Meet Hilary Sloane | Artist, photographer, journalist, creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hilary Sloane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hilary, how do you think about risk?
Being true to yourself is taking a risk. We may not be safe if we honor our desires and personal direction. I haven’t played it safe. And in hindsight, it’s not about winning or losing. There is no end to being true to yourself. There is only a continuous path of self-discovery.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve done a lot of different things over the years. I was a photo stylist and costume designer for advertising, editorial photography, theater, and independent film. I designed costumes and won a Drama Logue award. I costumed for small theaters, did makeup, and taught makeup for film and stage. Most recently, I have been a documentary photographer and journalist. I’m a radio reporter for a local station in Joshua Tree, Z107.7fm. And I designed and renovated a homestead cabin and garage to become a rental and my home. Success is living the best life you have. Getting up in the morning excited about the prospect of the approaching day no matter what it looks like. I’ve created a beautiful place for myself in the desert that supports my creative life in all ways. I’ve traveled a lot, won various awards, and had unusual and exciting experiences, but it is never over. I’m just beginning.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots include my favorite people and take into account the people I’m hosting. I love introducing friends to other friends. If someone loves music, the Morongo Basin has a rich musical community. If my visitor loves to photograph, countless exciting places like the Dunes in the Mojave Preserve, the Marble Foo Dogs on Amboy Road, the Salton Sea, and the Joshua Tree National Park make great locations. I love hanging out at home, waking to light streaming in the wall of windows and watching the wildlife like Jack rabbits, cotton tail, roadrunners, and squirrels vie for attention and food. Azure in Desert Hot Springs, with a pool, spa, and spa treatments, is a great way to spend the day. I like the little restaurants in the high desert, from Tiny Pony to the Saloon, to Crossroads. I love cooking at home and eating on the deck as the sun goes down. The desert’s quiet and vast space is unbeatable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Artists are inspired by those who have walked before and alongside us. I’m also indebted to strangers. I always meet people who say the one thing I need to hear at that moment; it could be as simple as a hello or as complicated as a long conversation in a grocery store line. I had terrific support from my aunt and uncle on my mother’s side. Larry and Gretel were not conventional, and even when they didn’t understand what I was doing, I always got unconditional love. Most recently, Christina Force, a photography consultant, has inspired me to look deeper, figure out what photography means, and discover my voice.

Website: www.HilarySloanePhotography.com

Instagram: HilarySloane2

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarysloane/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

Image Credits
The portrait of me (first one) should be credited to Sandra Goodin Photography.