Meet Lily Soleil Correa Lewites: Photographer, Model, Makeup Artist and Event Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lily Soleil Correa Lewites and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily Soleil, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’d like to think risk has been a choice I have always tried to include in my life. However, a lot of it was probably accidental. The reason I like to think that I have chosen risk, is because I thrive off it. When I make a risky decision, like everyone else, I second guess it and experience anxiety over the it. When the anxiety settles though, those become the rewarding choices. I often create the best work when I have chosen to be strange, to embrace the obstacle rather than pushing it away. My styling, angles, makeup, hair, and location decision are always outside of what I know. It’s where I produce the best outcomes, and perhaps thats not an objective truth but I’d still embrace risk over getting used to how I create, even if its never objectively better than staying the same.

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.
What sets me apart from others is my experimentation. I am multi-disciplined in various different creative mediums and that makes me very good at creating an entire production surrounding someone’s vision. I started with photography, then modeling, event coordination, set design, networking, videography, film making, journalism, design and now makeup. It started in my youth, being active in as many collectives and programs that involved the arts. Continued that in high school and college. Theres always criticism towards multi-disciplinary artists. The worry that if you are good at everything, then you’re great at nothing. I don’t think that’s true and even if so, I would rather know more about other creative mediums than to only know mine because it makes me that much more adaptable and better at leading a creative project. I wouldn’t say I overcame this worry, but I just embrace it. It helps to have people believe in everything I try, no matter how different it is from my last attempt. I would like to be known as ambitious, but knows when to give up, as talented but imperfect, as skilled, but willing to learn from others.

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.
With COVID, alive and well, I would say, the best spot in the city is at home. Maybe the beach, for a walk, with a mask on. Hang tight everyone, we’ll be in this a while. And remember, its not about fear, but responsibility towards others to stay safe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Picture Party was where I became the artist that I am. Although I started it, my thanks is dedicated to the people who showed up. They are my friends, family, and creative acquaintances through whom I explored and expanded with. Picture party was a safe space that allowed me to take risks about the things that interested me. I was able to wear as many hats as I felt like, and it allowed me to make mistakes along the way and learn from them. I was able to work with others and experience other people’s work to a capacity that I never imagined. I credit Picture Party for the person I am today.

Website: selfbysoleil.com

Instagram: instagram.com/selfbysoleil

Facebook: facebook.com/Selfbysoleil

Image Credits
Headshot for Article by Brigitte Park All other images taken by me @selfbysoleil