Tell us about yourself! We’d love to hear about your family, hobbies, and favorite food- tell us about your favorite things!
Hi! I am an adventuring mama and love to take my daughter (soon to be daughters!) out hiking, camping, and exploring! I love finding happiness in the little things, sharing positivity wherever I go, and inspiring women to find strength within themselves, to be brave, and to feel beautiful.
What is your favorite thing about being a photographer?
My favorite thing as a photographer is connecting with people, especially women. Hearing their stories and finding a way to showcase that in their images. Everyone has been on their own incredible journey and I am just in awe daily of these amazing humans and love helping build them up.
What is the name of your company?
Wild Roses Boudoir
Talk to us about your life pre-photography (if applicable). Did you have a day job? Do you still have that day job? If not, when did you quit? If you did have a day job prior to becoming a full time photographer, what did you learn from your day job? Are there any lessons you learned that carried over into your photography business? Tell us the story that got you to where you are today!
I’ve been photographing since I was little, as I grew older my camera became my companion on road trips and my reason to travel and see the country. But I was never raised to follow my dreams. I was raised to go to school, get a job that pays the bills; stay the course. So I did. I had a successful career that I worked hard to get in the finance industry/sales.
I was always one of the best for customer service and being a people person, working well as a team, creative marketing ideas. I learned a lot of valuable skills across the spectrum. And I was content, it paid for my lifestyle and gave me the ability to travel. I became pregnant right before covid hit, and so many changes took place.
Changes in my workplace environment became a little less welcoming, more hostile; changes in me wanting something more out of life, more passion, and to be with my daughter more. The biggest motivator was how could I tell my daughter to chase her dreams if I wasn’t chasing mine? So mid pandemic I launched my photography business. After all the best time to start a new job or take on a new endeavor is when you already have one, so luckily the risk was low then.
Can you tell us more about your photography business prior to joining Mastermind, what you did when you started, previous genres shot, clients per month/year, last calendar year revenue, IPS involvement, and average sale?
Prior to joining Mastermind I only did Family/Couples/Newborn photography, averaging about $5000 a year working super part time maybe 10-15 clients a year and with no IPS. I changed my pricing structure towards the end so my average sale was $800-1000 but never fully committed to the business.
I wasn’t doing any kind of marketing besides some social media posting. I more so wanted to get my name out there and build a foundation so whenever I was ready to really invest myself and my time into it I would have it already running. What I think was holding me back was that I really wanted to venture into the world of Boudoir but was so intimidated.
Who the heck was I to jump into something that was already so niche, and what kind of support would I receive from family and friends? At the end of the day I had to follow my heart. I had been researching and educating myself on boudoir years, it was time to take the leap. I joined Mastermind Jan 2023 and officially launched my Boudoir side Feb 2023.
Can you share some details about your work after joining Mastermind, including the first thing implemented, the current genre being shot, clients per month/year, YTD and monthly revenue, IPS involvement, average sale, and most purchased items by clients (digital, albums, or wall art)?
The reason I joined the Mastermind prior to officially launching Boudoir was because I wanted to have that successful foundation in place first. I wanted to have the kinks worked out, to be able to learn from others mistakes or emulate their wins. I didn’t want to fumble around looking for what might work, change things again and again til I figured it out.
I found the program and the people who I wanted to be, that resonated with me the most. I was laid off of my job in July 2023. 2024 is my first-year full time, I was able to studio share and have a steady place to shoot, averaging about 4 clients a month with a $3400 average sale. YTD I am at about $40k, monthly ranging from a couple thousand to $15k. I have IPS session a few days after their shoot, most clients opt for buying a collection with some added wall art or display items.
Do you have support staff? If so, tell us about them! For example- how many photographers, HMUAs, assistants, managers, etc. do you employ?
I do not employ anyone at this time, I have two main HMUA that are independent, and I have a VA I pay on an as needed basis to help with bookings/inquiries.
How much revenue total has your studio brought in since joining Mastermind?
Total revenue since joining MM is about $60k. I know that may not seem like much, I am not a high volume studio and am about to go on maternity leave. So I am more than happy with that and know that next year I will break six figures.
What is your advice to photographers just starting out? What is your advice to photographers who are full-time and struggling? Remember your own journey – what were your biggest struggles and what you wish someone had told you? 🙂
Stick to your guns and stick to your pricing. Don’t lower your standards or pricing just to keep up with the low ballers. Charge your worth. Otherwise, it’ll take forever to get back on top.
What areas do you still want to grow in? Do you have any big goals that you are still looking to accomplish?
I still have so much to learn. I will be taking over my own studio this year and after my daughter is born will be grinding to grow profits, to find my own unique style creatively with sets, to really dig into marketing and community outreach. To set myself up for financial success and build a business and lifestyle that can support my family.
What is your biggest accomplishment – work and non-work related? Since your studio became successful, what is the coolest thing you’ve been able to do?
Be with my daughter(s). Absolutely, the fact that I can create my own hours and only work two days a week and be with my daughter to raise her, to be able to take maternity leave and not worry or stress about returning to work.
And to hear my name in the community, it’s amazing when I hear people refer me or talk about my business! I was able to run a sale with 15 other local women owned businesses to help market and support them.
Please list any awards won and/or distinctions you would like noted in the article.
Published artist on Bare Bones Boudoir Magazine, Framed Photographer Magazine, and Cover & Featured Artist on Shutter Up Magazine.
