Camy Totah

Photographer / Creative Director / Content Producer / Social Media Marketing Strategist

San Francisco, CA

www.camytotah.com
instagram @camytotah
pinterest

Q What do you do?

“I’m a photographer, creative director, content producer, and social media strategist. ”

I thrive on collaborative projects, embracing opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve my craft. While film photography remains my first love, I’m also exploring my connection with other mediums—let’s just say we’re in an open relationship.

Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?

The journey to where I am now has been full of ebbs and flows, guided by intuition and a trust that what’s meant for me will find its way. While I believe everything in life happens for a reason, I have and always will be a go getter. If I don’t know how to do something I learn how to do it rather than outsourcing. Recognizing my multifaceted nature, I started as a Marketing major at San Jose State University but pivoted to Studio Art in my third year after an introduction to glassblowing course awakened my passion for hands-on creation. In hindsight, I wished I had known earlier that marketing in Silicon Valley leaned more toward tech and finance than creative strategy, but let’s be honest, I should have known…This pivot allowed me to craft a unique degree, blending courses in business, gender studies, and fine arts. It reconnected me with my love for tangible art-making and the beauty of evoking feeling through my art practices.

Growing up in a big Palestinian family where community and gathering were central, I carried those values into college, founding and leading a Her Campus chapter. Over three years, including the challenges of COVID, our community grew to over 150+ members specializing in marketing, design, writing, and event planning. Receiving the President of the Year award from SJSU validated the heart and effort I poured into fostering this space. It taught me the joy of leadership, responsibility, and connection. Beyond building a publication, I aimed to provide students with professional and creative opportunities often lacking on campus. Though I doubted myself at times and really didn’t know what I was doing (who does), I attribute this drive to my roots in a family of hardworking entrepreneurs and leaders within our vibrant Bay Area Palestinian community.

Through connecting with creatives in college and exploring photography and storytelling, I rediscovered my love for capturing life through my lens and growing communities through visual storytelling. Since graduating in Spring 2024, I’ve worked freelance with bloggers, brands, and businesses while building my portfolio and business. I’ve used this time to process the lessons of the past five years, refine my skills, and transition into selling my film and digital photography while starting a blog called Mull & Muse! Outside of work, I find grounding in nature. Hiking and exploring calms my mind and reminds me of our deep interconnection with the world around us—a foundation for both my creativity and sense of self.

Q How do you stand out in your field?

Growing up, I had the opportunity to travel the world with my family. This developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, which shaped my ability to adapt and connect with people from all walks of life. Inspired by these experiences and the entrepreneurial spirit of my Palestinian community in the Bay Area, I learned the value of hard work, pursuing one’s passions, and considering the long-term impact on our community and future generations.

In tune with my emotions and mindful of my surroundings, I believe my ability to connect with people and make them feel seen and heard sets me apart. My work celebrates people, cultures, and the interconnectedness of the world around us—particularly our relationship with nature. By focusing on nature, emotions, and community, I’ve found ways to bridge generational gaps within my community and contribute to collective healing through my art.

Q What are you working on right now?

This next year is all about experimentation and embracing new opportunities. I’m focusing on a solo exhibition, collaborating with local BIPOC, women-owned, and LGBTQ+ businesses to help expand their brands and build mindful communities. I also plan to launch a blog called Mull & Muse and am manifesting an invitation to work on a film project.

Beyond exploration, I’m developing a photography and film series that tells the story of heirloom jewelry and vintage clothing passed down through generations in SWANA communities. This ties into an apparel project I’m working on with my sisters, which will raise funds for the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance—more details coming soon!

Q What’s your style?

My style is a blend of earthy scenes infused with bold, vibrant colors, where natural light plays a central role. I focus on capturing people and places in their organic form, preserving the authenticity of what I see in real time with minimal post-editing. My passion for nature is deeply embedded in my work, particularly as I explore how nature photography intersects with fashion and brand storytelling.

For me, style, perspective, and taste are ever-evolving, driven by an innate curiosity and a desire to grow creatively. Whether I’m experimenting with how light interacts with a landscape, discovering the interplay of textures in nature, or reimagining how these elements can enhance a brand’s visual identity, I aim to create work that feels authentic and rooted in intentionality.

Lately, my creative direction has been influenced by my growing interest in interior design and architecture. I’ve become fascinated by forms and shapes, and finding ways to integrate these elements into my photography. From capturing the clean lines of a modern space or the organic curves of natural structures, I’m always seeking connections between my surroundings and my work. This exploration of structure and design adds a fresh layer to my evolving style, allowing me to continually refine my creative voice.

Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?

I’ve always been captivated by the art of visual storytelling, and while I haven’t ventured into filmmaking yet, it’s a path I’d love to explore. There’s something so powerful about sharing people’s stories through a visual medium, and I often wonder where this passion could take me.

Music has also played a significant role in my life. As a child, I dreamt of being a music artist or traveling with a band, documenting their journey through photos and videos. It’s a manifestation that’s stayed with me, blending my love for storytelling with my admiration for music’s ability to connect people on a universal level.

Though I don’t play any instruments, I plan to pick up one or two in the coming years. I’m always discovering new sounds, diving into different genres, and fine-tuning my own voice—both creatively and literally. Deep down, I hold onto the dream of one day being the lead singer of a jazz band, even if I’ll need to overcome my stage fright to make it a reality. For now, I channel that energy into storytelling, letting music guide my creative vision and fuel my imagination. Ooo and I can't forget about floral and interior design!!

Q What is frustrating you right now?

My minds tendency to self-sabotage. Imposter syndrome always seems to creep in just when I’m on the verge of something extraordinary. It's a challenge many of us creators know all too well, but I have found ways to support myself through these feelings with patience and compassion. Being a creative come with unpredictable outcomes and while it's incredibly thrilling it's also so anxiety inducing. Choosing to pursue your passion and being creative isn't for the weak- you are constantly putting so much feeling and pieces of your soul into your work and that can be so draining.

Working as a freelance artist comes with its own set of challenges, and one of the most frustrating parts of my journey has been the inconsistency in finding steady work. It’s something I constantly remind myself and my fellow creatives—patience is key. We’re in an industry that requires persistence and resilience, and while it can be disheartening at times, we have nothing to lose. All we can do is keep trying, keep pushing forward, and trust that the work will come when we least expect it.

On top of this, I often find myself grappling with the lack of Palestinian representation in the media. While there are many incredible creators out there, I’ve noticed it’s still difficult to find Arab creatives to collaborate with or look to for advice and inspiration. That being said, things are slowly shifting, and as the climate evolves, I’m hopeful that I’ll come across more like-minded creatives who share my cultural background and are passionate about making an impact on our community together.

Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?

I’d love assistance with photoshoots, behind the scenes content production, and location scouting. While I enjoy wearing many different hats it difficult to extend myself in every which way when I really want to focus on the photoshoot and vision at hand.

Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?

I’ve always told myself, the best things in life come with patience and time. It’s all about timing. Whatever finds you was meant you whether thats to challenge, inspire, shape your perspectives, and/or drive your creativity.

Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?

I’m seeking opportunities that grow and nurture communities and brands through visual storytelling, particularly those that celebrate funky fashion, expressive people, and diversity. Whether I’m supporting others in accomplishing their vision or guiding a project in collaboration with others, I’d love to partake in projects that foster mindful long-term connections.

Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?

My dream is to collaborate with outdoor brands, photographing people and places around the world, with a focus on nature, fashion, lifestyle, and incorporating interior design and architecture. I thrive in projects where I have a muse—whether it's people, animals, objects, or places—and would love to join a community of creators and bloggers, supporting them in crafting content for their brands. In general working with a community and team of people is what I enjoy most of all! The ideal collaborations would be with brands and individuals who prioritize sustainability, inclusion, and vulnerability, aiming to showcase raw emotion and evoke it in others. Brands like Damson Madder, Marni, Tio Lee, American Vintage, Keen, Oddli, Oliver Peoples, Coming Soon NY, etc.

Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.

My rates vary based on the client, project, and timeline. For local, small, and start-up brands and businesses, I offer discounted rates and payment plans. For projects that involve travel, I factor in time, equipment transport, and logistics when determining the budget. For events like gallery openings and special occasions, my rate starts at $200 per hour. For collaborations and larger projects, I prefer to set up an informational call to understand the scope before providing a detailed proposal and budget.

Q: What is your rate?

Send me a message at www.camytotah.com or camytotah@gmail.com

Q How should someone approach you about working together?

Live, experience, play, communicate, connect with creatives.

Q Who is a creative you admire?

Oh gosh, the list goes on: Sarah Bahbah, Karam Nwilati, Cameron Nuttall, Summer Dean, and Sophia Wilson

Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?