International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the many achievements of women, and among this inspiring group of female creators, there is no shortage of reasons to celebrate. Each female creator from the Sony Community has their own unique story of how they got their start, and through the following years of experience their knowledge has only grown. We wanted to get some of their best advice, so we asked them one question: "What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a female who is just getting started as a content creator?" Keep reading below for the exclusive advice from some of the best in the industry.
We asked leading content creators asked in the Sony community: "What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a female who is just getting started as a content creator?" See what they had to say.
What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to a female who is just getting started as a content creator?
"Lean into who you are and make content that genuinely interests you. It's easy to get swept up in chasing views and trying to make what's popular but for me, that always leads to burnout if I don't actually love what I'm making. If you stay true to who you are and enjoy what you're creating, it will stand out to others and feel much more meaningful to you." – Allison Anderson
"The single most important piece of advice I can offer is to make sure that your content carries a personal touch. Whenever I've dared to share something intimate, like a life experience, I've noticed a strong connection with my audience. They could relate to my work, seeing reflections of themselves. Embrace the risk, and don't hesitate to share your authentic self." – Endia Beal
Photo by Endia Beal. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/50-sec., f/5.6, ISO 800
"Trust your instincts and let that be your guide. Do what you believe in, even if others don't see what you see. You are your everything, so if you fail that's on you but if you succeed, that's also all you." – Nancy Borowick
Photo by Nancy Borowick. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1600
"To keep going no matter what and have the courage to just hit post. Life will sometimes give you lemons, as a content creator remember to add some sparkle and make lemonade." – Tomayia Colvin
Photo by Tomayia Colvin
"Trust yourself." – Katrin Eismann
Photo by Katrin Eismann. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/3.5, ISO 100
"The best advice I can give you is to connect with others who are on your same journey. Find ways to get in community with others who are trying to do something similar or who are also interested and passionate about creating content. You will love the energy you get from being around them as well as the knowledge from your shared experiences." – Sara France
Photo by Sara France. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/1.8, ISO 320
"My advice for young creators just getting started, is to embrace technology and develop a diverse set of skills to be impactful in many different environments creating more opportunities. Still photography, video, editing – invest in yourself!" – Jean Fruth
Photo by Jean Fruth. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/3200-sec., f/2.8, ISO 200
"My advice would be to have patience. It is absolutely crucial for any content creator. Try to focus on the process rather than just the end result. Enjoy the journey of creating content, learning new skills, and connecting with your audience along the way." – Jessica Hirsch
"My biggest piece of advice to anyone entering this space is to really dig deep and map out your ideal day as a content creator. There are so many unseen hours and deep work that happens behind the scenes. Everything from work-life balance to learning how to manage becoming more recognized, can have a profound effect on your rhythm of life. What content is natural and enjoyable to create for you? Does your passion run deep enough to weather the storms of life? Does the work your create feel like a burden when creating day after day? All of these questions are best confronted early in the journey to success." – Caroline Jensen
Photo by Caroline Jensen. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 50mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/14, ISO 160
Melissa Groo had several pieces of great advice, we couldn't pick just one!
"As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” You have a unique vision and soul. Lean into it. Staying true to yourself, and your particular form of artistry, may be something you’ve heard a thousand times before, but it’s for a reason. Authenticity has lasting power; imitation goes flat fast." – Melissa Groo
"Seek to learn from someone well-established and successful in your field. There is nothing like experience and wisdom to help you grow by leaps and bounds. Apprentice yourself to them if you can – volunteer your time as an intern or ask if you can shadow them for a day." – Melissa Groo
"Your integrity and credibility are everything. Don’t take shortcuts or cheap shots. Always be honest; always be kind. That will take you farther than anything else." – Melissa Groo
Photo by Melissa Groo. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 600mm f/4 G Master + 1.4X TC. 1/5000-sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600
"As women we are often underestimated because we are deemed not strong enough, not technologically-savvy, not interested in the macho culture of photography, or just simply because we are women. On my 30 year long career as a photographer, 20 of which have been as a professional, I have learned to lean into the fact that I am a woman and use that as a super power. Not only will being a woman make people take me for granted, so that I can then pounce and surprise everyone with what I am capable of doing, I also lean into my feminine power in storytelling. I am not interested in macho, action shots. I am interested in creating connections, building empathy, inspiring and fostering a sense of hope...all of which are powerful feminine attributes" - Cristina Mittermeier
Photo by Cristina Mittermeier. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II.
