Meet Campus Celebrity: Saige Hooker, Executive Photographer at Impulse Magazine

Saige Hooker is completing her last year here at UIUC, graduating a year early. As the executive photographer for Impulse Magazine, Saige has been hard at work, and Her Campus had the opportunity to speak to her and learn a little more! 

HC: What’s your major/ minor?

Siage Hooker: Advertising and Public Relations.

HC: How/ When did you get involve with Impulse?

SH: At orientation before I even enrolled at UIUC, I met my now best friend and current editor-in-chief of Impulse, Jesse Goddard, who told me about the opportunity. The magazine was in its first year after being founded on campus by alum Kat Bizios, and so both Jesse and I joined at the same time as stylists. I quickly moved on to become one of the main photographers.

HC: Can you tell us a little about your position at Impulse and what you do?

SH: Although my title is executive photographer, a lot more than taking photos goes on behind the scenes. Myself and the rest of the senior staff conceptualize and plan sections of the magazine and specific shoots from scratch…every single issue. We do all of our own set production, as well as editing. Specifically, my job entails collaborating with the stylists and creative director to assign photographers to shoots as well as direct at every shoot. Recently, we have gone through a huge change and are no longer affiliated with our previous publishing company, so as of the latest issue, we now design all of our own layout. 

HC: What’s been your favorite experience so far?

SH: Every day on staff is an adventure in itself. I have never been more inspired by a group of people. Being able to grow with them and appreciate what we have been able to create has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Almost all Impulse alum have gone on to do incredible work after graduation (our last editor-in-chief now works at Vogue,) so it excites me every day to work with people that I know will do great things in the future. 

HC: What are your plans after college?

SH: This summer, I will hopefully be working in the city at and advertising agency or a production company. After I’ve had enough of this Midwest weather, I plan to move out west to Los Angeles to pursue celebrity photography and public relations, hopefully in the music production industry!

HC: Do you have any tips or advice for students on how to be as successful as you have been?

SH: Meet people. Everyone in college is going to college, but who you know matters. Surround yourself with people who will be able to support you in the future, and vice versa. Also, go above and beyond what you think everyone else is doing. I am never fully satisfied with my work, and although it is frustrating, it keeps me motivated and always gives me something to work towards. 

To see more of Saige’s work you can visit her site at http://saigezhooker.4ormat.com/#0