Vivien Killilea Best : Taking Inspired Action

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Vivien Killilea Best is a photographer with over 13 years of experience photographing celebrities, actors and athletes for household brands.

Website:  www.vivienphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/vivienkillilea

• Podcast Resources mentioned:  

Jenna Kutcher’s, Goal Digger podcast 

Business of Photography podcast. 

Digital Photography life podcast 

Master Photography podcast

• Actions to take 

Episode Transcript available

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Transcript

Intro : Yo! Welcome to the party! Hello! Makadini. Salibonani. My name is Vongai and you’re listening to ZimExcellence, a weekly celebration of Zimbabwe’s changemakers and trailblazers. So here’s the secret y’all Zimbabweans are actually DOPE AF and it’s just time that we recognize it. So grab yourself a plate of sadza, grab that Stoney ginger beer and let the party begin!

Vongai : Welcome to another episode of ZimExcellence. Today, my guest is a photographer who was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She has over 13 years of experience photographing celebrities, actors and athletes for household brands. She's basically a visual magician, y'all. And also, she's hella booked and busy that once we're done with this session, she has to rush over and do like an amazing gig. So it's I'm just so glad that she's here to spend some time with us. So please welcome Vivien Killilea Best.

Vivien : Thank you so much Vongai. I'm so excited to be a part of this.

Vongai: I'm so happy that you're here. I just love that you've either photographed everyone's favorite or you're just destined to. So my burning question, which everyone is probably wondering, is have you shot Queen Beyonce yet? 

 Vivien: Oh my gosh, you know what's funny is I actually have not photographed her yet. But I've done some work for RocNation, obviously her husband's record label and she’s been at several of those events or encounters. So I've been like this close to her. But actually, she's never been put in front of my camera. You know, she's very, very supportive of Jay Z. So it's been. Yeah, we've had little conversations here and there, but unfortunately, never got to photograph her. But I am dying to one day.

Vongai: Like not yet. We just need to like manifest you doing RocNation Brunch, if you haven't already. And like  

 Vivien: I've done it. I shoot the RocNation 

Vongai: Oh you have? [laughs] That is so awesome. 

Vivien: [laughs] Yeah! If you go to my Instagram, it's like, I think the third one on my my page there. Yeah, that's actually, that's a party! Like I love shooting that one too. Everyone at that party is just there to have a good time. And yeah, she's always there. She actually has this dedicated photographer Kevin Mazur. And she He's like, the it's always me and Kevin Mazur. It's actually Kevin Mazur’s account. And he brought me on. But Kevin Mazur is her guy. So she's like him and him only type things. So hopefully, hopefully one day maybe Kevin will take a sick day or something. And I'll get to take her photo at the brunch.

Vongai: I love that so much. So let's get into your origin story. Because you are a ZimExcellence superhero. And every superhero has their origin story. So you were born and raised in Zimbabwe. And now you live in Los Angeles. I'd love it if you could share how you got from point A to point be like a little bit about your life in your childhood in Zimbabwe to where you are now or at least to when you moved to Los Angeles. 

Vivien: Yeah, no, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. So I was born and raised in Harare born at Avenues clinic. I went to Convent for Junior School 

Vongai : Wait I think I was born in the same place.

Vivien: No way!  

Vongai: Was it called? Was it in Mbuya Nehanda hospital before? 

Vivien: That is a good question. That sounds really really, really familiar. I think it might have been 

Vongai: Or maybe that's now Parirenyatwa. I don't know. I mix them up. I'll figure it out later. 

Vivien: We’re gonna have to look that up. I definitely prefer the name Mbuya Nehanda especially with the film coming up. 

Vongai: Yeah. Yeah.

Vivien: Yeah. So I was born in Harare, I went to a Convent, Junior School. And then I went to Arundel and I always always knew that I wanted to do something in the creative sphere. My parents were always very supportive. So I chose a university in Los Angeles that I wanted to go to. And it's funny because although my parents were very supportive when they heard Los Angeles they were like, no way you don't know anyone there that sounds like a very bad idea. But I was stuck on it. I was like, No, this is this is definitely where I want to go. And in order to help convince them, I was kind of looking into every avenue I could and I found a scholarship actually in directing that I was able to get which I mean it which helped a lot with the school fees and stuff like that, like obviously, I still had to pay for accommodation or my parents helped me out with that and stuff like that. Went to school there.

