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

Blair, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

This question definitely hits close to home as someone who considers themselves a ‘Vibrancy Vigilante.’ My mission is straightforward: leave the world more vibrant than I found it. Coming to terms with that mission was anything but. It’s taken me the last ten years in business to realize that my mission has never been to seek impact; it’s been to create it by seeking self. Very ‘Super Soul Sunday’ of me, I know, but 100% true.

I’ve spent my 35 years of life perfecting how to present to garner approval and validation from everyone but myself. I’m now learning that when you put yourself last, no matter how much the work allows you to eat, as a creative, you rarely come away feeling ‘full.’ It’s wild, but I actually had to give myself permission to have a say in the art that I create and the people I create it with. The shrinking had to seize so I could finally stand 10 toes down as my most vibrant self. Many of my branding clients can relate to that struggle of learning to self-validate while being in service to their customers. My mission as the Vibrancy Vigilante starts with disrupting that struggle by giving them permission to finally #SheauxUp and be audacious and vibrant with their brands. I think the world inherently becomes more vivid when you are brave enough to let your hue through, rather than chasing a hue that just ain’t you, boo! Lol

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I think I may have jumped the gun on this question in my previous answer. But if you’re going to give me the space to talk about myself, I’m definitely going to take it up! lol

My biggest hope when people experience my work is that it feels as vivid as I hope experiencing me does. That’s why ‘vibrancy’ is so important to me; it’s who I am, it’s what I feel, and it’s what I offer to the brands that work with me. So many of my shoots are connected to important milestones for my clients. I try to create a safe space that allows them to truly live in that moment while creating vibrant and kinetic content that lives long after that moment has passed. It’s that mentality that allows me to navigate around the competitive mindset so easily found in an ‘oversaturated’ industry like photography. The truth is, there’s always going to be another photographer that can out-shoot me, and A.I. is getting really close to being able to do the same. However, another photographer or a camera-wielding Terminator can never out-Blair me. I truly believe all the things that make me me are what allow me to pull the ‘you’ through your brand in a way that only I can, but also please don’t tell the SIRIs and GPTs I said that. I don’t want no problems. Lol

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My camp!!! I can scream at the top of my lungs why I believe you should bring your branding photography needs to me, as you should, but a happy client singing your praises just goes so much further. The only reason I get the opportunity to add my own bit of vibrancy to this world is because there are people out there who believe in giving me the chance to do so. I can’t ‘ego’ my way into success, and I can’t build a legacy alone. I think people have the misconception that the only way they can support small business owners is by opening up their wallets. By all means, don’t stop doing that… lol but when that business has earned your trust, open up that network too! I’ve created a super generous referral program for PHEAUXTOGRAPHY because I want to pour into those who pour into me. I’d rather invest in them over a billboard any day! So to my Blair Bears out there reading this… I freaking love you! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the 11 years you’ve all given me. I truly hope I’m making you proud.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s cliche, but being a part of something bigger than myself has to be one of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative. With my branding clients, I get to tether my dreams to theirs. There is so much energy behind creation. I love that I get to reenergize the excitement behind ‘Sheauxing Up’ for my brand, just by being the vehicle that they use to do the same for theirs. My legacy is amplified by the brands and the incredible bosses behind them that have blessed my journey. So when I see the work that we’ve created together leveling them up, I celebrate that win like it is my own!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pheauxtography.com
• Instagram: @pbd
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/blairdevereaux
• Twitter: @dontyoublair

Image Credits
I own all the images