We recently connected with Annabel Park and have shared our conversation below.
Annabel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
I will see how it plays out. But I think it is both the best and worst investment ever. I created a shop/studio with 7 different sets already lit and camera and live monitor ready to go. Basically if a photo studio quality meets the experience of a photo booth. I have 50k in debt after being on a 800 and above credit score for the past 5 years we are quickly escalating downward. Now enough about money, let’s get back to the creative part. Everyone who experiences and walks in the shop says it is brilliant, cathartic, an absolute gem. I myself as I come in here everyday it’s quite miraculous of an experience. People who understand the quality and the beauty of it think it’s too cheap, but on an hourly rate it’s the rate of a seasoned photographer. But on the other hand we have people who think it is too cheap and so is in absolute disbelief and probably thinks it’s a total scam. Honestly even the neighborhood doesn’t book online, they will walk in to make sure it is for real. The first time I thought about this was in June and then the thought progressed and then took it to action and it’s absolutely shocking how i was able to build this and create something like this. So my landlord kept asking me if I want to sign the one year lease, well i am in debt now and I really can’t make more bets without any money to bet with so I said no. Basically I have one month to figure out the next game plan for my business or cross my fingers we go viral and people start rushing in before June. At the end of the day, I am so thankful to be able to work on a project like this, something new and something unheard of. Also I’m truly amazed at my heart not falling into utter depression of the thought of finance but continually being guided in a perfectly planned out journey through the highs and lows.
Annabel, 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’ve been a photographer for 15 years. I started working on fashion in college, then family and events and portraiture. I got into film photography and got a couple gallery’s and honorable awards. And today in this year I decided to open a studio an affordable photo studio for all ages to come by. I basically in a sense tried out every aspect of photography but find keep finding a different way to enjoy it. I will keep moving within photography somewhere regardless of what anyone thinks. I will just keep doing what I want to do. Whatever it is that I believe is brilliant, beautiful and also completely shocking to me as well. My work will not be very repetitive, but I look forward to discovering the newest joy. My entire life is a process and progression, regardless of worldly views. And I am just thankful that I can continue to discover that new thing in photography to drive me into doing some of the wildest tasks.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
The creative person vs realistic. Absolutely no one will understand my journey as a creative person and we would never understand a non creative person. Everyone even creatives would probably think my journey with my current business idea is absolutely bonkers. The way I started. But nobody knows my story. My personal story. Everyone related to what they see and the outside perspective and same goes for us in terms of viewing a non creative person. But everyone, to be honest everyone is a creative person, they just don’t know it and just degrade themselves of it thinking it’s a rule or a routine. There is a creative aspect in every moment, movement, task, way of doing things. However we can’t trust anyone, can’t even trust yourself, but regardless of that hear them out and discern it for your journey.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Doing something that doesnt exist and it completely turns me over from my grave. When I am in complete shock and beauty of what could be created.
Contact Info:
- Website: icyoula.com / chasingthemm.com
- Instagram: icyoula