They finally gave in. It was definitely a rough start to begin. You know, I feel like it is very difficult going from the close knit community that's Zimbabwe is to kind of been thrown in the ocean.You know, not knowing anyone. But I feel like I just stayed very, very focused on my studies, very focused on my goals, managed to actually graduate a year early. Because I was so, so, so keen to just get out into the working world and see what I could do. And yeah, kind of just went from there, I feel like I was always really, really big on making things work for me. You know, again, like I said, I didn't know anyone in Los Angeles, but I was like, I'm not gonna let that stop me. I'm not gonna let that get between me and what I want to do. So I was very, very strong about just getting myself out there and introducing myself to the right people in the right context and situation. And I'd say, Yeah, I feel like that's why I'm at where I'm at 13 years later, shooting the RocNation Brunch and stuff like that. Y’know. So yeah, that's kind of my story in a nutshell. 

Vongai: That's like, absolutely amazing. So when was the first time you actually picked up a camera? Even if it was like a toy camera, because I have photographs of myself with like a toy camera. And like, that's so funny. I was destined to be in filmmaking. Yeah. [laughs] 

Vivien: Makes so much sense, yeah. [laughs] Definitely. Um, well, my grandfather was actually a very, very keen amateur photographer. And it's funny, I say amateur, but I feel like he actually had more equipment than me and was literally always shooting. So I remember being very fascinated by that and learning a lot from him. And I actually have all of his photography gear. He since passed away. So yeah, he left it to me. And it's a it's a film camera, and it's sitting in my closet, and I busted out every time I get the opportunity. But yeah, I'd say the first time was sort of just tailing and watching him. And I feel like I probably got the bug around 10 years old. There's this park in Zimbabwe. Ballantyne Park. Ballantyne Park, I remember, we were walking around there, and all of the kids were playing and having a good time. And I remember I was just looking at like, streams and flowers and landscapes with my camera. So that was the first time I remember. I think that was the moment I fell in love with photography. 

Vongai: That is so awesome. And did you feel like you encountered any cultural shock when you moved to. Coming from Harare, straight to Los Angeles? 

Vivien: Do you know what I will say actually, which I think is so interesting is

I feel like people think moving, or there's this perception or the story of this narrative that people moving from Zimbabwe to America, you know, have so much to learn. And I don't know, maybe have blinders on? Or you know, but I actually found the opposite. I found one of the big culture shock moments for me was I found that a lot of American kids my same age, I hate to say this, but they were so much more sheltered than us. You know, I feel like we grew up in a time and in a country where we had like, heated political discussions, we grew up with a lot on our plate, you know, and I almost feel like when I got to university in America, I mean, I, I almost felt like I was like, five years older than a lot of the kids, you know, and like, they would of course, jokingly ask all the silly questions like, oh, did you live in a hut? Or did you ride around on zebras and stuff like that? And it's just so funny, because I was, I feel like for a long time, I was craving those deep, meaningful conversations I would have. And I know that takes time, but I feel like even on a surface level with other Zimbabweans, you can really get in deep and you can talk about some meaningful things. And I just feel like that's something that Zimbabwe really provides for you as a child. You know, I don't know if you had any kind of similar experience.

Vongai: I'd say, so I grew up in a lot of cities. So Harare, London, Beijing. When I moved to New York, I thought I would have culture shock, but it just made sense to be there. I'm like, Oh, yeah, I belong here. This makes sense. 

Vivien: Right? Hmm

Vongai: Especially because it's such a melting pot of different cultures. So there's still a lot to learn, but it just, it doesn't seem like. Like oohh, this is like, different. I don't know. And I think also being exposed to a lot of American television and media growing up as well. I feel like I spent my life studying up on American culture. And so then you get to, to New York, which itself is almost like a bubble and very different from a lot. It's like very different, at least from the south of America. That like in New York, anyone is welcome. It doesn't matter how weird or unconventional or even normal, there's no such thing as normal. People are like there is a place for everyone in New York. There's a community for everyone in New York. So I was more surprised at how at home I felt when I moved. 

