed to support and uplift college students on a music career path. Learn more here.

You can check out more of White’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet brand strategist, William “VJ” White

What is the first creative project you remember?

The very first creative project I remember had to be in middle school, entering public school art competitions. I was recognized for a couple in DC: a pastel duck stamp competition and the Future of Metro DC Transit competition.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Abstract, timeless, eye-catching. (Three and a half words!)

Curtis Mayfield blanket

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

My most fulfilling collaboration was with Rico Nasty x Rhymezlikedimez x ToyQube. As a fan of pop art, having the opportunity to create an actual vinyl figure was a dream come true!

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

Working on merch for a global artist like Lizzo really tested my cross-functional skills to communicate effectively and consider a room full of opinions while persistently getting answers across the finish line.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

Cover your ass and don’t hesitate to over-communicate. Everyone operates at a different pace so making sure the point gets across to the entire team with a few needed follow-ups is nothing to be timid about. Now, that doesn’t mean being a pest every hour (lol) but understand the cadence of your work, and ignore the CC’s on copy. Make sure every need is addressed so the team remains aligned.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

I listen to the client’s needs and address the points they care most about. Far too often, project managers will enforce the needs of the company first or place clients in a box. By understanding the ins and outs of our business, I find solutions and provide insight right away that will excite them during the initial call. I like to leave the client satisfied knowing they came to the right person and not have to hear, “Let me get back to you on that.”

Bespoke incense for Quinta Brunson’s book launch

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

“He didn’t take no for an answer.”

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Chromatic and dynamic: two words to describe Nina Palomba’s portfolio.

From old-school tattoo designs to mural art, Palomba’s diverse creative experience brings her optimistic perspective across illustration, production design, and everything in between. With Palomba’s “All Love” mantra, the Los Angeles-based artist focuses on creating colorful, upbeat art that inspires positivity and spreads love and happiness.

With over a decade’s worth of professional experience in fine arts to entertainment production, Palomba has worked for various global studios, consumer brands, and media companies, such as Looney Tunes, Warner Brothers, WNBA, and Adidas. Palomba’s original artwork has been featured across TV, film, commercials, retailers, and publications such as Playboy, Juxtapoz, and LA Weekly. With an independent storefront, NNZWRLD, Palomba sells original products, including a limited edition MediCom Toy BE@RBRICK, the Happy Heart collection, and bespoke paintings and sculptures. Palomba is also currently a tattoo apprentice at Proud of You LA.

You can check out more of Nina Palomba’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet multidisciplinary artist, Nina Palomba

What is the first creative project you remember?

I have so many projects I remember doing all the way back to grade school! I’ll answer with the first paid project which was illustrating a menu for a local restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming when I was 12 years old. It was a pencil illustration of pasta and shrimp with cursive hand lettering. I’m sure my mom still has a copy of it somewhere.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Colorful, charming, whimsical.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

The most fulfilling collaboration I have worked on was the “Pride is Good” campaign with Playboy. I was one of seven queer artists chosen to reimagine the iconic Playboy Bunny Ears with the prompt, “What does pride mean to you?” in mind. It was the first-ever official Bunny Ear collection sold in editions of 500. 100% of the proceeds went directly to the Trevor Project. This was an extremely exciting and humbling project to be a part of because I have my own personal connections to that cause.

This project may have been the first time I felt safe and supported to express who I am fully in the scope of a project. It was a very emotional and amazing opportunity to create artwork that could help amplify the voices of my community and was incredibly fulfilling to be a part of something creative that drove awareness toward conversion therapy and how we can all help make a real difference and help bring positive change.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

A little of both maybe. I think creativity is something that everyone can access within themselves. Creativity can be expressed in so many ways, that I think people don’t even recognize sometimes that they are even doing it. There are many creative skills that can be taught, learned and developed over time, but there are definitely true creative souls out there that are just born with a heightened creative ability and purpose to do so.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

At the start of my career, I wish I knew that everyone’s journey will be very different. It may sound simple, but there are so many ways to get to where you want to go and unfortunately no perfect formula to become one thing or another.

