Meet Abbey Pickett | Commercial Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abbey Pickett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abbey, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
One of the most important factors behind my success has been understanding what works for me specifically and not doing things a certain way just because others are doing them that way. We all have unique working styles and it’s important to learn how you as an individual work best. For example, I get really inspired and creative at night so I often stay up late and in result don’t get up as early. The world tells us successful people get up early, however that’s just not the rule for everyone, so acknowledging at what times and in what state you are most inspired, and leaning into that is a game changer.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After graduating from USC Film in 2019, I was faced with a decision- do I go work for a company and hopefully be able to utilize my creative skills or do I take the leap and start my own business where I will have the freedom to create on my own terms. I knew I wasn’t built for a 9-5 so I chose the life of an artist, however, it was not what I had expected. I began my career as a videographer, shooting weddings, documentaries, and corporate commercials, but when the pandemic hit and production shut down, I lost most of my clients. I had to figure out a way to adapt. I started shooting food photography for fun while in quarantine and over the course of the next year, that new passion turned into a new career. I began getting requests to shoot photo for all sorts of companies and industries, which has led me to where I am today. At the beginning of my career in 2019, I thought I knew where I was headed but life took me another way and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Being a photographer in today’s content-driven world is extremely exciting. The limits are continuously being pushed which allows for captivating and innovate art to be created. My personal style has come out of my love for bright colors and somewhat fantastic, yet nostalgic design. I love working with clean lines and geometric shapes that really make the subject pop. In many cases, I build my sets from the ground up, which allows for total customization and sets my work apart. I often joke that I probably should’ve become a woodworker because those skills make up half the job when it comes to many of my shoots, especially in the product industry.

I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t days where I doubt my career path and think it might be easier if I just find a job at a company where I’m not running around wearing 50 hats all the time in order to make anything happen. Being an entrepreneur is tough and you don’t wake up everyday with the same motivation you may have had at the beginning, but it’s consistency that creates success. My dad always told me that it isn’t about planning out your whole future in a single moment, it’s just about doing the next best thing and doing it well. That will lead you to where you need to be. It’s true that as an artist and an entrepreneur, you often cannot control what your career will become. It’s a life of adapting and reacting to how the world around you is shifting and that’s what makes it so exciting.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Love this question! I am definitely out and about mostly on the west side in Los Angeles, whether it’s walking my dog on the beach or driving along PCH and taking in the views. My friends and I love to hangout in Venice and grab a sandwich at Gjusta Bakery or walk around Abbot Kinney getting in our daily dose of matcha.

On Saturdays, we wouldn’t be able to pass up our favorite workout hosted by Motion LA and then head to the beach for some Silent Disco at sunset. Sundays are for the Brentwood farmer’s market and a stop at one of LA’s vintage flee markets to scout for new photoshoot props. I love to end the weekend by cooking a big meal at home for friends while drinking our new favorite beverages from The New Bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without the support of my parents, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pursue the unconventional route of becoming a freelance creative right out of college. Having the freedom to turn down a 9-5 and start building a business is all thanks to them.

Website: abbeypickettstudios.com

Instagram: abbeypickett.studios