591: Aurelie Graillot – Balancing Creativity, Business, and Life: Lessons from a master commercial photographer

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Aurelie Graillot of www.aureliegraillot.com appeared on my radar after interviewing Steve Tepp from Rights Click, where we talked about all things copyright in episode 583.

After the email introduction, I looked at her website and was blown away! This French-born, American-raised photographer describes herself as a still-life photographer, but I don't feel that description goes far enough.

I would say commercial, advertising, beauty and cosmetics photographer who is an absolute master of photography, light, colour, composition and style.

If you suffer from imposter syndrome as a photographer… do not visit Aurelie's website… her work is truly incredible.

Aurelie’s insights are a goldmine for commercial, advertising, and branding photographers looking to build a sustainable, authentic career. Whether you're just starting out or already established, this interview offers real-world advice on everything from brand-building to adapting to a tech-driven world while balancing creativity, business, and life lessons from this super-talented commercial photographer.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Find Your Unique Style: Aurelie talks about overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on her distinct style rather than comparing herself to others—key for personal and career growth.
• Define Your Brand: Knowing her strengths helped Aurelie build a brand that resonates authentically with clients.
• Starting Out: Aurelie began as a photography assistant, gaining foundational lighting and studio setup skills, which were crucial for her growth.
• Breakthrough Moment: An introduction from a creative director led to her first major commercial shoot, changing her career trajectory.
• Managing Early Finances: Aurelie shares her experience of balancing multiple jobs and initially accepting low rates, a familiar reality for new photographers.
• Build a Strong Portfolio: Aurelie emphasises the importance of showcasing high-quality work through personal projects and e-commerce shoots to attract clients.
• The Power of Networking: Connections with creative directors and industry professionals opened doors to new opportunities.
• Safeguard Your Work: Copyrighting images and negotiating usage rights to protect against unlicensed use.
• Embracing AI: With AI changing the photography landscape, Aurelie shares how she integrates AI-generated elements to expand her creative toolkit.
• Stay Competitive: Continuous learning—through courses, test shoots, or social media—helps photographers keep up with industry shifts.
• Balance Career and Life: After becoming a mother, Aurelie scaled back her studio operations to create a balance for her family and business.
• Developing Client Relationships: Building a good working relationship with clients and creative directors has been key to her project success.
• Present a Strong Online Presence: Aurelie highlights the need for a compelling online portfolio and active social media engagement to build credibility.

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