We recently connected with Stacey Nedrow Ross and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

How did you actually start?

I’ve been taking photos since I was a teenager and always knew it was more than a hobby.

In college, I studied Art History and while I didn’t pursue a career in it, what I learned filters into my work as a photographer to this day. Elements of fantastic artwork and elements of a great photo are really quite similar.

At age 19, I started working as a portrait photographer inside our local mall. This was the start to my forever career. After a decade of working in the studio, my husband, Brent, and I welcomed our first son and I knew if I wanted to balance being a new mom and still work at my passion, I would have a lot more flexibility and freedom if I went out on my own. It was scary! But also, beyond exciting. I have to credit Brent for being so supportive as I made a big leap for our family.

The relationships I built over the years at the studio were vast and soon I was booking clients. I only shot on location at the beginning, because I had no studio. Fun fact, I did my first Christmas minis out of my living room and used my own Christmas tree. It was definitely a learn-and-go process.

I also started to buy more equipment as the months went on. I found my first studio space about a year into my entrepreneurial journey and while adding rent to our family bills seemed daunting at first, I knew the only way to grow was to have an internal space.

My business is 90% referral-based and everyone supported me as Stacey Louise Photography became a permanent in my life. Through the years I met new families, honed my craft, continued to collect props and furniture and backdrops, adding quite a collection of choices for my clients. I expanded into providing not just portraits, but senior photos, corporate headshots and team photos, among others. I take photos outdoors and in-studio and I am always looking for new spots and hidden gems.

I learned how to price my services, how to provide a true experience for my clients and even team with printers to provide the best quality photos.

In November of 2020, I moved to another studio, this time on a highly traveled road. While the pandemic was an absolute challenge, I spent the time getting my new place ready, as I knew clients would be back before I knew it. It was a good time to reflect on how far I had come and how much more I had to learn.

I am now 20 years into my business and I can’t imagine my life looking any other way. The families I have met, the milestones I have been a part of, the creativity I could foster – it’s all magical. I look forward to the next 20!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Stacey Ross, Owner of Stacey Louise Photography located in Greensburg, PA. I am married to my wonderful husband, Brent, and we have a son named Brody who is in middle school.

I got into the photography business because it’s always been part of my life and making a career out of what you love the most sounded great to me.

I offer portrait sessions for kids and teens; families; maternity and newborn; and corporate photos for branding or headshots. I provide seasonal photos for fall, spring and holidays, including mom and me sessions and just for fun sessions. If my clients have an idea, I’m happy to talk to them about it. I also take photos for local schools, theatre and dance companies and I am always looking to expand my work in that area.

The problem I solve for clients is the lack of updated photos on their walls! It’s great to have photos in your phone, but for lasting memories, I like to create packages that include printed photos, so the memories aren’t just digital, they are tangible and can be passed down in the family. I also help with styling and posing so that my clients feel at ease coming into their sessions. This sets me apart from others because I am with my clients through the entire process and beyond, not just on photo day.

I’m most proud when I walk into the home of a friend and I see my photos on their wall. I’m most proud when someone says they know me because they saw my work online and loved it. I’m most proud when I see the joy in the faces of my clients. I’m most proud when someone feels I’ve truly captured their personality or their family vibe in a photo. I’m most proud to do what I love every single day and provide the best experience possible.

Anyone thinking about coming to me for photos should call or email me with any questions or ideas. My goal is to use my expertise to ease any concerns before coming into the studio and to bring client visions to life. I am here for you.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Photography is extremely competitive. Many fantastic people are doing exactly what I do in the same area. I think collaborating is one of the main things in helping build my reputation. There is room for all of us. One of my very best friends has a photography studio in the same town as I do and we are a great network and support partner for one another. I also think my work has helped build my reputation. I try to think out of the box. I work to find locations that others might not be using. I do creative projects, offer seasonal deals, use high-quality equipment and work with my clients through the entire process from initial call, to styling, to posing and choosing photos to print. I also strive to be an active part of the community, working for my son’s local theatre group, taking photos and volunteering time to design sets and costumes.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

“But what is your real job?” I do hear this from time to time and I have to laugh. I know for a non-creative it might be hard to imagine what I do as anything but a hobby, but I’m here to say that even though this is my passion and yes, it’s a lot of fun, I do see the other side of the work. I don’t have a team of people, so I do all the administrative work, all the editing, all the invoicing, all the tax prep, handle all the studio needs, order equipment, do all the marketing and social media, and work with vendors and the community. It’s given me a great perspective on how hard all of those jobs are and I love talking to people about what it truly means to be a creative entrepreneur. It’s the best thing in the world and also ever-evolving.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @staceylouisephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyLouisePhotography
• Youtube: @staceylouisephotography561

Image Credits
Behind the scenes photos by Doug Estok (Pittsburgh Performance Photography)