Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luke London. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Luke, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I got my start working in the salon and beauty retail world. For years, I sold cosmetics and performed beauty services for retail customers while slowly building my personal clientele and doing hair and makeup as a freelance artist on the side. Eventually I was able to network with some photographers here in Saint Louis and that’s how I got my foot in the door working on set for shoots. Doing so inspired me to pursue photography on my own as well. Being able to have full creative control over a project as the hairstylist, makeup artist, and photographer is extremely rewarding and I enjoy all of the different facets of each art form. Building my clientele was definitely a slow burn and while I always dreamed of working for myself full-time at some point, my hourly paycheck kept me tethered for a long time because I was scared to take that leap of faith and quit my job to go solo. Flash forward to 2020 when the pandemic hit- like many, I was laid off from my job. The two months I spent unemployed really allowed me to contemplate on the direction my career was going as well as find time to nourish my creative spirit. Eventually I was called back to my job, but by October of that year I had decided to make the move to work for myself full-time. It was super scary, but 100% worth it in the end. My business has since increased more than I could’ve hoped. I’ve worked with so many creatives in the industry and gained so many wonderful clients. Knowing what I know now, there are definitely things I would’ve done to speed up my journey to this point. Network like your life (or livelihood) depends on it. Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from moving forward. And lastly, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Advocate for yourself and push yourself towards opportunities you know you deserve.
Luke, 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’m a makeup artist, hairstylist, and photographer with nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty industry. I pride myself on my range and versatility as an artist. My clients come to me for any and everything whether it’s event hair and makeup, weddings, portrait sessions, or fashion and beauty editorial photoshoots. My motto is “timeless beauty created with diversity and innovation in mind.” I want to create something that will make people feel beautiful at any point in time when they look back on it. And the two most important things to me as an artist are diversity and innovation. It’s so important to create space for every kind of client and I think that’s evident in my work. And of course, you can never stop learning and finding new ways to innovate and evolve your craft. I hope to never stop pushing myself to grow. I think that’s what sets me apart: my ability to constantly elevate and step outside of the box. Being on trend only takes you so far. You have to find your own style and not be afraid to do things differently.
How did you build your audience on social media?
My social media journey has been a slow build up, but one thing I’ve always made a point to do is to be authentic. So much of what we see online is strategically crafted to portray a specific image or persona. And I understand the value of that when establishing your brand, but I’ve always wanted the freedom to post, and say, and express however I want. The best way to allow myself to do that is being authentic from the start. My followers know that the person they see online is the person they’re getting in real life. It’s helped me attract the kind of clients that I want and I don’t feel the pressure to conform to any specific style or behaviors when I’m connecting with my audience online.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I’m sure this sentiment has been shared before, but simply having the privilege to create art for a living and have an audience to share it with is incredible. It’s hard work, but I’m constantly reminding myself how lucky I am be able to do this. The friendships I’ve made in this industry through clients to other creatives is irreplaceable. Creating something you love that others can gain inspiration and empowerment from is truly priceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: XLL.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: @xlukelondon
- Facebook: Luke London
Image Credits
Luke London