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“Distinguishing between collaboration and unpaid labour”: Six creatives share their biggest career mistake

CURATED BY FASHION JOURNAL

“Doing something for the first time is hard. Doing something different to how it has always been done can be even more challenging.”

Working in a creative industry, you often only see the highlight reel of everyone else’s careers. The reality is, no one is killing it all the time. Making mistakes can be just as valuable as hitting those professional milestones. Here, the team behind Fashion Journal‘s latest print issue reflect on their biggest career mistake and what it taught them.


For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.


Honor Munro and Imogen Wilson, casting directors and producers at Mimi Casting

Doing something for the first time is hard. Doing something different to how it has always been done can be even more challenging. Striving to live and work by your values is even harder. But for us, it’s always worth it. Mistakes are inevitable, but they don’t define us – we should know, we’ve made too many to count. Learning to trust ourselves and know when not to compromise is what makes Mimi shine. As long as we continue to see through our egos, think collectively and lean on the community around us, what we can achieve is immeasurable.

@honorsworld and @it.girl.underworld

Kyle Archie Knight, photographer

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when starting a career in the creative industry is settling for ‘exposure’ instead of getting paid. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time when you will work for free because you’re learning important skills – you’re helping someone and they’re teaching you. But once you have this down, consider the value of your work and the kind of ethic you want to uphold. Ultimately, the people or companies relying on your skills need what you offer. If you’re the only one who can deliver it, stand firm on fair payment.

@kylearchieknight

Carol Green, model and dancer

In my career as a model and ballet dancer, my biggest mistake was listening too much to others instead of my gut instinct. While l valued feedback, l often let it dictate my choices. As a model, l have had so many wonderful experiences that l never thought possible in my late sixties. There’s also been disappointment, but I’ve learnt to take advantage of setbacks. Life without obstacles removes growth, and I’m growing each day. Each life experience makes us bigger, even though sometimes it’s hard to realise it at the time.

@carol_green_dancer_model

Lekhena Porter, photographer

My biggest career mistake was not distinguishing between collaboration and unpaid labour. In fashion, creatives often work together unpaid to build portfolios. Some of my favourite shoots were with friends just starting out, and we created work to showcase our skills. These shoots were mutually beneficial.

Around this time, I started shooting for brands that ‘couldn’t afford to pay’ but offered some clothing as compensation. Three times, I didn’t receive any. I realised that if you don’t value your worth, others won’t either. Years later, when I raised my fees with a repeat client, I apologised and she said, “You’re worth whatever you say you are.” That stuck with me, believing in your value is key.

@lekhenaporter

Lara Daly, features editor and makeup artist

My biggest career ‘mistake’ was following two very different paths, journalism and makeup. It was… confusing, but I pursued both, which meant learning to navigate two very different industries and honestly, two different identities. I often felt self-conscious that I hadn’t fully ‘committed’ to one (especially around other makeup artists and writers), but as I got older, I realised my unique skill set was a strength. Going after both passions meant my career progress was a slow slog but eventually, it all fell into place.

@lara.daly

This article was originally published in Fashion Journal issue 195, read it here.

For more stories on career mistakes, try this.

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