My education prepped everyone the same way despite everyone’s different areas of interests and skills. Coming out of that, I had the perception early in my career that if I followed the necessary steps to get from this goal to that goal, or work my way up the ranks, I would eventually get where I wanted to. That has definitely not been the case in a large portion of my career.

There have been so many moments where I felt I had to do one style of work, or focus on one medium out of fear of not creating a consistent foundation for myself. I know now that the real key to going further and making magic is to simply make things that make you happy. Not to force anything, and find the ability to let go.

There were so many things I wanted to do early on and opportunities I really wished for—some of those have happened and many not—but the beauty of that journey has been discovering and doing the opportunities that truly have been meant for me. Going back to the previous question, that has become the most fulfilling aspect of my career so far.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

The best way to cultivate strong relationships with clients is to do what you promise to! Being kind and proactive is always very appreciated. Having a passion for the projects you work on is crucial. It is okay to turn down projects that don’t spark something for you. There will always be another opportunity. Be honest about your abilities and be willing to work with them on revisions. Be comfortable with pivots. You should take pride in the outcome just as much as they do and have the desire to make the best you can. At the end of the day they are the ones hiring you!

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

Years and years from now, I hope that people look back on my work and what I’ve created with the same awe and admiration they do with the legacy Disney left behind. I want my work to stand alongside those who have inspired me most and feel like it fits right in. This is something in the back of my mind all the time as I create and cultivate my career. I try every day to move forward with kindness and create work that uplifts and will hopefully keep a positive footprint long after I am gone.

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Brianna Alysse, a Pisces, falls under the zodiac’s most artistic sign, and her portfolio is enough evidence of astrology.

The self-taught photographer, artist, and creative director is deeply entrenched in the Los Angeles creative scene, but Brianna stands out with her authentic, small-town roots. Raised in Murrieta, CA, Brianna aims to make everyone behind her lens feel comfortable and confident in their skin through her visual artistry. In her decade-plus career, her passion has led her to express a compelling portfolio rich with color, emotion, and her muses’ true essence.

Brianna has captured a range of creative work, from editorial and campaign shoots to album and single artwork covers. She has worked with talents such as Kehlani, Camila Cabello, YG, Teyana Taylor, and Post Malone, as well as clients such as Savage x Fenty, Grailed, and Playboy.

You can check out more of Brianna’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet photographer, Brianna Alysse

What is the first creative project you remember?

My first memorable creative project would definitely be picking up a camera and asking my best friend to let me shoot her at a railroad track. It reminds me of how far I’ve come since then. I had no clue what photography came with. I didn’t know about camera settings, editing programs, or what it took to make my vision come to life. All I knew was that I wanted to take photos. So that will always be my first creative project that I’ll never forget.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Timeless, authentic, moody.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

Kehlani, Blue Water Road Trip. I will never forget it! It was a week of non-stop taking photos while also traveling and being in nature along the coast of California. A Pisces dream, haha. This collaboration made me fall in love with photography all over again in a different way. I was pushed out of my comfort zone, picked up a film camera for the first time, and learned that simplicity truly is a powerful tool. You really don’t need much. I’ve always been a fan of natural lighting, but using the natural elements of the earth was a whole new level of intriguing and beautiful to me.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

I think creativity is intuitively a part of human beings. However, I feel because society puts a lot of pressure on “you can’t make money through art,” most humans tend to suppress their creativity. But everyone has their niche; we all just gotta tap in. Any creative ideas you might have, at least give it a try. You’ll naturally teach yourself how to be better at it for the simple fact of just loving it. So I feel that it might be a bit of both.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

There are no rules to the photography game. Experiment and have fun. Also, it’s okay not to accept projects that don’t align with my vision.

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

I like to have fun when I’m shooting. I consider myself a pretty light-hearted and goofy person, but I feel that it’s really important to always be kind and always be myself with my clients. It’s important to me that my clients feel their best confident selves and know how beautiful they are.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

Truthfully, I’m not sure what I would want them to write about my work, but I would hope that they always see the beauty in it.

