Skandia Shafer
Skandia Shafer
Photographer / Creative Strategist
Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA
www.skandia.la
instagram @skandia
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a photographer and creative strategist based in Los Angeles.”
In 2012, I became the creative director of a local business called Handsome Coffee Roasters. In essence I was the creative department, which allowed me to develop and hone my creative skills, including design, photography and social media strategy. As a freelancer I’ve grown as a photographer, developing a style that is personal and unique. As a creative strategist I’ve designed marketing strategies and launched social media accounts from their infancy, growing audiences and generating engagement.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I shot and shot and shot. I took a thousand bad photos to learn how to take a good one. I found photographers I admired and asked them specific questions. They recommended books, shared their experiences and even invited me to join them on set. The more experience I had, the more I learned.
How do you stand out in your field?
Before going freelance, the first two titles I held were “Director of Marketing and Branding” and “Director of Brand Management.” My experience as a marketer is essential to informing the work I create. A cohesive visual identity is essential to marketing and my experience as a photographer and as a marketer has allowed me to flourish in understanding the visual language of marketing.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Developing my personal portfolio. I’m working on designing and budgeting my own beauty/lifestyle shoots.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is bright and clean. There’s so much vibrancy in life - that’s what I’m looking to capture.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
All I ever want to do is take more photos. But creative direction calls to me. I want to help brands develop their visual aesthetic across the board. I want to help them create a cohesive creative strategy. So often I see strong branding undermined by a creative choice that veered completely in the wrong direction.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
The hustle. I wish it was just a little easier to put my work in front of the right eyes
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I once read a tweet that said something along the lines of women’s work being stalled or hindered by housework. It’s hard to be creative on laundry day. Or when I walk into the kitchen and see a pile of dishes. If I could just get a little help on the daily chores, I’d be free to follow my creative pursuits.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I would tell myself to stop comparing my work to people who’d been doing it 10 times longer than me. I’d urge myself to embrace where I was at and enjoy the process.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I’d want to talk to a lighting guru, someone who’s worked with the best photographers of our time. I’d want to understand everything there is to know about studio lighting.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Lifestyle photography. I live to capture a moment and there’s nothing more exciting than working with someone who comes alive in front of the camera.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I was recently hired by menstrual care company to develop their visual aesthetic and provide feedback on creative direction. We executed two big photoshoots that really captured the essence of their brand. If I could do that job again and again, I’d be over the moon.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
Josh Telles is the most generous photographer I’ve ever met. Not only has he encouraged my work, he’s answered a hundred questions, loaned me equipment and allowed me on his sets. He’s enormously talented - you can follow him @joshtelles.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email me! Even if you're still figuring out the scope of the work, I want to hear from you.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I go on photo walks. Even if it’s just a walk around the block, it inspires me to find something worth photographing.
This member profile was originally published in x 2021.