We were lucky to catch up with Pearl Preis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Pearl, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My father was a prisoner of war in WW2 in the Pacific. Shortly after the war, he left the Philippines and headed to Guam and started working hard without any formal training/education. He used his talent and determination to make a living in a new world. When he retired he became a very successful cultural artist on the island, but before that he worked in a sign shop for the US Air Force for many years. He was not only responsible for all the signs on the base but he also did many other artistic jobs that were required. I soon started working alongside him on some of his assignments and he eventually started giving me small jobs, such as illustrating monthly calendars for the officers clubs and assisting in sign painting and mural work. I developed a work ethic and skill and was inspired to do the same thing for my future. Both of my parents stressed working hard and having pride in your work and being professional at all times. I also learned how to communicate with clients by paying attention to how my father conducted himself in his business affairs. This is what my parents did right. They gave me tools, knowledge, love and support. I do a lot of commercial and fine art these days for clients. Photography is another aspect of my work. I sell scenic prints and postcards and shoot portraits and events. Boudoir photography is one of my more successful branches in my photography business. Creating artistic portraits of women who want to capture a certain youthful time in their lives has been one of my more creative and favorite types of portraits to shoot!

Pearl, 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 am an artist and a photographer. Both worlds collide nicely and I believe this is what makes my work sought after. I am flexible to work with and I listen to what a client wants and I work hard at giving them their product in a timely and professional manner. When shooting boudoir, women are interested in a fine art portrait of their selves that are on the sexier side of life, so when they ask to hide stretchmarks or to trim a little fat, I don’t ever try to discourage them in anyway and I play up their strengths to wow them in the end. After all, it’s art. I’m very proud that my work has gained the attention it has received without heavy promotion, Word of mouth and social media has kept me busy in the area for a long time, and just busy enough to still run a home and raise a family.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is: it’s who I am. I have ideas and I have skill and I do work that I truly enjoy. If you are lucky enough to be doing what you like in this world, then you are a success! To be creating and having others appreciate your work is very rewarding. Even the work I do commercially for clients, even though it is not my vision, I enjoy working with others in helping them achieve their vision, no matter how grand or different their ideas are, it is always very satisfying when you can help others do what they can’t do.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped build my reputation were my clients showing off their boudoir portraits to their girlfriends and the fact that it was shot by a woman photographer, was highly appealing to many women. I wasn’t simply taking a photo of them and handing it over. I would edit photos in a tasteful and imaginative way. We would almost always work outdoors especially on the beaches at sunset where the lighting was flattering and the views were meaningful but exciting and it was a comfortable and fun environment as well and it removed a lot of tension. Being a woman and knowing how to work with other women with things such as making them feel comfortable with their bodies, especially out in public and suggesting poses, banter and helping them with outfits were important Things like that and a suggestion for a glass of wine before the shoot went a long way and it showed in their boudoir portraits!

Contact Info:

• Website: pearlpreis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearl.preis.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlpreis

Image Credits
Photo of Pearl Preis by Thomas Mathew