On a whim, Clemson student Sophie Ayers sent Winyah, a South Carolina indie rock band, an Instagram message asking if she could photograph one of their concerts.
“I wasn’t even expecting an answer back,” she said.
The band said yes. One concert led to another, culminating in a two-week summer tour and a growing career photographing live performances by artists including Evan Honer, Tyler Childers and Mt. Joy.
The message to Winyah wasn’t Ayers’ first leap of faith. Growing up in Massachusetts, she hadn’t expected to attend Clemson until a campus visit convinced her it was where she wanted to be.
“I just kind of knew immediately,” she said. “It just felt right.”
Ayers spent her four years at Clemson immersing herself in projects, internships and creative experiences outside the classroom as a graphic communications major, which allowed her to combine creativity with learning technical skills behind design, printing, production, marketing and business.
“The program is a super great bridge between where I was in high school and where I want to be,” she said. “I was super studio art focused in high school, but I never really knew how I wanted to make that into a career.”
Conducting research through the University’s Departmental Honors program gave Ayers another way to challenge herself creatively by exploring new approaches to visually present her work.
One Honors project became especially meaningful.
As part of a package and specialty printing course, Ayers created a rabbit-themed brand inspired by her father’s advice to “make my own luck.” The project was the first time she transformed a hand-drawn illustration into a professionally produced brand. It became such an important milestone that she later had the rabbit logo tattooed on her arm.
Senior Lecturer Michelle Fox, who teaches the class, said Ayers consistently embraced opportunities to grow.
“I know many instructors say it, but truly, teaching Sophie was such a gift,” Fox said. “Students who are highly motivated, constantly push their boundaries, are highly engaged with their learning and work…they energize you and motivate you to push yourself as well. Sophie was just that.”
Because Ayers completed the Honors version of the course, she developed branding, packaging and promotional materials for two brands instead of one.
“I was incredibly impressed with her maturity and poise,” Fox said. “Sophie handled critique and feedback loops with grace. She took those sessions as growth opportunities and excelled in the creation and production of commercial-level pieces.”
Ayers’ internships with a small coffee business and Clemson Athletics also strengthened her design skills while introducing her to photography, marketing and content creation.
Eventually, Ayers started photographing live music — including performances at Clemson’s Music Fest — borrowing cameras and lenses through the University’s equipment checkout program.
Her confidence grew behind the camera, giving her the courage to push for bigger opportunities with bands like Winyah.
The group was so impressed by her work that they asked her back. After finishing classes this summer, Ayers joined Winyah on their two-week tour.
Fox said Ayers’ willingness to embrace feedback and push herself made those accomplishments possible.
“I am incredibly proud of Sophie and her accomplishments,” Fox said. “She set up a high bar for the students that followed. As she transitions into her career after graduation, I know she will be an asset to any team or company she joins.”
After she graduates, Ayers plans to return to Massachusetts while continuing to work with touring musicians, combining photography with branding and social media strategy.
She believes the opportunities that shaped her Clemson Experience the most were often the ones she pursued herself. Her advice to other students is to seek out opportunities instead of waiting for them.
“I definitely think taking advantage of every single opportunity and really being in the moment and absorbing everything,” she said. “Not just checking the box.”
