Taking It Eazy with BriAnne Wills
Though photographer BriAnne Wills spent most of her 20s in the Pacific Northwest, it was always her goal to eventually move to NYC and pursue her passion professionally. It wasn’t until her husband was offered a job on the East Coast, that she was able to make her dream a reality. Ten years later, her work has been featured in Elle, InStyle, Nylon, Refinery29 and Teen Vogue, to name just a few.
And when she’s not creating beautiful images for brands like Bare Minerals or Milk Makeup, she’s offering a platform to others with her very own magazine, Eazy Tiger. Tired of seeing so many bylines by male photographers, Wills created the magazine to celebrate female and non-binary photographers “whose work deserves to be on covers of magazines!”
We sat down with Wills to talk all things Eazy Tiger and get her take on the hottest spots in town this holiday season.
When did you first pick up a camera?
BriAnne Wills: I’ve been an amateur photographer for as long as I can remember. My dad was a photographer and had old film cameras that I used to play with as a pre-teen. I forced my friends and family to dress up and pose for me and continued to do that through college. But it wasn’t until I graduated college that I played around with it more seriously. And it wasn’t until people started offering to pay me that I realized I could make a living doing it. I had always been somewhat of a shy person and photography helped me become more confident approaching people and asking to photograph them. If I thought someone was really cool and I wanted to get to know them, I would offer to take photos of them. We would get to know each other that way and often those encounters would turn into friendships.
How would you describe your magazine, Eazy Tiger?
BW: Eazy Tiger is a digital magazine that features fashion and beauty editorials made by women and non-binary photographers. Every issue features six up-and-coming photographers who are each given their own digital cover and spread. The concepts are completely up to them. They put together a creative pitch and once approved, they choose their team and their models and go from there. I want this platform to be a way for us to explore new ideas and try new things. It’s less about fashion trends and more about the photos and how each photographer wants to be perceived.
What has surprised you about running a magazine?
BW: It surprises me how much I enjoy managing talent. It’s fun being on the other side for once, selecting photographers, approving images, watching editorials come to life! I love seeing how each photographer approaches their work.
What have been some of your favorite magazines?
BW: The Gentlewoman and Puss Puss! So fun, well-curated and the photos are really edgy and beautiful.
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What are your favorite spots to take friends or family visiting from out of town during the holiday season?
BW: I love getting mulled wine, walking around the holiday markets at Bryant Park or Union Square, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and getting dinner at the Eataly rooftop—SERRA by Birreria.
Best places to shop for holiday presents?
BW: Coming Soon is a really cool women-owned business that has so many cool home goods and gifts that are made by talented designers and artists.
Best place to buy the best magazines in the city?
BW: Magazine Cafe has everything from indie mags to every global edition of Vogue.
Where do you shop for your NYE looks?
BW: Le Grand Strip vintage in Williamsburg or WRAY and Ilana Kohn in the LES—all small, women-owned businesses. Ilana has a really amazing velvet suit I’ve been eyeing.
Website: briannewills.com
Instagram: @briannewills
WORDS Hillary Sproul
PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of BriAnne Wills
