Viewing entries tagged
commercial photography
“I am passionate about this profession because I enjoy being a listener and source of support for those sharing stories of trauma, life challenges, resiliency, hope. Making a human connection with others while providing a space for individuals to be vulnerable in an otherwise world that can feel chaotic and unsafe at times motivates me to show up for them consistently.”
“I love what I do because I'm able to help people when they are in need. Someone who's too sick or injured to work has their entire life upended. Giving some type of security to that person is an incredible feeling.”
“Rebecca gave me an opportunity to see myself in a way that I never had before. I had an image in my mind of what I expected to see in the photos, but instead I saw a happy, successful entrepreneur who was living a really great life. Rebecca you captured my space beautifully and I'm so excited for the next photoshoot!”
Some feel hesitant to take new headshots because they might think they see some new wrinkles, a few additional pounds, slightly thinner hair… I want to remind you that what prospective clients actually see in your photo is your friendly smile and your confident posture. They see someone they may feel comfortable working with, comfortable trusting.
Having your employee’s faces on your business website can help your office to stand apart. As I peruse many websites for local businesses and services, I am disappointed at how many do not include the faces of their staff, owners or management. Putting real faces with your brand’s name helps to convey a sense of trustworthiness and responsibility to potential clients.
Being a small business owner in Toledo means I know how much work goes into successfully promoting yourself in any career. Having a great headshot means potential clients and customers know exactly who they will be working with. A person gets to put a face with your name and that can build trust and create a consistent client experience. Having a professional headshot is a really important part of any brand.
“I’ve been told I have a very warm, calming presence which is really beneficial because most clients come to my chair really nervous for a big event or shoot that I’m getting them ready for. I help them focus and calm their nerves either by talking or using tools/products that help them relax.” -Amy Lewis
Is there a piece of professional advice you received that has stuck with you on your career journey? Every call counts. Every day counts. It's easy to allow negative experiences and failures to discourage you, especially early in your career. However, we can learn from every experience and grow. I believe that failure is essential. I don't fear failure for this reason - I'm actually motivated by it.
“Femininity appears to be one of those pivotal qualities that is so important no one can define it.” -Caroline Bird
Ajax was a huge step in my independence. He has saved my life more times than I can count. But if I had to count how many times people tried to distract Ajax from doing his job and harass us I would probably lose count. You see, we as a society love dogs. And that’s amazing and great but we don’t always act appropriately when we are around dogs that don’t belong to us. So here are some general rules when interacting with a Service Animal.
Working with my Amy to pursue the creative things she loves has been such a fun experience. We have photographed outfits in snow, in rain, in summer heat. We have made some tricky locations look great and working with Amy has taught me new things about my own craft as well. Fashion photography is very different from portraiture or event coverage. I thrive on the textures, patterns, colors and flow of each outfit. I can’t wait to see the next ensemble she has for me to photograph.
I was contacted by Stacey a couple days later and we set up a networking meeting. As a business owner, it is so beneficial to make connections and grow relationships with other local professionals. I highly value having a list of service providers that I trust to refer my friends and clients to. Stacey explained how passionate she is about changing the face of her industry and calling her peers to a higher service standard. She hopes to see more diversity in the professional world, specifically more women entrepreneurs. Stacey enjoys using her time to network and invest in the community as well.
What is one tip you would give other self-employed professionals who are just starting out? Business can be rocky, especially at the beginning, so it’s important to keep developing ideas—to be innovative, to try new things. Don’t become stagnant. Keep learning—attend conferences, workshops, webinars. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Observe and learn what your clients want, and adjust your services accordingly. I’ve learned in life that things often don’t go as planned. This is true in business as well. Don’t fight it; go with it! Being stuck in one certain mindset can be damaging to your business’s success.
Every business need a strong brand. A large part of building an iconic brand is having professional images that show off your services, products or people. Check out a previous post I wrote about this topic here: “Commercial Branding Shoot. Why You Need One”. Working with local Toledo professionals to create high quality branding images has been a rewarding experience and I enjoy seeing how my services can make a difference in their business.
Commercial photography makes up a good portion of my business. I work with a variety of businesses and professionals in different fields. Some need branding images for their websites, some need social media content, and others are looking for headshots. Every business needs documentation of their product, service or professional faces. High quality commercial images play a large role in marketing to potential clients. I really enjoy being able to offer this service to Toledo area businesses. I love getting to know more about other professions and brands as I work with them on their commercial photos.
