From model, to art director, graphic designer and now blogger, Steph Adams’ career has run the gamut of creative industry occupations. We spoke to Steph about the move from modelling to starting her own design studio and breaking into blogging. Here she shares her advice on building a loyal following as a blogger, how to create social media accounts people love and her time spent working for some of the biggest magazines and brands in the world.
RESCU: You’ve had an interesting career from model, to art director, to blogger extraordinaire! Can you tell us a little about the path your career has taken?
Steph Adams: I was approached by a photographer at my mothers wedding in Perth, WA to try out modeling when I was 16. I joined an agency and it sort of went from there. Modeling took me around the world and taught me a lot about fashion, beauty, a certain lifestyle as well as different cultures and people. I learnt very quickly what I wanted out of life. I still studied while I was modeling and finished my Bachelor of Arts Degree. At 26 I pursued a career in graphic design, it was then that I started working with Vogue and various other magazines and then worked my way up to Art Director and then Creative Promotions Manager at ACP. I met my husband in 2009 at a New Years Eve Party in Sydney and when he proposed 4 months later, I moved to London where I worked for many more of the magazines such as Marie Claire, Elle, British Vogue & Conde Nast Traveller. It wasn’t until I started working for Net-a-Porter online that I saw the power the internet had – it really blew me away.
RESCU: What made you want to start blogging and working for yourself?
Steph Adams: My husband and I were travelling a lot and I wanted a career where I could work from anywhere in the world. I had already started my own graphic design business on the side in 2008 and I was slowly building some really amazing clients that I thought, what if I could give them more exposure, so I started interviewing them on the blog and linking their brands, so it really started from there.
RESCU: What do you think makes a successful blogger?
Steph Adams: I think a blog is a reflection of your own personal style, so if you post what you love and keep it interesting then hopefully others will love it too.
RESCU: What does the average day in the life of Steph Adams look like?
Steph Adams: It varies from day to day. I could be designing for clients, to directing photo shoots, to attending events or meetings.
RESCU: Can you give us three stand-out career highlights to date?
Steph Adams:
1) Modeling for Vogue in Greece was quite a stand-out moment for me. I was dressed head to toe in Louis Vuitton
2) Working along side Natalie Massenett (Founder of Net-a-porter). I had been brought in to re-design all the page layouts of the entire magazine. My first day in a meeting and they told us we would be shooting Claudia Schiffer the following week. I almost fell off my chair.
3) Been asked to Art Direct at British Vogue after I returned to Australia, I flew back to London where I was working alongside Stephen Quinn (Vogue Publisher).
RESCU: Any career regrets? Be honest!
Steph Adams: I don’t think you can regret anything in life because every thing you do moulds you into the person you are and everything in life is a learning experience. It’s how quickly you pull yourself up and keep on going that gives you strength of character.
RESCU: Do you have any advice for women wanting to break into blogging?
Steph Adams: Yes, I think that most girls should find a career first and make blogging an extension of that. I do encourage all my clients to have blogs, but they already have a business that they have had for years. I’ve had young 16 and 18 year old girls talk to me about how they want to start a blog as a career and I think you need to have some sort of experience first. It’s really important to have expertise before and that takes time to accumulate. Follow your passion and study and then you will have interesting content to share with your audience.
RESCU: You’ve got some seriously impressive social media stats! Can you share any secrets to your social success?
Steph Adams: It’s really more about having interesting content thats going to make people happy and I think if you are posting what you are passionate about then others really respond well to that.
RESCU: We know the mag/web divide is something some bloggers have experienced first hand. How do you feel when you walk into a room of traditional ‘beauty editors’ at an event. Do you think they accept bloggers or do you find you’re more connected with other bloggers?
Steph Adams: I’ve worked in publishing most of my life so I don’t feel any different toward them or other bloggers. I’m no beauty expert by any means and I’m not trying to be one.
RESCU: Finally, what’s next for Steph Adams? Any career goals you’re still hoping to tick off?
Steph Adams: I’m just going with the flow. I’ve had a pretty amazing career ride already so I’m not complaining.
For more from Steph Adams: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
