New gen bosses is a new series created to guide and inspire more people to go out there on their own, either as new business founders or freelancers. And what better way to do that than to ask the ones that already succeed at it? We want to know about big fuck-ups and even bigger successes, and the risky decisions they had to make along the way. We want to be the last little push you needed.

Job title: Photographer
Industry: Advertising
Company founder or freelancer: Freelancer
How long have you been doing it: 8 years shooting, 1 year fully freelance
Age: 25
Location: New York City

I really wanted to bet on myself and live a life where I could create my own images and my own happiness! Seeing people my age from school and on the internet not only surviving but thriving as photographers gave me some courage as well.

My first steps were to double down on personal and editorial projects as well as letting people know that I was available for freelance work.

I think the riskiest thing I did was leaving my in-house dream job to pursue a freelance photography career. I was working on some fun projects at Sagmeister & Walsh, but I still felt the itch to take a chance and start my own photography career.

I did not have the slightest clue about business—taxes, accounting, net/gross, negotiating, all of it! I learned a lot by making mistakes, talking to people in the community and reading books.

When I was able to make both my studio and apartment rents with some cushion and not by the skin of my teeth, I knew this was all going to work out.

I started out with the cheapest lights that wouldn’t catch fire, props, a used Mark III & 24-70mm and a 600EX Canon Speedlite that was my overheating workhorse for a while.

My biggest fuck up was not charging enough and not communicating the value of my work enough. I think when you undervalue your work, you definitely lose out on money and confidence, but you’re also not communicating to your clients the value that you bring to a project.

My biggest success was fully taking the leap and becoming 100% freelance. I was working part-time at a photo studio to supplement freelance work and I was scared to jump into the unknown. It was a huge hurdle and I was super nervous but my work is now better for it and I had a great first year! I still went on travel assignments and built up my kit and studio while working with dream clients like Apple and the publication PDN.

Tons of stuff! But I’ll start with business—I think reading about the business of design helped me a lot and maybe I wouldn’t have had to learn as hard if everything had fallen into my lap a little sooner.

One: Don’t be afraid to shoot your shot! Let people know what you like, what you’re doing and that you’re available to blow their minds.

Two: Save! Budget! Save! Save for rainy days. Save for flash EQ and supply sales. Save for projects that pay shockingly late!

Three: Find your own path and keep going. I read somewhere that one of the most competitive things a business can do is survive.

Want to discuss taking the leap with other new gens? You’re in luck! We’ve created New Gen Bosses, a Facebook group to continue and expand the conversation started through this new series.

New gen bosses is a new series created to guide and inspire more people to go out there on their own, either as new business founders or freelancers. And what better way to do that than to ask the ones that already succeed at it? We want to know about big fuck-ups and even bigger successes, and the risky decisions they had to make along the way. We want to be the last little push you needed.

Job title: Photographer
Industry: Fashion and documentary
Company founder or freelancer: Freelancer
Company name: Cortex Creatives
How long have you been doing it: 4 years
Age: 32
Location: New York and Barcelona

What pushed you to start on your own?

Freedom in creativity.

What was the very first thing you needed to do to set everything up?

A vision, passion, a camera and a lot of inner-work.

What was the riskiest decision you had to take?

Move to NY.

What was a skill you didn’t foresee needing that you had to learn?

Being patient and meditate.

Everywhere around us, new gens are founding businesses and redefining their careers. New gen bosses is here to inspire those who might want to do the same, this time with extra tips, some lols from those who have been there, done that, and £20 in your new ANNA business account if you dare to take the leap.

At what moment did you realise that this was going to work out?

When I’m creating there’s something I feel inside that I cannot explain. I disappear and I am very present at the same time—when I felt that feeling.

What did you spend your money on?

On films and development, on my editorials and personal projects and on living, food, rent, all those things.

What was your biggest fuck up?

I did a shoot with damaged films, I didn´t notice it until I saw the result.

What was your biggest success?

Believing in me without judging myself or looking at other’s work, Instagram could be a big source of frustration sometimes.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then?

Countless things…the most important, who I am and what I want to say.

What are three tips you would give someone who wants to start on their own?

One: Believe in what you do with all your heart.

Two: Don’t look at what others are doing.

Three: Never give up.

Feel like you would have checked your films before doing a shoot? There’s only one way to find out. Take the leap, open an ANNA business card completely free of charge for the first 3 months and get £20 in it, too.

Want to discuss taking the leap with other new gens? You’re in luck! We’ve created New Gen Bosses, a Facebook group to continue and expand the conversation started through this new series.