Vivien: I can see that I can see that. Absolutely. Absolutely. New York City is a great place for sure.  

Vongai: But I definitely do agree. I often did find that my American counterparts and even some other non-Americans, immigrant friends, were very sheltered. I was like, Oh, yeah, like this. This is okay. This is this is a lot for you. Oh, this is? This is nothing for me. 

Vivien: Oh, my gosh. Absolutely. Absolutely. I completely hear you. Yeah, like challenging city situations or, or what have you. I feel like people are always surprised possibly at how chill we are. You know? Yeah, it's just because look, there's so much worse.

Vongai: Oh, yeah. So like, you know, growing up, like the electricity is gone, or this or that, and all the political stuff that was going on. I think it's also that I find and being an immigrant and having parents who sacrificed so much and helped me out so much, that when you're in that position, and you're going to school, abroad, you have nothing to lose, you're like, it's now or never, and I get the sense that that's how you felt, when you say that. You were like, I'm putting myself in front of all these people. I'm like, I've got nothing to lose. I'm graduating early, like all of that.

Vivien: No, you're completely right, you're completely right. That's exactly how I felt, I felt like I had absolutely nothing to lose, I felt like the only thing I can be afraid of is not trying, you know, the worst that can happen is a no. And it's like if you approach people, I mean, without being annoying, you don't want to just like, walk straight up to like Jay Z and be like, hey, I want to shoot your party. But it's like, it's other kind of routes, you know, like connecting with other photographers connecting with other filmmakers and kind of like, you know, seeing where that path leads you. And I don't know, I almost felt as well, like I had maybe something to prove to myself, you know, like, I feel like I gave up so much gave up being around my friends, many of whom were at Rhodes. I feel like I'd sacrificed a lot. And I felt like I needed to justify that I needed to say, Hey, this is for me, not even like to prove to anyone else. But just to prove to me that I could do this, you know.

Vongai: What was one of your first like photography gigs? Was it like I know, for me, in the film world, or the acting world, at least, I did a lot of student films and short films where they say, We'll pay you an IMDb credit, or we'll pay you in snacks, pizza, whatever. 

 Vivien: Absolutely, absolutely. Well, I think what I love about photography is the fact that it's so easy to execute to, you know, it's it's so easy to just like grab and go with your friends and say, hey, let's do a photo shoot, let's try this. Let's try that. And, you know, everyone loves that, who doesn't love a good photo shoot? Guy or girl, you know? So I remember when I first got my camera I just tried, I just practice, practice, practice as much as I possibly got. And I'm talking my first like, proper  DSLR camera like, this is your investment, you know. So I was definitely always grabbing my friends and trying different things and experimenting, you know, kind of pushing boundaries. And there were a lot of failures along the way, I look back at some of those photos. And I laugh so much, just at how far I've come, you know, style wise. But you know, the practice is invaluable because it takes you you know, you, you learn you learn what works for you, you learn what your style is you learn how to quickly use your camera and think on the go. But yeah, at the beginning, it was it was any friend who would let me use my camera with them. 

 Vongai: It's like amazing, because not only are you a photographer representing Africa and representing Zimbabwe, you're also a female photographer. A lot of the times when you tune into award ceremonies or whatever, you're just seeing a lot of men there. And like not that you're part of this group of people. But like when I'm in New York, and I'm seeing groups of paparazzi, I'm seeing a lot of men.

 Vivien: Oh, yeah, absolutely. No, it's very male dominated, that's for sure. I feel like all of my counterparts, so most of my counterparts are definitely men, you know, so it's, it's fun, you know, in my opinion, I feel like it puts a little edge on me, I feel like I stand out a little more because of it. So I, I love it. I appreciate it. You know, and I definitely want to see more female photographers that would get be great to have some more colleagues. But I know that that will come in time and it is it is happening. 

Vongai: So it's just so because of that it's just so impressive how far you've come. And the fact you know, like he said it's taken 13 years it's not always the easiest start. Even if in our industry, everything is painted as like glitz and glamour. But then you get to a point where now your photographs are everywhere. You go on to Entertainment Tonight or People or Hollywood Reporter and then the viral photograph that you took as well. Like, how does that feel to be? Oh, like, do you ever look back to younger Vivian, and you're like, Oh, we did this. All those times that we were like, sad. And we didn't know how we were going to make it through like we got here. 

