We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abigail B. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abigail below.

Alright, Abigail thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Every time I get to go out and take photos it’s meaningful. Bringing photos and ideas I dream up to life is an amazing feeling. One that’s sticks out in my mind was a day I took my two sisters out with me to take photos. We went to a backroads logging area with amazing old growth and snapped shots. I dressed them up respectively in a ballgown and as an eleven ranger. We took some amazing photos and had a lot of fun.

One of the coolest parts though was a photo my sister snapped of me with my sword holding the book “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I posted that photo on a whim a few weeks later, tagged the author, and left my phone at home accidentally. When I got back later that day, my account had blown up. JLA, who is one of my most read authors, had reposted the photo on her page calling me a popular nickname from the book. I was absolutely floored. I had no belief she would see the photo, much less repost and tag me! It meant a lot to me because it showed that people appreciated my chosen niche of photography and that hard work can pay off in the coolest ways.

Abigail , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a book reviewer and fantasy photographer! My Instagram page is focused on book based content and photography. I started my Instagram page 3 years ago because I didn’t have any friends who liked to read and I wanted a community. Bookstagram as it’s known is a place for readers, authors, and creatives to gather around their love of books.

When I started I was more into reviewing books, but as I grew I realized I love taking photos that told stories. So I started learning how to take photos inspired by books, be it their characters, plot, or setting. As I got jobs I was able to supplement my photos by growing a fantasy wardrobe and my prize possession, a sword. 8 year old Narnia loving me was ecstatic when I unwrapped it. Three years later I’ve got an amazing community of followers and made some incredible friends. I’m always ready to learn more about photography, editing, and this year I hope to tackle learning Photoshop.

From a business perspective, I’m a lot like many other micro-influencers in my chosen niche in that I do a mix of brand representing and ambassadorships. I’m a representative for TitlePieces bookmarks and also an ambassador for a clothing boutique which makes me a little bit of commission. It gives me new opportunities to practice my flatlay skills and branding. I also do book reviews for authors, though I’m pretty selective about what books I accept. If it doesn’t sound like something I’d pick up on my own, I don’t do it. Book reviewing often isn’t paid, but it’s a good step to getting into the publishing industry.

I’m always down to work with clients that align with my love of books or fantasy fashion. Where I find I’m unique is I’ve squished two niches together, books and photography. I take photos with themes of fantasy and fantasy fashion that are also specifically based in bookish worlds or context. A lot of people tend to stick to one or other. I’ve also invested time and money into building a wardrobe that goes with my photography which I think can really make it stand out. I don’t know of many other people in my niche with quite a collection like mine. My dream is to continue growing and have more opportunities to expand my photography and cosplaying skills.

My page doesn’t make me a living, it’s a way for me to create, share my love of books, and have fun. I’m blessed to live in beautiful BC that makes finding places to photograph easy. When I’m not reading and creating I am third years nursing student specializing in maternity, which is another dream of mine. Balancing school and creativity can be hard, but I love my page because it reminds me to be creative and have fun. One day I’d like to focus more exclusively on creative photography and building a business, but first I’m going to live my dream of being a nurse and sticking to my love of books.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This is your journey, not someone else’s. Also, social media is fake.

I had to learn that because comparison is truly the thief of joy. I’d watch others grow from 1K to 5K seemingly overnight, see others with prettier houses, better books, etc. I had to let go of jealousy and realize I’m on my journey. I’m a nursing student, I don’t have hours and hours to dedicate to creating, and that’s okay. I made my page as a fun place to create and connect with book lovers. Once I did that, I was a lot happier. I do what I want, when I want. I don’t need to be someone else. My thoughts, photos, ideas, and interactions are my own. Be you boo.

Also, I don’t spend my days in ballgowns with perfect hair. I’m more often in scrubs picking up shifts or daydreaming about taking a nap. Part of what I do is create fantasy worlds, but it’s just that, fantasy. Social media is extremely important for creatives, but remember, we are creating. Living the life of a creative is 20% glamorous moments 80% hard work and investment. Sadly I don’t participate in sword fights or balls… yet.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Oh man. That’s the hard part honestly. There’s two pieces. One is aesthetics, the other is platforms. When I started back on Instagram in 2019, it was a whole different ball game. It was fairly easy to grow if you stuck to your niche and had quality photos which is key. I know people think it’s a casual thing to posts on a photo based site like Instagram, it’s not. If you want to grow you need to have aesthetics. You need to invest in learning how to edit, stage, and be yourself. If you want to grow you’ll have to invest money. Whether that’s a student package like I have with Adobe or VSCO for $20 a year. You need to be willing to learn. I’m constantly finding new ways to pose my flatlays or myself, new ways to use Lightroom, new ways to take photos. Being casual can work, but I’ve found if you put effort in, that’s when magic can happen. Find your niche, find your photo aesthetic, and be authentic. Whether that’s through your photo subjects, how you interact with followers, or both, be you. Also please, please, please don’t alter your body and edit your person into someone else. It’s hard to fake and most of us seriously don’t appreciate it.

That being said, Instagram is hard to use right now. I used to get great interaction without even being at 1K. Now it’s a struggle. Like I mean 200 likes is a win struggle. Me and many fellow creators, regardless of our following size, are at a loss. Nothing we do works. Instagram wants to compete with TikTok, and they are pushing reels on creators hard. They constantly change the algorithm so what might have worked a few months ago for you might now work now. A lot of us are being forced to learn how to make reels when all we wanted to do was post photos. So if you want to grow on Instagram, be prepared to be a mixed media artist within your niche. Learning is part of growing, and if you want to keep gaining an audience and growing, you’re going to have to do that.

Contact Info:

• Website: abooktoreadwithtea.blogspot.com
• Instagram: a.princess.and.her.books
• Other: my business email is [email protected] I’m also always happy to connect through my Instagram page.