that one time I had a viral video
I'm a bucket list kind of girl.
It's mostly in my mind, but sometimes I'll write down my biggest hopes and dreams.
Work for Vogue
Watch the Olympics in person
Become the Nanny for Harry Styles someday in the future when he has multiple gorgeous and talented children with curly hair and slowly ruin his marriage from the inside and steal him for myself
Move to LA
Swim in the Mediterranean sea
Nobel Prize
selfie with Billy Ray Cyrus
Make a viral video
Some call it crazy, some call it ambitious, but I am here today to tell you that I have officially crossed off my first item.
I wish I could sit here and tell you that I shared a beautiful moment with Billy Ray Cyrus, but It was actually #8 that I was able to complete.
I HAD A VIRAL VIDEO.
January 1st, 2017 was a big day in the life of Indy Severe. What better way to start the year than with unrealistic pressure and expectations!
The video has been retweeted almost 70,000 times, favorited 255,000, and reposted by accounts with millions of followers.
Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast of all time even messaged me to tell me she wants my life.
(I told her she could have it, if I could have one of her gold medals.)
It was a wild ride and everything is starting to calm down so I thought I'd get on here to explain some things, and some questions.
I make videos for my job, its what I do for a living. But it's also what I do as my passion. I make videos for myself. First and foremost, it's very selfish. I'm a millennial in its truest form and I love to document everything. Family dinners, summer drives up the canyon, getting kicked out of a club for having your flash on while i'm trying to snapchat... that's all me. My friends hate it but I think they'll thank me someday.
I've kept journals and blogs for years, but there's nothing like video to really capture a memory. To me, memories are the most valuable things in life. And for people that asked, yes I bring my camera everywhere! It's a tough balance between "living in the moment" and capturing them. But i've gotten pretty good at it. So for me, my videos are primarily for myself. So I can look back on my life and show my kids someday. I don't think my generation realizes how truly incredible that is. That for the first time in history, our kids and grandkids will be able to see how we grew up. Technology and digital media is so amazing in that sense, and we don't even realize it. What you're putting out into the world, online, is essentially what you'll be remembered for. Even the one direction fan fiction. Even that one time you commented on my instagram picture and called me a “stupid hoe”
But on the other hand, I definitely make videos for other people. I spend a lot of time worrying. "Will other people like it?" "Is this a dumb song?" And my doubts sometimes keep me from sharing my work. "I'm not as good as ___" or "If only I had nicer camera equipment people would like my videos" "Or more followers" "Or better genetics"
I'm naturally pretty confident, but I always get caught up in things that don't matter. The comparing, the likes, the views.
Except for this time.
I posted this video not expecting any specific kind of response. I just decided that I made a good video and If people liked it, that's cool and if no one liked it, at least I did, you know?
I woke up to 20,000 new followers and the nickname "privileged white girl."
amazing.
I'm always preaching about how 'numbers don't matter' and how the amount of likes/followers doesn't define you. But Yooooo I'm gonna be honest with you guys cause you would see right through it if I wasn't. I was stoked. over 50 million people have seen my video and I'm not going to pretend like that isn't really cool. So let me be really superficial and excited about that for at least another three days. Then you can bring me back down to earth.
It was so nice to have worked really hard for the past year, and finally have my work get appreciated.
I had 500 twitter DM's on that first day alone. I was overwhelmed, honestly. It made me rethink my 5 year plan to become a Kardashian. Fame is hard! (i'm being sarcastic, of course. It definitely won't take 5 years.)
Every single message was so sweet and genuine and I break down in tears multiple times a day reading them. Because the fact that so many people take time out of their day to tell me I inspired them makes me cry.
I've been trying to respond to everyone, so if you have sent me a message and I haven't replied, please don't think i'm ignoring you! Except that middle aged man from Saudi Arabia asking me to send pictures of my feet. I'm ignoring you. Sorry.
I thought I would answer some of my most asked questions until I am able to get back to all of you. So here we go:
MOST ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What camera/lenses do you use?
I use the Canon 6D and primarily use the 24-105 mm lens, but also the 50mm 1.2
2. What do you use to edit?
Lightroom and Final Cut Pro
3. What is a good starting camera?
I used the Canon t3i for years and it’s so good! I highly recommend that if you're starting out.
4. How do you afford to go on all of these trips? No my parents don't pay for my trips, no I don't have a trust fund, OR a sugar daddy (yet) I actually work and pay for my own trips and equipment myself. I film weddings and other events, which is a good job for someone like me who would rather follow a boyband around the world than sit in a desk all day. It's my passion, it pays well, and I'm my own boss so I choose when I work. I usually plan trips, and then schedule and book weddings around it. It's the best. It's a functional relationship.
Another thing people have a hard time wrapping their head around, is that you don't have to be rich to travel. You just have to be willing to stay in hostels that sometimes have cockroaches.
In that video I went to Mexico, Hawaii, New York, LA, Havasupai, Florida, Colorado, and Thailand. And I still had money leftover to buy extra lives on candy crush.
HOW? it's all about planning.
For Hawaii my plane ticket was $400 round trip. I stayed with a friend (free) and played on the beach all day (free.)
For New York my plane ticket was $240 round trip, I stayed with a friend (free) and walked everywhere (painful) (but) (free)
Same thing with everywhere else I have traveled. I find a cheap flight and either stay with a friend, or a cheap air bnb.
Thailand was one of the cheapest trips i've ever been on believe it or not, my ticket was only $500 round trip and our hotel was about $6 a night split between 10 people. I see you girls dropping hunneds on getting your eyebrows microbladed. Go to Thailand instead. Good eyebrows are important. But so is finding the best massaman curry.
I can't stress enough that there IS a cheap way to see the world, and I've figured it out. It's not because I'm white, it's not because I'm rich, it's not because i'm an international spy with missions in all corners of the world, its because I can HUSTLE. It's a gift. So road trips, cheap flights and staying with friends. That's how I afford to go on so many trips.
Also, no I don't go to school and you can read more about that HERE.
I've found that school and I don't really get along and I'm only young sexy and broke once, and I'd rather spend this exciting time in my life on the beach, or on the back of a scooter in Asia, than in a classroom learning about quantum physics. I know. I’m annoying. But i’m annoying. Inasia.
Just do whatever makes you happy. If college is your thing, then that's great. Stick to your journey, and what you're good at and what makes you the happiest.
If you have any other questions, drop them in the comments or send them by carrier pigeon because I'll probably respect that and respond quicker.
Once and for all you guys are the dopest and I love all 75,000+ of you following me on my little adventures. Your support means the world to me and I want you all to know how much potential we have. I've never been so excited for me and this generation and everyone living in 2017. There's so much to do, so much to see, so many memes to create, and it's up to us. Our lives are what we create them to be, so create a life you love.
So much love,
Indy Blue
(yes that's my real name)