 Vivien: Oh, my gosh, it's so funny. I feel like I don't look back that much. I feel like I'm always looking forward. You know, I'm like, Okay, what next? How do you push yourself a little further? You know, how do you I feel like a conversation I have with myself a lot right now is what? What will make you happy moving forward in your career? You know, so I'm definitely figuring that journey out. And definitely looking to the future instead of looking behind me, you know, and it's funny because I, you know, I think I know, the viral photo, you're talking about the one of Jennifer Aniston and the Brad Pitt reunion about a year ago.

 Vongai: Yeah 

 Vivien: It's funny, because as much as I love that moment, and it was so much fun, and it's so great, I guess, to look back on I also think, like, Okay, how is this gonna serve my career moving forward? Because I've definitely been shooting more and more commercial and advertising work, which that doesn't necessarily go hand in hand in. So it's just funny kind of putting it all together. You know, of course, I'm proud of it in a way, but at another way, I'm like, does that serve me now? 

 Vongai: So, yeah, I think that's a really cool perspective to have. Like, we have this whole thing and acting about releasing auditions or just releasing the last project you did, because you're like always growing as a person. So it kind of makes sense that you'd be like, Okay, what is the next thing to do? That way? You're always challenging yourself, and you don't feel like

I don't know you're getting into a rut or you're plateauing because you're like, Okay, I have this next goal to work towards, which is really interesting. 

 Vivien: Absolutely. Absolutely.

 Vongai: How have you ever been able to cultivate a sense of community, whether it's like artistic community or is involved in community?

 Vivien: Definitely, definitely. I mean, I have a group of Zimbabwean friends here and we get together. In the free COVID world anyway, quite frequently for sadza and we're always staying and sharing Zimbabwean jokes and memes and stuff like that. So yeah, I have a great group of Zimbabwean friends here who were so encouraging and so supportive, and it's nice just to like, go visit their house and like feel at home. Like my one friend David, his mom lives with him. So it's great to kind of like, see her and I just feel I feel very grounded when I'm around her because we. David always teases me, but I sit on the ground next to her and I feel I just feel like I'm right back home. You know, it's, it's, it's great having that community. But no, that's a good point you bring up. Because I feel like it's definitely something you have to cultivate for yourself, you really have to like, I don't want to say find that balance, because there is no balance. But I feel like you have to do the work, you have to make the time you know, it's like, if you're working six days a week, you have to get up on Sunday, and go visit your friends and be with them. And you might want to just like be in bed and watch Netflix, but you have to think about what's gonna, you know, serve you the most and what's going to give you the most satisfaction out of life. So it's definitely, it's consistency and effort. You know, it's making sure that you're checking in and participating in the community as much as you are part of it.

 Vongai: It's definitely really tough because, like, you know, it, it takes a whole village to help you out with where you are. So in the beginning, I feel or at least for me, I started out with this village, and then you start to get super busy and you start to book because of the help from the village. And now you're like, like you said, balancing out that time to be like, Oh, I'm busy, but I also need to make time for my village. Yeah, because it's not only like, it's like self nurturing, and also nurturing them as well. Like you're giving back to them in a way. 

 Vivien: Absolutely. Absolutely. That participation. You know.

 Vongai: What do you wish more people were aware of when it comes to like the industry or what you do or just the journey like this artist journey that you've been on? With it’s ups and downs and rollercoasters.

 Vivien: Oh gosh. You know, I wish people would realize how much work it is. You know, I feel like a lot of people see you know, my Instagram or my website and it just looks like it came so easily. 

 Vongai: Yeah, it looks like a magazine. You're like, Oh, she's fabulous. Oh my gosh, I’m scared to talk to her. [laughs] 

 Vivien:  [laughs] 

 Vongai: Like y’all, I was scared to talk to Vivian and she's literally the nicest person ever.

