What is Creative Play and Why You Need It
Creative Play Collaboration with Sara Mally (Photographer), Model: @alexxcarranzaa_ @photogenicsla, Creative Director: @my.unicorn.life, Wardrobe Stylist: @jmeisterstyle, Make-Up @katyhollandbeauty, Hair Stylist: @christina.roberson, Photo Assistant: @samanassefi and BTS Content: @lorenmally
What exactly is Creative Play? I've been throwing that concept around as if everyone knows what I'm referring to. But basically, it's a concept I discovered that incorporates freedom (aka free space in mind + body), creation, the soul (and the Divine), and collaboration. This creative formula has served me well during my career, and I didn't see the recipe clearly until two years ago. So let me take you back to that day—the day when it finally hit me.
My friend Sara, an extremely talented photographer and digital tech, reached out to grab lunch. As usual, I insisted that we must go to Kitchen Mouse in Highland Park. Sara and I met years ago when I was working as the Art Director for Orly International. We met on set as she was the digital tech assigned to our shoot. That day was stressful as hell. It was insanely hot, and anything that could go wrong pretty much did. BUT as with all trials and tribulations, there was an upside: Sara. She handled every bump with grace. She had each of our backs and went above and beyond the job at hand. Well, Sara stole a piece of my heart, and quickly we became friends.
Now back to 2 years ago. Sara was facing a challenge that most of us face along our life path. Do you continue to go with Plan B in your life? You know the one: "predictable" and safe. OR put all your chips in for Plan A? Making that hard right in hopes of traveling your yellow brick road. As someone who isn't too conventional (if you know me, then you know I am all about the adventure of Plan A) Sara wanted to get my insight on her challenge. Her goal was simple: she wanted to jump from doing digital teching to being the lead photographer on big commercial shoots.
The tricky part was that Sara found herself with many digital tech opportunities. (Note the above. Sara is a joy to work with AND gives 110%, so it's a no-brainer that she would develop a community that enjoys working with her.) But on the flip side, that work wasn't filling her cup. She still appreciated the digital teching work, but there was a longing for something more. She was at a crossroads. Stay the course of digital teching or hike the mountain of her passion: photography. To me, I could see it crystal clear: playing it safe would lead to the soul being bored, and the truth is playing safe isn't 100% guarantee. (See COVID-19's unexpected global impact.) So I asked Sara if she was down to take my advice and work with me.
Over snickerdoodle pancakes, we got clear on what baby steps were necessary for Sara to start the leap into Plan A and what needed detoxing to attract more of her dream. At the root, what was missing in her unique formula was a solid soul connection and expression of her creativity. AKA: to play and create–no big goal or project deadline but space to be free and creative. Which means perfectionism and the monkey mind must take a backseat. (That combo tends to trip me up when starting any project). In the last decade, most of our society programmed itself to hustle and be a girl boss. Still, at the cost of flexibility and time to just ground in the creation process with no expectations—something I too had discovered about myself along my life path.
What makes this story truly extraordinary is that Sara got to work on the steps we had discussed. First and foremost was creating that space for herself, which allowed the renewed spark of creativity to get going once again. She started to remember all the joy in creative play. Over time we decided the next steps would be to collaborate. I was itching to do something that wasn't my 9-5, and Sara was eager to get behind the lens to dive into some creative projects. Creative play was ready to blast off! What came from that work was beyond the work itself. It formed a community of creatives that wanted to geek out and enjoy the process vs. stressing about the "job" or the "client." Let me clarify, though: we did have goals in mind, but they were flexible. Meaning we followed the flow of the creative process and allowed it to breathe. To grow and become something more significant than we had imagined. Now, this is what Creative Play is all about. Letting the Divine participate in the creation process. Putting aside our egos, our perfectionism, and lean into the unknown.
I could go on and on about this idea, but I'll instead share the work that Sara and I created together. Along with the amazingly talented crew that joined us for the ride. I encouraged you to find your creative partners/community that have similar goals and promote freedom. Sara is that for me. She has shown up for herself and her dreams. She is in her journey of living Plan A and achieving more adventures along the path–even in a pandemic. It's so important to remember that you need to participate in your goals by doing the work. Plus, it makes the journey that much more enjoyable.
Are you at a crossroads in your creative career? In need of some insight and support? Sign up for my mentorship program and together We’ll craft your formula for creative play. If you prefer baby steps, start by signing up for my newsletter, Alchemy 333, where I provide inspiration, actionable exercises, and random stuff to help expand and spark your creative fire.
Check out Sara Mally's photography here and be on the lookout for more work Sara and I created together in my series of creative play where I breakdown the process of how the work came together.
Special thanks to the crew: Model @alexxcarranzaa_ @photogenicsla, Wardrobe Stylist: @jmeisterstyle, Make-Up @katyhollandbeauty, Hair Stylist: @christina.roberson, Photo Assistant: @samanassefi and BTS Content: @lorenmally