Tulip: Hey! Just wanted to talk to you for a bit, get to know you a bit better. I mean who can interview you better than me right? Tjul: Right! This is going to be fun! But before we start, just wanted to say that you look gorgeous! I mean… your skin is GLOWING!
Tulip: Thank you! Started using a jade roller on my face, to tightin' this moneymaker up! (grab mobile and starts scrolling) Tjul: So Rude! Who is texting you!
Calm down, I'm looking at my notes! Have my questions all lined up for you, let's start this interview. So...tell me who are you 'Tjul'? I'm a dreamer, magazine lover, late bloomer, creature of habit and I think in pictures.
I know you are a photographer/content creator and so good for a rookie! Tell me more about your work! Haha sure! Well let's go back for a minute….I followed a traineeship in 2016 at an energy system company in Amsterdam while getting my certificate in communication (Nima A). That year was all about starting over ( after working 8 years in healthcare) and learning new things. Figuring out my place between communication and marketing and deciding what the next phase was for me career wise…
I love a good career switch story! Continue… Yeah, so the next step was interning again! At the age of 28 mind you! Getting my communication certificate was step one...but I found an amazing group of people at agency/online mag: The VW concepts. That internship has led me to be a photographer and has helped me visualize where I want my work to be seen and with what kind of people I want to work with in the future.
Why is that important to you? You mentioned earlier that you think in images… Because images stick to your brain, and I love that medium! Think about 'Time' covers and stock images you see of a woman with her eyes closed getting a massage at cheap massage and nail parlors. It will attract you, spark interest or you'll say capslock NO to it. I am not a writer, more an observer and I let my images do the talking.
And with what kind of people do you want to work with? Who can knock on your door? People who need help telling their brand story, I think it's valuable when you bring someone new in and ask: 'Does my message come across?' Is my on-line presence and company 'N Sync?? Hahah! I want to create images that companies can use in their online marketing strategy but also put my own creative stamp on it.
But how can you stand out in this saturated world of social media? The algorithm is making it so hard.. Because nothing ever comes easy! And yes it is challenging to stand out, be unique etc. So many people are doing the same thing, but that's what makes it fascinating. Why does one clothing brand have a massive cult following and another one has subpar sales? And it's not only luck, it takes sweat to create a strong point of view and a following. That's why I want to put my passion for imagery into valuable content. I believe that there's space for everyone, experiment wisely and have fun with it!
A "How much do you REALLY want it” kind of thing… 100%!! I've listened to so many talks/podcast but there's not only ONE way to go about things...that is the relieve of it all. I'm pushing myself too, shoot more, do more, be flexible, continuously trying new things and failing...that is the only way. Know what you want, follow that energy of creativity. It's okay if you don't know everything, it's okay if you're sometimes scared and insecure. Just embrace the fear...sit with it, but don't let it control you.
Love that! So what's next? Well, I am starting my business and I am looking for new clients!
Bang! Bang! How do they find you? They can take a glance at my website here and ofcourse my instagram handle: @tjulip
Tjulip? That's not how you spell your name!? No it's not...that is how I want people to pronounce it and every 'Tulip' username ever is taken, so therefore TJULIP.
Okay TJULIP...any last words? Uhm, thank you for interviewing me..and for anybody interested in working with me, you won't regret it! No wait, that's a lot of pressure I'm putting on myself. I'd say, let's have a good talk, feed of each others vibe, when we align maybe magic will occur!