 Vivien:  Oh my gosh, thank you Vongai. [laughs] Um, yeah, no, it's it's a lot. A lot of work. I just I feel like people don't always completely see that side of things. You know, it wasn't, it wasn't luck. It was a lot of putting myself out there putting myself you know, like I said earlier in uncomfortable positions, if not uncomfortable, but just like having the courage to talk to people follow up with people when I met them. You know, it was it was a lot of work. And honestly, it was a lot of sleepless, sleepless nights as well, because I remember when I first started my career, that was back in 2007. So gosh, 13/14 years ago, now.

 I started out editing other photographers photos, that's, you know, a really solid, normal kind of starting point for a lot of photographers, and the deadlines are brutal, you know, a photographer will finish the shoot at like, let's say seven o'clock at night, and you have to edit and deliver these images to whatever the client asked for, which is often often by the next day. So I remember there were so many times when I would. Sometimes I would overload myself a little bit and, you know, take take content from like two photographers on one day, which would mean that I was up until four or five o'clock in the morning editing photos. And I remember my now husband was like, Vivien you gotta slow down, you're gonna kill yourself, you know, you're just not sleeping. But I just, I just wanted it so so, so, so bad. I wanted a good career I wanted, I loved photography, I wanted to, I wanted this path for myself, you know, and I knew that I knew that it wouldn't come easy, you know? So I feel like a lot of people don't see all of the legwork that I put to get where I am, you know, all of the often missed vacations with my family, and just 

 Vongai: What is a vacation? We’re artists, what are vacations. Someone explain this to me.

 Vivien:  It's so true. And I mean, I know there's a lot of like silly hashtags like, oh, team, no sleep or this and that, but it's like, it's, it's it's different from that, because I feel like I was, at the time so busy that I didn't even have time to be on social media, hashtag it. Oh, look at me, no sleep. I was just doing the work, you know. And consistency, consistency, consistency. So I think that's something I wish people realized. But it's not just something that landed in my lap. It's something that I actively pursued. 

Vongai: When you like, if there are those moments? Well, obviously, we all have these moments, when it feels like you're you're hitting a wall or you're in a drought, you're in a dark night of the soul. What tools or how were you able to remind yourself of your why and like to keep going and to move? Keep moving forward? 

 Vivien:  Oh, my gosh, that is a great question. That is a great question. I mean, I think COVID was such a hard time for all of us, you know, and work. Gosh, I mean, I remember I was booked up for the entire year of 2020. Literally in March, I was booked out until December and then COVID head and literally within a five day, a five day period of time, everything cancelled. All of my clients were like, Hey, this is not good. We're gonna have to like put on pause or scratch or delay till next year, you know, I think, here in the States, people realized how bad it was really fast. So that was a huge shock to the system. I really, really at the time felt like oh, my goodness, I've put in 12 solid years of work, I had everything lined up and now it's all gone. Like, what do I do? Where am I at? You know, and I feel like that's where, again, I leant back on my community, I leant on my husband. And I thought to myself, like, okay, even if work is on hold for the next one year, two year, three year, four years, at least, I still have my grounding place, which is my family, my community, my friends, you know, it might not be in person. But I think I was, I think the fact that I still made efforts with my relationships, even in the busiest time periods of times. Made it so I had a good kind of grounding point when things got really rough. 

 Vongai:  Yeah, 2020. And this pandemic has really been such an existential moment for artists. 

 Vivien:  Oh yes. 

 Vongai: And it like really, you pause and you really think about how much artists just contribute to every day. Like essential workers, we love you. We love our nurses, we love our grocery store workers. We love our sanitation workers, but people are watching TV and reading books, and looking at art and seeing photographs on Instagram. Like 

 Vivien:  Yeah. 

 Vongai: Art is literally everywhere. And suddenly it was like, boom, pause. Yeah, nothing. Yeah. And then also thinking about the way certain governments were not so quick to consider how to help us out.

 Vivien:  Yeah oh my gosh that’s true. 

 Vongai: Yeah, and a lot of confusion about like, oh, how are we going to get back? Or, like, what protections can we put in put in place and stuff to do with unions? And yeah,

 Vivien: Mmm, mmm it's that's so true. That's so true. Yeah. Yeah. And I will add, I feel like there was a lot of pressure around COVID. Like, I remember chatting with someone, and they were like, why don't you just like, test shoot with models, like, line someone up and just shoot them from a distance and be COVID safe and this and this and that. And I just, it's, it's, of course, you can do that. But you also have to at the time, I remember just thinking, well, I don't want to not for my own sake, not because I mean, I did want to I feel like I you know, we talked about this earlier, like, I will work my ass off to do anything, but it just felt a bit selfish, like, Okay, I'm not going to put my career ahead of my health and my family's health. And as you know, my dad was really, really, really sick with cancer last year. And it's like, Look, I'm not going to take that chance, you know, I'm not going to even take the.

