Meet Claire Forrest | Photograher, Filmmaker, and Swimsuit Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Claire Forrest and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claire, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I have a swimsuit company, for each swimsuit we sell, we have a partner in the Maldives that will plant a baby coral onto a reef and we are slowly working to rebuild a reef system that helps the ocean and the planet in so many varied ways!

As a former snorkel instructor, I am passionate about the damage we humans are inflicting on the oceans and the planet, so this is my attempt to make a difference!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I was sixteen years old, I remember saving up for my first DSLR camera. I didn’t know that ‘photographer’ was a career choice, but I loved creating. I shot weddings on evenings and weekends while working full time for a few years after college, buying more gear and learning as I went.
Then came a day where I knew I had to quit my full time job in order to grow my business, and I still think fondly of that little chapter, put together with courage and determination and lots of learning.

I don’t think there’s any form of entrepreneurship that can be defined as ‘easy’, especially at first, but the reward of the freedom to create and imagine my life suited me from early on.

I think I’ve learned along the way that it doesn’t matter how many head starts, leg-ups, or lucky breaks someone gets– (we all get some, somewhere), if you see someone succeeding and really doing what they do with passion and success, consistently over time, know that they earned their stripes and have become stronger humans along for doing it!

My newest chapter is venturing into swimwear- I love the ocean and want very much to contribute to the health of our planet, so with each swimsuit we sell, we plant a baby coral. The industry is fashion is new to me and exciting, so I’m still learning the best way to navigate marketing and sales of a product rather than a service, but I have high hopes for where it can lead and the ways we can help support women as we grow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Saint Louis, Missouri, and shoot in cities all over the US and sometimes abroad. If I had a friend visiting for a week, asking what to do, I think I would spend at least two days driving around the Missouri wilderness and showing them some of the natural wonders I grew up exploring with my family.

We all get so busy, and there are endless interesting things to do and eat in the City, but I think rural Missouri can be absolutely beautiful as well and surprising with hidden, unmarked adventures that only the locals know about!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my husband, who is my most dedicated and loyal fan and supporter from day one.

Website: www.claireforrestfilms.com. / www.coraleeswim.com

Instagram: @claire_forrest_films / @coraleeswim

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-bira-forrest-2a410836/