"Find your unique voice and stay true to yourself, regardless of the outcome. I truly believe that authenticity is key in building a genuine connection with your audience. Stay patient, humble, and enjoy the ride." – Monaris
Photo by Monaris. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/640-sec., f/5.6, ISO 125
"The single most important piece of advice I would give to a female who is just getting started as a content creator is to never be afraid to reach out to other women in the community. Being a woman in photography already puts you in an extremely small group, but it’s a very supportive one so there’s no reason to not put yourself out there. Reaching out to other women to build a community of support will only ever be an asset to your career. It’s a strong community and everyone is so open and willing to share their wealth of knowledge." – Tiffany Nguyen
Photo by Tiffany Nguyen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/125-sec., f/2.8, ISO 250
"Do not compare yourself with others. Instead strive to get better with each passing day. The only person you should be competing with is yourself. The rest will sort itself out." – Sapna Reddy
Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/20-sec., f/22, ISO 64
"You do not have to wait for inspiration, or even to feel like you’re skilled enough, to take your very best photos. All it takes is curiosity and a belief in yourself. Follow the littlest of inklings that lead you closer to the story inside. Allow yourself to be surprised by what unfolds when you let go of doubt and simply look through the lens at your world." – Taylor Rees
Photo by Taylor Rees. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. 30-sec., f/2.2, ISO 1600
"Create content for a rainy day. The most difficult thing I find with social media is to post when I’m facing challenges in my personal life. Creating more content than you need on the good days can carry you through the days when your heart or your health cloud your creativity." – Rachel Jones Ross
Photo by Rachel Jones Ross. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master.
"Find your story, what is it that you want to say and how can your content further that story. The best content is story driven content and it will lead you to finding a community that shares your same dreams, goals and passion for whatever you go with., and never underestimate the power of community, the beauty of social media is that it allows us to connect with people from all over this big, bright world in a way that wasn’t possible before, finding long lasting friends and supporters through share experiences is the best part about creating and sharing art." – Jess Santos
Photo by Jess Santos. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/40-sec., f/11, ISO 100
"My biggest piece of advice would be #1 VALUE YOURSELF & YOUR WORK. If you don't, no one else will. To be honest, I really struggle with the label 'Content Creator.' It makes us sound like we're these machines that just churn out 'content.' It's just a generalized term meaning someone who creates digital material. I think this label is starting to gain a negative connotation or a meaning for lesser valued work. So maybe it's best to get more specific on how we want to define ourselves in a more valued way, for example: Are you a photographer or cinematographer who is also a social media expert and has Influence, but also creates fine art prints? Are you an educator who creates valuable and viral video work that shares your knowledge? Get more specific on what you do, what is the craft or crafts you're the expert in, and what is the value you bring, and in doing so, you will be more valued and hopefully stick out from the sea of content creators." – Charlee Wild
Photo by Charlee Wild. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/2.8, ISO 2500
"The tides are turning, but this is still a field largely dominated by men. There may be times when you are looked at as not enough or not capable by others, but you MUST not believe these assumptions yourself. Trust in yourself, trust in your craft, participate in programs like Sony Alpha Female+ to help build strong communities of support around you, and success will follow. You got this!" – Autumn Schrock
Photo by Autumn Schrock. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/6400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100
"Look inward more than outward, and make the work you love, not what you see others making. You have a unique perspective that you can bring to the world and you should embrace it and share it fully." – Monica Sigmon
Photo by Monica Sigmon. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master.
"Every artist is a creator of gifts that someone else needs to receive. When you create something new, ask yourself: how can this be a gift for someone? Who needs to see it, and how can I positively impact them when they do? If you feel a pull to distance yourself from the idea that what you do is a gift, remember: you'll never touch everyone with your art, but you can touch one person, and that is more than enough. Speak to that person whose life would be positively impacted by your particular brand of individuality." – Brooke Shaden
Photo by Brooke Shaden. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master.
"One piece of advice I would give to a female who is just getting started as a content creator is to network. Networking helps in so many ways, from connecting with other creators to find inspiration, to making new connections and relationships, to opening the doors for new opportunities. You just can never go wrong with networking, in any dimension." – Shauna Wade
Photo by Shauna Wade. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/1600-sec., f/4, ISO 100