We were lucky to catch up with Camille Shepperd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Camille, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

My biggest critique of the educational system is the lack of hands-on, high-stakes learning in the classroom. I’ve always been someone who learns best when there’s real heart- pounding pressure and responsibility.

For my undergrad, I studied communications because it gave me access to the widest range of departments on campus. I took courses in art, psychology, business, journalism, and the humanities to build a well-rounded degree. However, I realized photography could be a valuable asset in my career. But, I chose not to take a class for it, instead, I got a job as a photographer at a summer camp.

I was hired as the second shooter for an adventure camp in Bellingham, Washington. But when I arrived, they told me I was actually the only person hired for media. That meant I was responsible for everything—shooting 800 to 1,000 photos a day, curating and uploading around 300 each night so parents could see what their kids were up to.

I’d barely touched a camera before that summer. The learning curve was steep, but I figured it out, and I left with a solid, original portfolio that I could use for future career development . For me this was far more valuable than what I could’ve gotten from a on-campus photography class.

That experience is the perfect example of the kind of learning I wish more people pursued: taking ownership of your education, choosing what you want to learn, and finding ways to get paid to do it—rather than paying for it in a safe, structured setting.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I always wanted to be an interior designer. When I was 15, I even made a PowerPoint presentation explaining why it was the most exciting career in the world. But that passion got shut down pretty quickly by well-meaning teachers and advice-givers who didn’t see it as a viable path.

I ended up studying communications, a broad field that allowed me to explore graphic design, photography, social media, and recruiting. During college and in the years that followed, I lived in five different states, studied abroad, and got to be part of some incredible creative projects. But deep down, I knew I owed it to myself to give interior design a real shot.

So I enrolled in a hands on interior design school here in Portland. I dove in headfirst into the eight-month course that provided hands-on training in color theory, design history, lighting, and the design process, among other essential skills. Once I felt grounded in the basics, I hit the ground running—interviewing and networking with established designers.

That effort led to a meeting with Kevin of Kevin Twitty Interiors in April 2024. In our initial email exchange, he mentioned he wasn’t looking to hire, but he was open to sharing some advice. A few hours into our first conversation, though, he said he might be hiring. By the time we wrapped up our second coffee, I had a job offer from one of the most respected interior design firms in the area.

Kevin had been running his business solo for seven years and had reached a point where expanding his team made sense. Kevin’s company, known for its luxury residential and commercial projects across the U.S., provided the perfect environment for me to apply and expand my skills. I am learning how to design spaces, do installs with clients, and all the back-end work that makes interior design a reality. It’s been exciting to take on the responsibility that comes with creative ideas getting fleshed out in real life! I am truly so grateful and feel like I get to live out 15-year-old Camille’s dream!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of all my creative pursuits—and there have been many—is getting to design spaces that feel like a reflection of the people who live in them. There’s something so meaningful about helping someone feel more at home in their own home. It’s not just about picking out furniture or paint colors, I believe interior design is about listening deeply, paying attention to who they are, how they move through the world, and then translating all of that into a space that supports and celebrates them.

When a space feels aligned with someone’s personality, lifestyle, and story, it creates this quiet kind of magic. It’s not performative or overly curated—it’s deeply personal. I’ve seen people walk into a finished room and say, “This feels like me,” and that’s a real full circle moment for me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

With interior design, there’s never an end to the things I can learn, create, and ways I could inspire. It truly does feel like a world that is ever evolving and changing which inspires me everyday to make something new. I am constantly driven by making something that feels authentic, beautiful, and creative.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shepcamille/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-s-06823a156/

Image Credits

Design Credits to Kevin Twitty Interiors