Check Out Lillian Higgins’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillian Higgins.  

Hi Lillian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had a passion for the ocean and art. My camera was always with me on whatever adventure I was on trying to capture every moment. I always enjoyed taking art classes and trying all sorts of different mediums and finding new ways to express my creativity. 

I met my husband while traveling in Australia as a scuba instructor. We both shared the same passion for the ocean, traveling, and photography. It brought us many experiences from cage diving with great whites and snorkeling with whale sharks and humpback whales to ultimately getting married in Fiji and continuing our travels as dive instructors together. We decided to start a blog to document our adventures and that’s how Sea Our Life was created. 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, we were living on a private island working for the cruise industry. We were evacuated and stayed in the US with my family and our lives slowed down. During quarantine, I spent the time daydreaming about swimming in the clear blue Caribbean Sea, and my mind was flooded with images and stories about an underwater world. I started writing and drawing and before I knew it I had enough to self-publish my own poetry book. 

My next creative outlet came from a scuba dive trip in North Carolina. I was on a dive with my husband and father and we were spearing lionfish. Lionfish are invasive to the Atlantic and Caribbean so we often try to get as many as we can out of our ocean and enjoy them as a meal. You have to carefully catch and prepare each one because they are venomous. I was inspired to find even more use for this gorgeous fish and since there are no venomous spines in the tail, I started to collect them and make jewelry like I had seen other divers do in the past. I started making earrings, key chains, bracelets, rings, and necklaces. These make for the perfect wearable art with an important story to tell. 

As the pandemic went on and restrictions were slowly being lifted, I wanted to pursue photography and start capturing people’s memories. I started shooting weddings and family portraits. I love being a photographer and capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments that you can keep and share as time goes on. 

So, I continue to create and Sea Our Life became a place I could share my passion with others. A place I could write, draw and photograph and continue to be inspired by the ocean. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
” A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor ” -President Franklin D. Roosevelt 

Going from something that was a personal experience to sharing it with people was a little nerve-wracking at first. Putting your work out there and seeing how people would react to it. Getting lost in the comparison of other photographers or lifestyle brands. I have amazing support from my husband, family, and friends, and am so happy I pursued my dream of creating something. I can’t wait to see what it will look like in a few years’ time. My advice for any artist or entrepreneur is to remember what you’re feeling will reflect in your work. If you lack confidence, your product won’t be at its best. If you’re feeling tired your marketing won’t be reached as easily. Take time for yourself and avoid getting burned out. Rest and take mental breaks. Stop comparing your business path to someone else’s and start enjoying the journey. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Sea Our Life is an Art and Photography brand inspired by the ocean. 

I book photography sessions, I write, and I create digital art alongside prints, paintings, and jewelry. The fun thing about having your own business is it can be whatever you want it to be! 

I’d say I’m most proud of my poetry book because it’s something I had never thought I’d be capable of creating and the words mean a lot to me. 

What sets me apart from the others is originality. Although there are tons of photographers and artists, I try to remain unique and original in everything I do. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
My work will always be centered around the ocean. That’s a passion that will never change. Over the years I will probably explore different mediums and come up with different products. I hope to be able to have more merchandise and design clothing and maybe even some more books! 

Pricing:

• $100/hr: Weddings up to 3 hours
• $1,600: Full Day Weddings up to 8 hours
• $100: One-person Portraits 30 minutes
• $200: Multiple person Portraits 1 hour
• See the website for Custom Art Prices

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seaourlife.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seaourlifellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaOurLifeLLC 

Image Credits
Lillian Higgins
Arthur Chaudhry