Izzy Davison
Photographer / Videographer / Creative Director
Austin, TX / Brooklyn, NY
www.izzydphoto.com
instagram @bizzy.bean
Q What do you do?
“I’m a freelance photographer and videographer with a focus on fashion, beauty, and music. Throughout my creative career I’ve had my hands in a lot of different aspects of the arts and the fashion industry so I have a unique perspective that I like to bring to clients and personal projects. Whether it’s brand content, a test shoot for a model, a personal photoshoot, or commercial fashion work I often handle all aspects of production including creative direction, location scouting, building a team, casting, and the photography or videography. I also work with artists to shoot their album artwork, marketing content, and music videos. Give me a vision and I can bring it to life! My personal work marries documentary style and editorial fashion aesthetics and focuses on documenting the Queer community. ”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
As a kid I would spend hours drinking in the glossy pages of the 25 cent fashion magazines I would get from the library. I went to a performing arts high school for musical theater but ended up taking a few photography classes and falling in love with it. When I was 18 I moved to NYC to attend Pratt Institute and pursue a BFA in photography. In school I developed a love for film photography and started making multi-media installations to explore my interest in religious themes and the connection between personal identity and self expression. While I loved the work I was making, I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and dropped out in 2020 to pursue modeling and photography full time. After leaving school I worked as a stylist assistant and photo assistant to gain hands on experience while juggling a few odd jobs, and modeling for brands like Google, Coach, Maybelline, Off-White etc.. As a stylist assistant I learned a lot of valuable information about the PR side of fashion working for clients like Vogue Hong Kong, Chanel, Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, Samsung, Elle Canada and more. I also learned that I definitely did NOT want to be a stylist (it’s a thankless job and I have respect for everyone who chooses to pursue it). For the last few years I’ve been building my portfolio shooting tests for models, social media content, lookbooks for brands, and personal projects.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
My photographic style and use of color is very eye catching, and I have an ability to capture people authentically. What I hear a lot from people I’ve worked with is that they feel comfortable and safe being photographed by me which is HUGE! As someone who has professional modeling experience, and isn’t a man, I know how it feels to be uncomfortable or unsafe on set. Being able to create a space for people to express themselves, feel beautiful, and be captured as their authentically means the world to me. As a nonbinary lesbian photographer I’m acutely aware of the lack of representation for people like me in my industry and I think producing solid work and filling that gap makes me stand out.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m trying to shoot more editorial work and get my photography published and in print! I’ve always molded my style after fashion photographers like Tim Walker, Harley Weir, and Nick Knight who take clothes, makeup and set design and create whole worlds for people to see themselves in. It’s a goal of mine to create fashion and beauty work that pushes the limits of what people expect while stretching my own creativity. I’m also starting to shoot for a personal project documenting the lesbian community in NYC. My intentions with this project is to create a living archive of lesbian culture, relationships and style. Basically a love letter to lesbians!
Q What’s your style?
My style is definitely very colorful and contrasty. I love using the styling elements to bring texture and form to my subjects either in a studio or outdoor setting. I think being a huge film nerd also brings a cinematic element to my work, horizontal shots have a lot of underrated potential. A lot of what i’m trying to communicate in my photographs is the true soul of my subjects. Who are they? What do they feel? What is my connection to them? When it comes to my more commercial work with brands I want to be able to use the brand’s voice and my visual style to attract their ideal customer. Pops of color, dynamic posing, and styling that catches the eye are trademarks for me.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Filmmaking! I’ve always felt I have a story to tell
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Financial planning and budgeting so I can focus more on the creative end of my work. I’m good with numbers but I’d rather focus on literally anything else!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
A creative career is not a waste of time or a fool’s errand, it’s a worthy pursuit and you WILL succeed! When I was in high school I was an actor and I was super passionate about it, wanted to end up on Broadway and be a starrrr. While that didn’t end up being the path I pursued professionally, I needed someone to tell me that they believed in my artistic passions and that I could turn them into a successful career! I have wonderful and supportive people around me now, but finding that inspiration on my own for so many years made it difficult to invest as much time as I wish I would have in building a creative career for myself.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
The practical and legal side of the creative industries. I want to better understand how to write and read contracts and what the industry standard is for rates so I’m not undervaluing myself. People are shy when it comes to talking about money and legal business which makes it difficult to know how to protect yourself especially as a non-male creative!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking to take on bigger commercial fashion projects as a creative director as well as photographer and videographer. My goal is to combine compelling storytelling with stunning visuals that bring artistry to branding and marketing. I have experience handling all facets of production and would love to take on larger scale projects as a producer or creative director; more big picture roles. I’d also love to take on more music related work; music videos, album artwork, and marketing content. In addition to commercial work I’m trying to take on more editorial work and I am open to both paid and collaborative projects that have a stronger conceptual focus or an exciting fashion or beauty story.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client or collaborator is communicative, punctual, open to input, and friendly! I work best with clients who are able to clearly communicate to me what they need so that I can do my job efficiently and deliver a result they’re happy with. I care deeply about the satisfaction of all parties involved and the quality of my work. I love working with people who are willing to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. We don’t have to be besties of course, but I’m a people person and love to get to know my clients and collaborators as individuals so I can connect on a personal level (always within professional bounds) and understand their needs better. Time is money and working with people who respect that makes all the difference.
Q: What is your rate?
My lowest base rate is $300/hr for small projects, and unless the client is one person who wants to do an individual portrait session or headshots I require a minimum of two hours. For projects that require creative direction, complicated studio lighting set ups, set design, or that have increased production needs I generally charge a minimum of $1,000. My rates typically depend on the budget of the client, project specific needs, and the time commitment and are subject to change. My typical turnaround time is two weeks and I charge a $5/photo fee for one week and a $10/photo for rush turnaround. For usage fees when it comes to marketing materials or any work that will be used commercially I charge depending on the type of usage and the time frame.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Best way to reach me is either my email Izzydphoto@gmail.com or through my contact form on my website
I love when people introduce themselves and send me as much information they can about the project they have in mind or what they need. Please send budget, scope of the project, what I can do to provide them the best experience possible!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Makalya Booker @Brownsugadigitals — Photographer, filmmaker, musician - Great creative vision, very timely and organized, excellent person to work with and just fun to be around!
Patience Ojionuka @Patienceojionuka — Photographer - Excellent lighting designer, really fun style, professional and easy going!
Eliza Jouin @Elizajouin — Photographer - Cool visual style, has a great studio, works with a lot of fun artists
Saturn @Ourfatherzai — Musician, videographer - Super talented musician, experience shooting music videos, great network of creatives, super vibrant personality
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Absorbing other people’s creative energy and watching films!
This member profile was originally published in March 2025.