Emily Malan
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a freelance fashion photographer working in Los Angeles and New York City. I work on various projects such as digital content, editorial and fashion week. I work with creative teams and cast talent to execute concepts. ”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I’ve been working professionally for 10 years. I moved to NYC in 2010 after I received a degree in photography at Art Center College of Design. While living in NYC, I worked on fashion week photography and editorial. Now I work with brands and publications on various photography projects. I go back and forth btwn LA and NYC.
HOW DO YOU STAND OUT IN YOUR FIELD?
I have a very good work ethic. I take pride in that I can collaborate with all kinds of different people and take direction.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m finishing up some post-production from a shoot that I recently did for a magazine. Additionally, I’m making mood boards for future shoot concepts. I’m in the process of repurposing images from past shoots and making them into merch. Looking into services where I can make merch on the cheap. I’m also sitting on a bunch of past work that I want to make into a book.
Oh. and I've been having tie-dye parties with my friends.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Traveling has given me a global perspective on how I make pictures. The relationship between city culture, clothes and people fascinates me. I'm very conscious of the locations I choose for my shoots. Everything from styling, model and location, ties together and creates a narrative.
WE ALL HAVE MULTIPLE SKILLS OR WORK IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD FOCUS ON MORE?
It would be nice to focus on video because that is so foreign to me.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’ve been told by many peers and mentors that in order to get the jobs that you want, you have to make the work that you want. I’ve been making the work that I want to make, but the jobs I’m getting don’t reflect that.
I also get paid late often and I would like clients to hold themselves accountable to their end of their contracts. I work with a lot of corporations who have a net 30 policy but I end up being paid on a net 60-120. It’s tough.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Administrative work. Film scanning, organizing receipts, tracking expenses, invoicing and chasing down late payments.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Save your money. It is okay to slow down. You don't have to do everything right this moment.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Travel, writing and food. If Anthony Bourdain were still alive, I would have loved to have a meal together and pick his brain.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I would love to work on more fashion, lifestyle and advertising jobs, especially with production. It's not very fun when I work with clients who cut corners on budget and don't provide HMU for talent.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Ideally, I would love to work with a client that has a clear idea of the result they want to achieve. A clear and concise brief with references is really helpful for me to be able to achieve their goal. I also like being a part of the process. I want to be hired because they like my work, not because I know how to press the shutter on a camera.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My rates vary from project to project. I typically don’t price by the hour. I’m open to budgets!
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
My partner is an amazing video director
Rickey Kim is a great art director
He is a longtime friend and was at one point a mentor for me when I was in my early 20's.
Makeup artists -
Jen Nguyen
Christina Roberson
Hadia Kabir
Stylists-
Bebe Jean
Jenn Edelson
Shahirah Ahmed
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I surround myself with positive people and energy
This member profile was originally published in July 2019.