Let's shoot from a six feet chance. It's just, it's just not worth it. You know. So I did feel like there was certainly a lot of obstacles in place. And I feel like you have to it was a lot of moral decisions for us to wasn't. 

 Vongai: Yeah, it was it was mind blowing. Because at the same time, while you know, like you said, people were suggesting you do those, those test shoots. And maybe I'm getting emails from my agent saying, Oh, hey, if anyone needs any headshots, you can shoot with this company, and they'll do a social distance thing. We're still getting headlines where the figures were going up and you're hearing this person died and that person died. And this and this celebrity has it that person doesn't this person's gone because of complications, and maybe someone. It was like baffling, and mind blowing. And so like, while the pause has definitely, was existential in some ways, it was good to just, let's just pause and reflect and consider

what it is we're doing as artists and who we want to be in this world and how we want to show up. 

 Vivien: Oh, my gosh, that's such a beautiful way of putting it. That's such a beautiful way of putting it. Granted, it was it was so difficult at the time, because I remember, I'm sure for many of us, I think one of the biggest

drivers of anxiety during this pandemic was just not knowing when it was going to end. And now that we know, okay, like there's a vaccine things are slowly opening up numbers are dropping. It does feel like the end is inside. But I remember in like, November, December of last year before the vaccine was announced, it just felt like, when is there an end? Is there an end? A lot of people were saying, oh, it will never be the same, you know, so that that I think that was something that was difficult to grapple with was, okay, we're pausing. But how long is the pause? And how long do we consider it a pause versus move along in one direction or other? And again, I'm not endorsing, okay, yeah, we must just go get together and create art anyway. But yeah, it was. Yeah, it was interesting times.

 Vongai: I came across this piece on a website to do with a cookbook that I believe you took photographs for. And it said that you volunteered during Hurricane Katrina.

 Vivien: Oh, my gosh, so interesting. Yeah, I remember when I was actually the very, very first year that I moved to the United States, Hurricane Katrina hit, and I did not have the money to fly back home to Zimbabwe. So I, I was, you know, working on campus at the time, and I used my money from working on campus to fly to Hurricane Katrina instead, and went to go and help where I could with the, with the cleanup there. And that was very, very eye opening, you know? Gosh, I you know, one of the things that struck me the most was we were. We were helping to rebuild houses, essentially. And in order to do some of that work on the houses. The team leader had to get contract signed by the homeowners just to be like, hey, you're cool with us, helping you out with whatever you need and being inside your home. And I remember we went to this one old lady's home and she said, I want to sign this contract. I want you guys here but I cannot read or write so I need to call it my son and he's going to have to sign this contract and read it and tell me what it says. And I remember being so shocked at the time because you know, the literacy rate in Zimbabwe, when we were growing up anyway was something like 99%. And I had never, never never met someone who couldn't read or write. And I think that's when I realized, you know, not everything is like golden and shiny here in the States, there's still extreme poverty, there's still lack of access to education and that sort of thing. 

 Vongai: Yeah, um, our problems really are relative, like, there are major issues. And yeah, there are major issues in the United States. And they're also major issues in Zimbabwe as well. And so it can be tough to be like, you know, there's this assumption that people in the diaspora are living it up and poppin bottles, like in the music videos, but that's not always necessary, necessarily the case as well. 

Vivien: Yeah.

 Vongai: So how are you able to practice self-care for yourself during this time, and even before especially. So you, you know, touched on there was that uncertainty to do with the pandemic, this time has also brought up a lot of anxiety, a lot of stuff to do with mental illness and also trauma, whether it's like the trauma of just there's that uncertainty of like, finances and livelihood, as well as the trauma that comes from seeing the headlines every day of there's a MeToo issue that happened or a racial racial justice, this thing that happened or an Anti-Asian this thing that happened and also what you were going through with your family as well. 

