How did you get started creating content?
I’ve always loved photography and I found I always had too many photos after a trip to share on Facebook so I created a blog as a place to put all this imagery and it started from there!
Define your style in 3 words
Black, White and Navy.
Tell us what inspires you…
Life inspiration – I’m inspired by a lot of female entrepreneurs, the founders of the company I work for included. Jen and Steph founded Away a little over a year ago now and it’s been inspiring to not only watch the company grow but also to be a part of that growth through my role as Head of Global Marketing and Operations.
Content inspiration – beautiful landscapes, colours and people. I had a field day with my film camera in India!
How do you build and maintain trust with your followers?
I find not taking myself too seriously helps quite a lot. I like to upload content that’s aesthetically pleasing but also that I can write an amusing or informative caption on. I’ve had a number of people saying they follow me for the captions just as much as the photos!
What brand would you love to work with? (That you have not already worked with)
I’d love to work with Adidas, I’m obsessed with their trainers.
I’d also love to work with more non-profits, I studied War Studies at King’s College and a big interest of mine is gender equality and humanitarian crises, so partnering with a charity or NGO that focuses on bettering those situations would be great. In line with this passion I recently co-founded The Un-Idle Collective. We’re aiming to make it an online (and offline) platform that highlights and educates the community we’ve created on world issues and also provides them with accessible activism, we do this through partnering with non-profits and thought leaders.
Tell us about your favourite branded campaign.
I really liked a campaign I did for The Safari Collection in Kenya. Mainly because I got to go on safari in Kenya and explore the country. That was fun.
Which of your videos or images is your favorite, and why?
My favourite photo is probably the image I took of the Taj Mahal last year. I got up at 4.30am and I was the first in line and through the gate. I managed to get an image without a single person standing in front of the Taj Mahal, as the sun was rising.
How do you qualify which brands you will work with and which you will not?
If they’re in line with what I like doing, eating, exploring or wearing then I will work with them. If I read an email and have to think twice about it then I won’t work with a brand.
How do you like working with brands? What do you think results in the best brand partnership?
I usually really enjoy working with brands as I only work with those I already like or have an interest in. I think the best collaborations are when you’re not restricted by the type of content you have to create. A brand should want to work with you for your style of content and when that’s respected it’s usually really fun!
And finally, what makes your style as an influencer unique?
In all honesty, I really don’t focus on making it unique as such because it’s easy to become competitive with those in the same sphere. I mainly focus on creating things that I’m proud of and that I think my audience would like to hear about. A lot of the time I actually think more about the caption than I do the photo. Your online voice is what can make you stand out, rather than the type of fashion shoot you’re doing.
Emma Bates in action
Billion Dollar Boy has loved working with Emma on both UK and US campaigns, as she currently lives between New York and London. She helped support Carven Parfums’ new fragrance launch last spring and Garnier UK this winter and is our go-to girl for all health, wellness, fitness, fashion and beauty activations.