March 2019 was my fourth year documenting the Water for Ishmael annual fundraising event. Each spring the staff, students, and volunteers put together a special event to raise funds for scholarships for ESL students. Dinner is served and includes dishes from many different countries. Some food is homemade and some is donated by a variety of local restaurants. The event also involves a silent auction, a bazar, cultural demonstrations and traditional dance performances.
Headshots are important in the professional world. Not only do they impact how your peers see you, they can direct how your potential clients think about you. Just like your store front, logo, and website create an experience for your customers, your own image is also an important part of your brand. A person who presents a sloppy appearance could be labeled as someone who might not take pride in their work. A nervous or angry expression could make clients wonder if you are difficult to work with. An outdated headshot may remind you of a younger self, but it will confuse peers when they meet you in person.
Anva is a very cute place. The decor is fun but relaxing and comfortable. I am a lover of textures and Anva is full of lovely ones to look at and feel. I felt like the whole place spoke to me saying, "just breathe and be". Val is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Every other word out of her mouth was a compliment. I am drawn to people like that because I highly value words of affirmation. What better place to get a self esteem boost than your stylist's chair? Val was very knowledgable about her business and her services. She has her client's well being in mind.
Taking pictures and getting to help someone fulfill their dreams! Now, I have a quick disclaimer. This article is about my mom. Yes. My mom. I know it is a bit cliche and maybe a little personal... But when the blog inspiration strikes, I must listen!
So what does my photography business have to do with my mother? Well my mom happens to be a very talented lady. Yes, I am a little biased because I love her. But truly, she is brilliant. For the sake of giving her personhood in this post, I will be calling her by her first name, Amy. Amy is a writer. I am not sure at what age she began. Was it was journaling as a teenager? Was it was writing short stories as a child? I know she liked to write songs and play her guitar in high school. As long as I have known her, Amy has displayed a knack for the written word. She has a beautifully creative way of expressing thoughts and ideas. When I was a kid, I remember her creating fun bedtime stories for my sister and I. As we got older, she took a creative writing class and eventually began writing a historical fiction novel.
Amy did not finish that novel, but the process of writing many chapters, and doing in-depth historical research helped to shape who she is as a writer. Perhaps she will pick up that quest again someday...
Today Amy's quest is in a very different writing medium. Amy has just begun her first blog. Though writing a blog means less writing on one specific story or topic, it, in no way, means less writing. I gawked at my mentor when she suggested I write a blog post three times a week. Sure that would be ideal for my business, but really, I would have to change my schedule to make time for it. Amy decided to commit to blogging five days a week. FIVE. Maybe that is completely normal in the blog community, but I think that was very ambitious! Amy has kept true to her word and posted on her blog every single weekday since its launch on February 1.
Amy has five "topics" to each match a day of the week. Monday is Faith. This is where Amy discusses her beliefs as a Christian and gives daily wisdom and advice. Wednesday is Family. Family is something Amy values greatly and this is reflected in her writing as she explores what family means and how to take care of your relationships with them. On Thursday, Amy tells stories about Friends and she discusses ways to maintain these important relationships. Friday is Fluff day! Fluff is essentially a "catch all" where Amy can explore ideas outside of her other categories. Sometimes she share recipes, cleaning tips, movie ideas, or anything else that strikes her fancy. Usually it is something fun and lighthearted!
You may have noticed that I skipped Tuesday. Tuesday is my favorite day. Tuesday is Fashion day! Amy, aka Stylin Granny Mama, is not only a writer, but a pretty great fashionista! She loves shopping and learning about popular colors and various ways to accessorize. But Amy doesn't dress like a 28-year-old wannabe, Amy dresses in a way that flatters both her age and her body type. She is so excited to help other women, real women, learn to do the same!
Amy asked me to help her with images for her blog. It was a no brainer for her. Daughter = Photographer? Perfect! I am not only a relatively new photographer, but I had never done anything fashion related before! However, I adore details and photographing beautiful individuals, so I couldn't refuse! It has been quite an adventure! There are many things I hope to get better at as I learn more about how to best display Stylin Granny Mama's amazing wardrobe ideas. We have done two fashion sessions and will be planning for the summer shoot soon!
I really hope you enjoy looking at these images and I hope you will take a moment to check out this talented lady's blog!