 Vivien: Yeah, yeah. Gosh, I guess I'll just say self-care, what is that? I don't know. It's something it's something I'm still working on. For sure.

Gosh, I hate to say it, but sometimes there's just really no time for it. You know, and sometimes you just have to accept that that's the season of life. And you know, any time I don't know, feel like I need a break or feel like I'm in a lot of pain or whatever the circumstances I think I just ground myself in reminding myself that everything is temporary, and the pain will end you know, we might not know when or where but it's it's not going to last forever. I'm 36 years old and I feel like I've definitely had the ups and downs that come with life. And you know, when there's a low it, you never know what it's gonna stop dropping. So I'm not gonna say you'll be at the pit of the barrel yet, but you can pretty much guarantee that if you. If you just do the right thing, things will come back up, you know. So, yeah.

 Vongai: So as you know, in the beginning, when one embarks on an untraditional path, like the artists journey, it can be super exciting. But it can also be really overwhelming because you're like, I've never been here before. I don't know what's going to happen. Am I gonna fail? Am I gonna succeed?

So what advice would you have for someone listening in right now who might be thinking I want to do what Vivian does. I want to take all the dopest photos and cover RocNation Brunch and Beyoncé. But they're not quite sure where to start. Are there any resources, whether they're like books, podcasts, websites, classes? Or maybe even someone's Instagram? I don't know, profile or something that you can recommend? 

 Vivien: Oh, my gosh, no, absolutely, absolutely. I feel like my biggest advice would just be go out and do the work, pick up your camera. If you know if it's COVID safe, go out and make magic with people. And if it's not safe with people go out and test on still life. That was a huge thing I was doing with a pandemic as well was just like, styling, actual, you know, still life items. Whether that's like, flowers, or flat lays, or landscapes or what have you, you know, but just practice, practice, practice, practice, because I feel like one of the biggest errors I see with a lot of photographers is they know absolutely everything in theory. But when it comes down to actually taking a photo in real life, they can't implement because the practice isn’t there. Y’know so I would say, I'd say something that I did and still do is when I'm driving or going for a walk or exercising, that's when I listen to my podcasts. That's when I'll do the education side of things. That's when I'll listen to the audio books and what have you. But I'll make sure that the learning process fits in with my schedule. And when I have free time that free time is spent actually on the ground doing the work. So that that would be my biggest advice is just make sure you're getting yourself out there. And the more you're out there, the more work you have to spread which is obviously something you can use to push the needle forward on your business itself. 

 Vongai: So let's say someone doesn't have a camera, could they start with their phone camera? Just like, before they make the investment for like, a good starter camera or just any camera. 

 Vivien: oh my gosh, absolutely they can I remember. I mean, I feel like even more and more feature films are being made on iPhones, you know. 

 Vongai: I know it's slightly irritating because then you have cast, well on my side, you have casting directors saying, Yeah, you just go out and make your own work, take your phone and shoot a thing and make a film. And you're like, what? A lot of pressure. Yeah.

 Vivien: That’s a lot of pressure. That is a lot of pressure.

 Vongai: I'm gonna be the next Issa Rae because I have an iPhone, sure. [laughs] A lot of pressure. 

 Vivien: No, that is a lot of pressure. It's true. It's true. Yeah. But you know, also come to think of it. You know, I was telling that story about when I went round Ballantyne Park with my camera. That camera was had lower quality features than a lot of flip phones these days. So I often think back on that and think like, Yeah, no, it is it is possible if it's if it's what you really, really want, you know? Yeah.

 Vongai: Any books or podcasts?

 Vivien: Gosh, let me you know, what I listened to a lot is Jenna Kutcher’s, Goal Digger, cuz I feel like she really really focuses on pushing the needle forward on the marketing side of things, which is something I think is very, very overlooked. You know, how to present yourself as your most authentic version of you act in your business, which will draw in the right clientele. So that's something that I'm listening to a lot these days. Business of Photography podcast, that's a really good one that I listen to. Digital photography life. That's another one I listened to and Master Photography. That's another one. So those are the photography podcasts on rotation on my phone right now. 

 Vongai: That's awesome. Okay, so it's time for our lightning round. So you're just gonna answer the first thing that comes to your head. Okay. What is your zodiac sign? 

