We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Stepp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I was interested in the arts from a very young age and found a love for photography in high school. It wasn’t until almost 20 years later that I realized that photography could be a viable career option. I’d been working for 10+ years as a graphic artist and started pursuing photography more seriously as the industry was transitioning into digital.

Alicia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I worked for 15 years as a graphic artist before moving into photography professionally. I started out doing weddings and portraiture in 2007 but quickly moved into fashion, beauty, and the more conceptual realms of photography. I still offer portraiture, with an eye towards celebrity work, and have recently added product photography to my portfolio. During the pandemic, I started to explore the possibility of virtual creation. This allowed me to continue safely creating while offering a novel creative solution to my clients. Most recently I have started offering mentoring and consulting services and am excited to become more involved in creative direction. In 2021 I joined the board of directors with Focus on Women and have also jump-started my own initiative, VSONRY, which highlights exciting female-identifying creatives around the globe.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think there is a common misconception about what is involved in running a business as a creative. The work of creatives is often undervalued. It’s one of the few industries I know of where people ask or expect people to work for free/on spec or prove themselves before someone is willing to pay for their services. Because of this, it is very difficult to build perceived value as an artist, especially in an increasingly oversaturated market. Hire your friends. Share their work. Running a small business is difficult and hard work no matter what industry you’re in.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Very true to the adage, getting to wake up and do what you love for a living, especially as a creative, can be incredibly fulfilling. I’ve often said that I can’t conceive of an existence in which I’m not inextricably linked with a camera. Conceptualizing an idea, creating with a team, and connecting with people are the cornerstones of what I do and they are incredibly rewarding and the daily fuel for my fire.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.aliciastepp.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aliciastepptx
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/aliciastepp/
• Other: http://www.instagram.com/vson,ry