Mary Ton

Unsure what adult working life was supposed to look like, Mary Ton took each day as it came starting out. Then, some very good timing alongside her strong visual eye landed her a creative content job at Lazy Oaf. She’s since finessed her process of finding inspiration – looking to the world around her, old movies and her creative influences to pull off creative experiments in her work. From the highs to journeying the bumps in the road – including some unrelenting imposter syndrome and battling her all-too-human emotions – and finding joy and support from the people around her, here Mary explores the emotional side of life as a creative.

What I do

How would you describe what you do?
I capture and edit images and videos, throwing in a little razzle-dazzle to stop you in your tracks as you’re scrolling your feed.

What are the main influences and inspirations behind your work?
I love to watch movies in my spare time and that subconsciously finds its way into my perspective when shooting images. Films teach me to integrate storytelling, world-building and playfulness into my images and framing – making me feel like a bit of a cinematographer.

In terms of creators, when I’m online, I tend to gravitate towards @zeameizus and @orioncarloto for inspiration. They’re both creators who have a knack for appreciating little things that often go unnoticed and packaging it all up in a nostalgic universe, which always leaves me feeling enamoured and inspired to go out and capture my own images.

Would you say you need any specific training for what you do?
Absolutely not! Spend some time visiting galleries; go to independent cinemas and buy tickets for old movies you know nothing about; explore a magazine shop and dedicate some time to watching editing program tutorials. Then, give it a try – organise a mini-shoot with a friend and pull inspiration from all the things you saw. Your experience and portfolio will gradually grow alongside all your experimentations.

What’s been your favourite project to work on from the past year, and why?
I had a hand in the creative direction and production of the Lazy Oaf x Monchhichi campaign shoot which I’ll never forget. I remember seeing a Monchhichi for the first time during an elementary school sleepover and being completely drawn to that strange little monkey. Being given the opportunity to revisit the whimsical adolescent side of myself in my career as an adult reminded me why I love doing what I do.

What does a normal day-to-day usually look like for you?
The job tends to vary quite drastically day-to-day. Some days I’ll be in the office shooting content – sometimes behind the camera, sometimes in front of it. On other days, I’ll be on set running around and forgetting to drink water. I love capturing content, but my favourite days are when I get to pop my headphones on, listen to some Addison Rae and completely immerse myself in a heavy day of editing.

If there was a starter pack for your job, what would be on it?
Simultaneously a Premiere Pro advanced beginner and CapCut wiz; doomscrolling on TikTok to find inspiration and trending sounds and winding up down a bric-a-brac collection rabbit hole and forgetting why you opened the app in the first place; working in an office, but in a whimsical way; always capturing content, content, content; and touching grass to stay calm during high stress situations.

Creative work for Lazy Oaf

How I got here

What was your journey like when you were first starting out?
I did a couple of social media internships with fashion brands right after graduating from university. During this time, a friend of mine sent me an open casting call for Lazy Oaf and nudged me to shoot my shot. I went to the casting, was sure nothing would come of it and two days later received an email inviting me to be part of their upcoming campaign shoot.

At this time of my life, I was still really unsure what adulthood was meant to look like, so I took everything day by day, with zero vision or strategy. I really only planned on showing up, smiling for the camera and keeping this experience as a cool little memory for future me to look back at. As I was wrapping up and leaving the shoot, someone from the Lazy Oaf team (my future manager) asked what I was going to do afterwards. I mentioned in passing that I was going to go home and get back to job hunting, rolling my eyes at the thought. She said, “Oh, that’s funny! What sort of work are you looking for? We’re actually looking for someone to join our creative team,” and that was that.

What has been your biggest challenge along the way?
This is so cliché, but it’s definitely my imposter syndrome. I sometimes feel inadequate to be at the stage I am, like one day someone’s going to turn around and realise I’m not meant to be there and boot me out of the office. On another level, it’s the little moments – when my patience runs short, tearing up out of frustration, taking criticism too personally, struggling to allow myself personal time outside of work, not being able to always cook healthy meals after work. All these uncomfortable and human moments that make you wonder how everyone’s got it under control other than you? Really, the biggest challenge is learning to go easy on yourself.

How important are social media and self-promotion to your work?
They’re not so important for me, but I’ve always looked up to my peers who make time and space to share and discuss their work. Due to my imposter syndrome, I find it hard to regard myself as an artist or a creator. I am, however, slowly finding a compromise for my fear of talking about my work; for those uncomfortable with sharing work online, you can view your social media platforms as a photo album of all the wonderful things you’ve experienced and achieved – for no one’s eyes but your own. In five years, you’ll be grateful you stored those memories somewhere to look back at.

What are three things that you’ve found useful to your career, and why?
Firstly, community. Who would’ve predicted that the friends you went to school with would be the ones you’d call up to shoot a campaign that you’re planning? One of the joys of becoming an adult alongside all the creative kids you met in school and university is being able to say at work, “I know a person who would be perfect for this!”. It’s the friends who share your appreciation for creative language that you can geek out about a cool campaign with. And it’s the friends who know how much your work means to you that take the time to listen to you drone on about your ideas and hopes and dreams.

Then, the podcast ‘Rehash’ and Mina Le’s YouTube page – I’m a sucker for long-form media analysis, especially if it’s being delivered by funny Gen-Z girls. The creative career is a slippery slope when it comes to having your brain and world views consumed by internet trends and pop culture discourse, so it’s grounding to be able to take a step back and digest all these fast-paced phenomena from a cultural analysis point of view (the media studies alumni in me yearns for it). In some ways, it gives you a fresh outlook on how to approach the internet sphere.

Finally, rest – at least eight hours of sleep, but also mental rest. You deserve to have days where you’re all by yourself, enjoying your own company whilst cooking your favourite stew, with a face mask on and your favourite movie playing – but also days where you’re surrounded by friends, with an exciting abundance of socialising and interaction with humans. That is to say, yes, sleep is good, but feeling fulfilled and mentally rejuvenated will also help you feel energised and inspired at work.

What have been your greatest learnings with making money and supporting yourself as a creative?
I’ve only worked full-time so far, so I just try my best to show initiative and ask for more responsibility where I can to grow in my position (and my salary). It’s unbelievably scary to ask for a pay rise – that’s something I’m still learning to do. On the side, I try to follow other creatives, see what work opportunities like modelling or assisting are out there and try to be brave in sending messages to see if I’d be a good fit.

My advice

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
It isn’t life or death - so don’t let it get to you!

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into a similar role?
It’s easier said than done, but I genuinely believe in putting yourself out there. Reach out to that internet friend of yours to build your network, DM a photographer to see if they need an assistant, email brands to see if they need a helping hand, even if it’s temporary. You never know if you don’t give it a go.