 Vivien: Aries 

 Vongai: Are you an early bird or a night owl? 

 Vivien: Oh my gosh, night owl. Definitely. 

 Vongai: Do you prefer taking photographs of people or products like ecommerce? 

 Vivien: Oh people! Absolutely people. 

 Vongai: Last song that you listen to?

 Vivien: Oh my gosh, great question. I think it was. Oh, oh my gosh, I think it was that Nkalakatha song and I don't remember who sings that. You know, the one from South Africa. 

 Vongai: I don’t know it. I don’t know it

 Vivien: Oh It's so good, I’ll have to send it you. 

 Vongai: Ok. Um, what's your favorite holiday? 

 Vivien: Christmas! 

 Vongai: Same! I’m a Christmas, baby. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

 Vivien: To take away pain. 

 Vongai: Whoo. Mine's always teleportation. I'm all about traveling for free.

 Vivien: Awwww

 Vongai: Okay, so what is your favorite Marvel? Like out of all of the universe TV shows? Who is your third?

Vivien: Black Panther! 

Vongai: There we go. That's all we need to say. 

Vivien: Oh my gosh, obviously. Oh.

Vongai: So at the time of recording this last night, we're the 93rd Academy Awards. Is there a film that you saw from this award season that you would recommend people watch?

Vivien: Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland is really stunning. 

Vongai: I loved it. 

Vivien: Yeah, she's such a talented filmmaker. I'm a huge fan of Chloé Zhao. 

Vongai: It's struck such a chord and the fact that she was able to wear all these different film hats of directing, writing, and just editing it as well is just phenomenal. Okay, do you have a favorite Zimbabwean childhood snack? 

Vivien: Oh gosh, I love the little Froggy chocolates. 

Vongai: I forgot about those. Mazoe Orange or Mazoe Green? 

Vivien: Mazoe Orange! [laughs] I love that question! 

Vongai: If you weren’t a photographer, fabulous person, what do you think you’d be doing? 

Vivien: Oh my gosh I think I would be director. That’s definitely something that I still even think about exploring today. 

Vongai: That’s so awesome. The next one is a sentence that you fill out at the end. So it start I am ZimExcellence because blank. 

Vivien: I am ZimExcellence because I never gave up. 

Vongai: Woo I love that so much. If you could nominate someone for the award of ZimExcellence, who would it be? 

Vivien: Ooh Fadzai Mahere. 

Vongai: So Fadzai Mahere you’ve just been nominated for the award of ZimExcellence by Vivien Best. And who would you nominate to come on this show, our show? 

Vivien: Bongani, absolutely. He’s such a talented cinematographer. His work is absolutely stunning and he has just like such a calming and fantastic presence, I think. I would definitely tune in if he was on the show. 

Vongai: I love that so much especially because Bongani is the reason we know each other. So this was like the most fun time. As we wrap up I would love it if you could a) share a message with our listeners as well as let them know where they can continue to follow your fabulous journey. Whether’s it a website, Instagram, Twitter, all of the fabulous things. 

Vivien: Oh my gosh absolutely. So obviously my name is Vivien Killilea Best, my website is vivienphotography dot com and my Instagram is @vivienkillilea. 

Vongai: I love that! We need to get her to be director and an actor next.

[They laugh] 

Vongai: Vivien thank you so much for making time for us. 

 Vivien: Oh my gosh thank you 

 Vongai: I can’t wait til we can meet post-COVID in the new world and just hang out and also just play and do all the photography things together. 

 Vivien: Oh I cannot wait 

 Vongai: And I hope you have the best shoot later today. Thank you so much.

 Vivien: Oh my gosh, thank you Vongai 

Outro : Mazvita. Tatenda. Siyabonga. Thank you so much for tuning in to this week’s episode of ZimExcellence.  If you found value from this episode please share it with a friend and go ahead and subscribe, rate and review. 

If you send me a screenshot of your review I’ll make sure to give you a shoutout on future episodes. Feel free to tag us on Instagram. @zimexcellencepodcast

And if you identify as Zimbabwean I want to hear your story so go ahead and email zimexcellencepodcast@gmail.com. Til then have the best week and stay ZimExcellent!