We recently connected with Alison Hernon and have shared our conversation below.
Alison, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
After working in the industry for a long time, I decided to venture on my own and start my own Styling and Magazine (PhotoBook Magazine) business. PhotoBook, I targeted interests that I had such as sustainability, body positive, inclusion, travel, fashion and art. I didn’t have the know how or the resources to run a full magazine, but I knew my perserverance, determination and work ethic would be a winning formula. At the time I started the magazine, I built a solid relationship with an established celebrity photographer that could bring PhotoBook to the next level and same for a writing editor that had years and years of experience to uplift the writing. With this combination, I went full ahead and built this magazine with my heart and soul and it’s been a project I am proud of. And, my Fashion Styling career, I didn’t feel that catalog styling fulfilled my lifelong dream of celebrity styling, so I left a full time job, and with PhotoBook, I have been signed on with an agent.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder, owner and Editor-In Chief of PhotoBook Magazine. PhotoBook has been around for 5 years. I started it just as a platform to meet publicists but now I host very exciting talent on the covers: Avril Lavigne, Dita Von Teese, Alan Cumming and more.
I am also a Celebrity Fashion Stylist that just got signed on with Exclusive Artists last May and begun my work with red carpet styling.
Both jobs fulfilling dreams.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think organization and consistent dedication is very important for both Styling and PhotoBook. I have a lot of interns coming in just thinking about the creative aspect and wanting instant results. I have to say it’s a long hard road and keeping organized and persistent is very helpful. One of the biggest Stylists I worked for that styled A-list talent had all these systems in place of paperwork and strategies. At the time I started working with her, I didn’t know all of this was involved and it has helped guide me through my journey.
Second quality, I would say is passion, you really have to want to do this! It takes free work, bumps along the way and years to create a name.
Choosing relationships wisely and surrounding yourself with peopled aligned with your vision.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I wouldn’t say there was a book that impacted me, but movies, I tend to watch movies with real based stories on people that came from nothing and took years of dedication to get to their goal. I would suggest: Rudy, The Hill, Working Girl (not autobiographical), and Secretariat.
They all serve a similar theme of patience, dedication, passion and the determination to reach their dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eamgmt.com/alisonhernon
https://www.photobookmagazine.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/718blonde/
https://www.instagram.com/photobookmagazine/
Image Credits
Avril Lavigne by Ben Cope Omari Hardwick by Mike Ruiz Alan Cumming by Mike Ruiz Aubrey Plaza by Mike Ruiz Olivia Ponton by Mike Ruiz Kat Graham by Alex Dani
