Just like the Web, Instagram has its share of creative accounts (for this case instead of sites). Some of them are purely for fun and to be creative at the same time just for that nice side-project to have. We are sharing this quite interesting interview in collaboration with Bart Jaillet who actually met with Samantha Raye Hoecherl (the designer/actress behind the Instagram Account: @tasteofstreep). Let's hear her thoughts about how it started and how she grew up her Instagram account to more than 100K followers all about the famous actress Meryl Streep.
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Samantha Raye Hoecherl, I am a graphic designer and an actress. I was born and raised in South Florida, attended college for drama in Boston, and am currently a part-time acting student at a studio in Manhattan.
How did you started graphic design?
It's a funny/bizarre story actually. I don't think I've ever told anyone in an interview, but I just realized the very moment that I started working with photoshop. I've always loved the arts, I grew up painting and sculpting nearly everyday. However, I studied drama in college, so my visual arts career was reduced to doodles on pages while taking notes in class. After I moved to New York in 2012, I had some friends over for a party up on my roof one afternoon and we got on the topic of Rihanna's Instagram account. Her handle is @badgalriri, and my friend Peter (who had a bit to drink) kept accidentally calling it @baldgalriri. We decided to start our own parody account called @baldgalriri featuring our favorite Rihanna looks...but bald. So I got photoshop and am almost completely self-taught.
How did you decided to do graphic design of Meryl Streep? What’s your relationship to her?
I'm ashamed to admit it but I was actually a bit late to the whole "Meryl Streep" party. I was a big musical theater nerd in high school (think "Glee", but worse...if that's even possible), and once I went to college my world was rocked by the art of screen acting vs live theater. Both are still remarkable in my opinion, but I really love movies. There are so many great actors that I admire, but no one can deny that Meryl Streep is the queen. Be it actor, lawyer, or construction worker...everybody loves Meryl.
How do you work? What’s your creative process?
Everything is done on Photoshop. I feel like if I tell you what tools/process I use I'll lose all credibility haha. I'm really not that great with Photoshop, it's a true "fake it till you make it" scenario.
How did you get reach almost 100K followers?
That is a great question, because I honestly have no idea. A lot of people ask for advice and I can't really offer any...because really I gained a following based purely on luck. Social media has a lot of pitfalls, but a huge benefit is that your work is accessible to literally everyone with a cellphone. One repost from the right person, and you wake up with thousands of new followers. However, I do have some advice for making a name for yourself/gaining a following. Whatever work you put out into the world, do it for yourself. Don't try and fit the mold of what you think people want to see, trust yourself and your imagination...because it is enough.
How helpful has Instagram been for the rest of your career? How Instagram contributed to convert followers and likes into business opportunities?
Well I just got my first job that isn't nannying or waiting tables! I straight up posted a @tasteofstreep photo on Instagram and captioned it "pretty please someone in NYC hire me" and believe it or not, someone did!
Whatever work you put out into the world, do it for yourself. Don't try and fit the mold of what you think people want to see, trust yourself and your imagination...because it is enough.
We would love to give a big shout-out to Bart Jaillet for putting together this interview. Thank you Bart!
Check out her Instagram at /tasteofstreep.
