1/2 -🌴☀️ Last week’s Henry Stewart Creative Operations conference in Los Angeles was a fantastic experience! This year's theme, "The Power of Change," resonated with creative operations professionals as a core part of our work.
Below is a recap of the Photo Studio Operations track, where key themes included community, communication, trust, diverse perspectives, and mentorship.
✨ Bimi Ibok
Embracing Ambiguity: Exploring Content Creation with Emerging Tech
Bimi kicked off the Photo Studio Operations track, discussing liminal spaces in relation to generative AI, which she calls “life’s waiting rooms”—transitional periods between two states. She shared three strategies for approaching AI with curiosity rather than fear: prioritize reflection and learning, embrace responsible experimentation, and promote communication. Bimi also highlighted key limitations of AI concerning the human experience, including lack of dynamism, authenticity, and true diversity, as AI stereotypes can be harmful. She emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool to collaborate with, not replace, creatives.
✨ Timothy Hogan
From Still Life to Cinema Robots: An Unconventional Journey to Creative Authenticity
Tim's session centered on “following your thread,” a personal journey to find and maintain creative authenticity. He urged the audience to “step away from the algorithm” and seek inspiration offline, avoiding the repetitive imagery found on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Tim emphasized the importance of building diverse teams, encouraging attendees to “bring together people with unique threads,” especially when experimenting and driving innovation. His closing challenge: What’s your thread?
✨ Kim M.
Sample Operations: The Unsung Heroes of Studio Efficiency
In her session, Kim Maxwell spotlighted the often-overlooked role of sample operations in the photo studio. She discussed how these teams are managed and emphasized the importance of fostering professional development. Sample operations offer an entry point into the studio, providing opportunities to engage with studio efficiencies, marketing, sales, and client relations, allowing team members to explore and grow into other areas of the studio.
.... to be continued in part 2!
#creativeopsLA #hsevents #photooperations #community
