Meet Maggie Overbaugh | Photographer & Makeup Artist

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

Hi Maggie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk taking in a creative field is imperative in order to find success. Whats the one quote? Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised! No quote has ever resonated more than that as a photographer/mua. There’s these little sparks of ideas that every creative has , like a light switch has gone off. The only way to do those sparks justice is to take risks with the resources you have available . Not only will risk taking help perfect your craft, but it will also help you run instead of walk towards your goals. With risk comes failure at times, but its always better to try something and it not work out than to not try it at all. With such an oversaturated community in LA, its the risk that will make you stand out. It takes you outside of the box, it gets people to notice you, and it makes you incredibly proud of yourself when you pull off something that you were not completely sure was possible. Even your favorite big time photographers & MUAs are all just taking risks and hoping for the best! Take the risk!! Law of Attraction rewards you for trying- I promise.

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.
My art is primarily focused on the female/feminine experience. Feminine rage, joy, community, references to nostalgic movies or tv shows. David La Chapelle and Ellen Von Unwerth are huge inspirations for me. They express such emotions in their work , but also a sense of entertainment. While finding my niche has not been easy, but I definitely feel lucky for the path life has guided me to. There were days starting off that I would call off from a restaurant job in order to do unpaid work, just to network and get started. It took some sacrifice and there were days that I would cry and spiral- unsure if what I was doing was smart. If you are financially independent and pursuing creative goals- you know the feeling. You’re torn between doing the responsible thing or doing what your heart desires. While I’m not advising anyone to be reckless, I have been rewarded ten fold for my willingness to struggle in order to get to the bigger picture. Luckily, I am fully freelance now because I believed in myself and prioritized the things that could bring me a career. Put in the work, get your knowledge up, be kind, be open to hearing out collaborations. That unpaid work now might be your ticket to a big check down the road. Accept every opportunity that feels right, and the money will follow. My story is ever evolving, but I just do what feels authentic to me and sparks a fire inside me. The right audience will find you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a DTLA & Silverlake girl all the way! Silverlake Flea is a must on Saturday or Sunday followed by April 90s Something- My favorite Silverlake Thai spot. You gotta go on the swan boats at Echo Park at least once. Dont go super late though because the lights on the swans attract bugs. Learned that the hard way…. We’ll get some beautiful food from Yuko Kitchen in Downtown ( my fav is the Mermaid Roll!) after hitting the Last Book Store. We can stop at Green Qween on the way home for the best dispensary experience. If you’re going to a beach, you better keep driving up to Malibu or there’s no point. I love El Matador beach or Point Dume! Get up early and hit the Getty Villa on the way to the beach for a beautiful Greek museum experience. Its so lovely and free for entry! Its obligatory to go to Hollywood at some point- but we do a lil walk of fame and LEAVE! I love to go from the walk of fame to the Observatory right before sunset so you can see the view in daylight and at nighttime when you’re leaving. Gotta hit Little Tokyo for some fun shopping and go to Kura Revolving Sushi bar for the silly conveyer belt experience. Well be going go to Precinct DTLA for a night out (gotta check the schedule to see what Queens will be performing ahead of time). And we will be hitting Ascot Hills for a sentimental beautiful hike before I drop you off at LAX ( because thats what true friends do)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is so important to have a supportive community around you who understand your lifestyle, your passion, and your craft! I was lucky to get a job at a photo studio and learn so much from my coworkers who are such talented photographers. They taught me about cameras, lighting, and all the gadgets that come along with photography. I met amazing people who came in and out of these studios- some of who I now assist! Being able to assist photoshoots for big photographers/artists have really opened my eyes to a possible future for myself. Its taught me so much about the flow of being on set and networking. I thank all my friends who hype me up for each new photoshoot I do, and all the models and stylists who give me their time to make some whacky art with me. Finding community has been such a blessing, and I find myself filled with gratitude for the people who speak kindly of me in rooms I’m not in, recommend me for new projects, or let me join onto their teams. Its magic and I’ll never get tired of it.

Website: maggieoverbaugh.framer.website

Instagram: https://instagram.com/maggie.overbaugh