Follow @brialysse on Creatively.

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.

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Boys Like Flowers Too.™ For NYC-based photographer and filmmaker Kat Page, her latest photo series challenges traditional paradigms of masculinity in contrast with delicate nature. For Page, provocative photo series are just one way to impact a collective. Across her portfolio, you will find a consistent pattern of intimate human stories that challenge the status quo in the entertainment and beauty industries.

Equal parts photographer and filmmaker, Page applies both disciplines across most of her projects, valuing their nuances and ability to tell stories in different ways. Page has created videos and stills for editorial outlets such as InStyle Magazine, Teen Vogue, and 1883 Magazine, and commercial clients including Amazon, Walgreens, Rodial Beauty, and Cotton On.

No stranger to photographing A-list talent, in 2019, Page produced and directed the CFDA Fashion Awards’ backstage interviews, featuring Bella Hadid, Hasan Minhaj, and Jason Wu. She also photographed winners, including Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, at the 2020 SAG Awards.

You can check out more of Kat Page’s work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

Meet photographer, Kat Page

What is the first creative project you remember?

When I was in college, I had an advertising professor who was also a commercial photographer. I asked if I could assist him in exchange for time in his studio, and he said yes! I reached out to local model agencies, and did test shoots weekly with amazing makeup artists and stylists. It was my first taste of creative collaboration and conceptualizing an editorial story from start to finish. My first paid project was concert photography at the arena I interned at. My boss—an amazing woman and friend still to this day—saw I loved photography and needed photos for Facebook (the new marketing tool at the time). She said they would pay me $50 per show and give me creative freedom and full access to the front and backstage. I was able to photograph artists like Wiz Khalifa, Drake, and Mac Miller.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Humanistic, playful, sincere.

Jamaica, 2022

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

I have a lot thankfully, but a few that are top of mind. Recently, I got to travel to Jamaica. Not only was it a career marker for me, as I was directing my first branded short film, but the client and team I worked with were just amazing and so talented. The best feeling on a project is when the client trusts you 100% and it is pure collaboration.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

Over the years, I have learned that I am not a fashion photographer, as hard as I tried. Even though I can admire the beauty of fashion and the art of it, I just want to see the truth of the person wearing it. I want the fashion to enhance the human spirit. I could not care less if the human is able to enhance the fashion they are wearing. This frustrates stylists as I tend to not focus on the clothes. (Sorry!) But I want anyone who steps in front of my lens to feel seen and beautiful. If that is my only superpower, I’ll use it at every chance I get.

Mahogany Wade on film

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

Born with it, 100%. Creativity is about wanting to make something from your point of view for the world to see. I believe we all have that as kids. Think about how you wanted to show your parents every time you made something, from a painting to a custom living room Hot Wheels track. What makes one believe they are creative as an adult is having someone who sees their talent more than they do and told them so, permitting them to be creative out loud. So, if you are reading this, just know you are so gorgeously creative, and I can’t wait to see what you make!

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?

I didn’t go to art school, so I went into the industry with a business mindset and the need to prove myself to clients and peers. I wish I had known the value of surrounding myself with photographers and other creatives. I’ve learned it is crucial to have peers and mentors to bounce ideas off of, to play out ideas with, to vent when needed, and to ask for advice.

Boys Like Flowers Too.™

How do you cultivate strong relationships with clients?

By being honest, kind, and transparent about needs and expectations, from first conversations to post-production. It makes everybody’s job easier if we can trust each other to take feedback, pivot when needed, and make the vision come to life. I have been on the client side, and it’s best if you can all align, speak openly, and have fun!

Brad Pitt, SAG Awards 2020

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

An artist who captures the true essence of a person at that moment in their life. It may not always be trendy or chic, but it is always honest.

Follow @katpage on Creatively.

Creatively is more than a platform—we’re a creative collective.

Questions or feedback? Email us at feedback@creatively.life