Today we’d like to introduce you to Felisha Gray.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always enjoyed taking “cute” photos of either my food or my outfits. Every once in awhile, I would upload these photos on Instagram for my family and friends to see, but I never uploaded consistently or attracted the attention of other people who also posted about my same interests. When I visited my first photo pop up, Flower Vault’s Fall 2018 Houston Installation, I guess you could say that my creative juices really got flowing. I brought extra outfits to wear for photos in front of the various floral walls so that I could get the most out of my visit. Maggie Gordon from the Houston Chronicle even interviewed me and my friend for a features story about people visiting Flower Vault for the sole reason of posting on Instagram. After that, I could not get enough of photo pop-ups because they provide unique photo opportunities to showcase my outfits all in one place. I visited TFTI and Color Social and even took a road trip to Big Bend National Park so I could take photos at a tipi we stayed at and at the Prada Marfa art installation.
Around this time, which was only earlier this year, I started connecting with other influencers and that is how I got sucked into the sphere of Houston creatives. Before this, I really did not know there were so many fashion, food, and lifestyle influencers in Houston. I felt that I have found my niche. I must thank my friend Christie (@outofofficechic) for inviting me to my first blogger event, a Galentine’s that she hosted herself. She was the first person to make me feel welcome in the blogger community and for that, I am forever grateful. After her event, more people took notice of my Instagram content and started inviting me to events for restaurant tastings, pop up openings, or other promotional events.
Flash forward to today, I continue to grow as a Houston creative by connecting with my followers and other creatives on Instagram as well as maintaining those relationships that I already have with my fellow bloggers, foodies, and store owners. To sum things up, I do what I do because it provides for me a creative outlet that both fulfills me and makes me happy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Lately, I have been struggling because my Instagram engagement has been so low and many times I tend to compare myself to others, which I know is not a healthy mindset. It is important to remind myself to be supportive of everyone in this community and to not place my self worth in numbers of likes, follows, comments, etc.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My interests span food and fashion. I do not consider myself a foodie even though I post food photos and attend tastings and such. Mostly I like food that looks pretty and I edit the photo to fit my aesthetic. Fashion has always been my first love. Generally, fashion is constantly evolving, but my personal style is always classic and feminine. My page features outfits that I wear to match the cutest “Instagram-worthy” places I can find in Houston.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
One of my closest friends, Richelle Lopez (@chellezs), is the genius behind the camera for the majority of my photos. She is always down to explore Houston with me and she never fails to get me the perfect shot. We joke around and call her my “Instagram boyfriend” or my “manager.” My content truly would not be the same without her!
My dear friend Christie (@outoffofficechic), as I mentioned before, is my first blogger friend! She invited me to my first blogger event, as I had mentioned before. Christie has encouraged and supported me from the beginning. I think every creative should emulate her positive attitude of inclusivity.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8323106015
- Email: gray.felisha@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiftyshadesoffelishagray/
- Other: https://www.liketoknow.it/fiftyshadesoffelishagray
Image Credit:
Richelle Lopez
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