Amanda de Cadenet is a woman always trying to change the world’s perspective. She started out as a TV show host in her teens (“Out of necessity,” she noted. “I had just come out of juvie as a 15-year-old, and I was trying to find my independence as a young adult”), discovered photography, and now runs Girlgaze, one of the most exciting communities out there for young female-identified photographers. It not only showcases work from shutterbugs from all over the world but also helps connect emerging talent with freelance work and hosts IRL gallery shows — in other words, creating dream opportunities for artists on the verge of hitting it big. On the heels of releasing her new book, #Girlgaze: How Girls See the World, which she curated with her team from the community’s wildly popular hashtag and launching Issue 1 of Girlgaze’s new digital zine featuring cover star Willow Smith , Amanda sat down with College Fashionista founder Amy Levin for the latest episode of CF Office Hours to talk about everything from female empowerment to creative burnout.
Amanda is no stranger to mentoring young women and firmly believes that the best advice is “Don’t take no for an answer,” so this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for an instant dose of girl power. “It took a long time to be taken seriously in this industry,” she explained of her trajectory. “I think determination is very important when following a creative career path.” She is also a firm believer in turning “failures,” which she defines more as a feeling than a fact, into major learning experiences. Photography, she noted, “is an industry that relies on your own creative instinct, and you need to trust that instinct. It sounds harsh, but learning from your mistakes is the best way to hone your skills, and finding out where your strengths lie. Tenacity is key.”
Listen now to learn even more sage advice from Amanda, and tell us in the comments who you want to hear next on CF Office Hours!
Featured photo by Cedric Buchet.
