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SubscribeAlright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sydney Tyson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sydney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Being a business owner-especially in a creative industry where it seems like there’s another truly amazing photographer everywhere you look- can be so intimidating. I find myself constantly comparing my business, work, and interactions to other creatives, but I think it’s only normal with the added layer of loss compared to a regular job. As the only employee of my photography business, if I take a sick day or if I have an off day, I don’t have a team to keep me on track and help me play catch up like I used to. All that to say that being a business owner is stressful. But it is also *so* rewarding. I am so much happier in my current role as a business owner than I have ever been at another job before. I get to do something that I absolutely love and adore and I get to provide images and an experience for people that will be cherished for a long time to come. That alone makes any stress or self doubt that comes with the job so beyond worth it. Sure, sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I never took the leap to start my own business and if I was still working a 9-5 office job, but I would never wish to go back and give up the personal, professional, and creative freedom and sense of reward that comes with being a photographer.
Sydney , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Sydney- wedding and portrait photographer, wife, and mom of two, serving the state of Michigan with timeless and joyful imagery. Aside from my family and my job, a few of my favorite things include cheesecake, movie nights, traveling, Italian food, football, candles, and decorating.
Photography for me started as a passion in high school. I learned on a film camera and how to work in a darkroom where I fell in love with the creative side of photography. I continued shooting for fun occasionally through college, but it wasn’t until my sophomore year when my cousin asked me to take his senior portraits that I realized “hey, maybe I could make this a career.”
My last two years of college were spent finishing my PR degree and building my photography business by shooting anything and everything people would let me. After college I accepted a full time position in the marketing department of a local non profit where I worked for two years before going full time in photography in April 2022.
Now, I am a full blown full time photographer (and it still feels surreal to say out loud sometimes!) I primarily shoot weddings and engagements, but I will always have a passion for the other portraits that started my business, so I do still take on a select amount of family, lifestyle newborn, maternity, and senior sessions.
Boiled down, my “why” is to create joyful, emotive images for families to cherish for generations to come. That starts by making the whole photography experience more than just a photo session. Making my clients feel comfortable and confident from start to finish is so important to me. I truly believe that having fun during a session, building a connection, and providing as much support and education as I possibly can through the whole experience can change genuine feel of a gallery. I strive to capture truly joyous images, and when you are confident, comfortable and excited to be in front of my camera it makes such a big difference! So many of my clients turn into friends and it is the biggest compliment and best feeling!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The majority of my clients come from referrals, mostly from other vendors, past clients, or even online supporters. I think it is so important to keep brand consistency across every platform, from online to the people I meet in real life. For me and my business, my brand is essentially myself and my work, which is why it is so important to me to build those meaningful relationships not only with clients but with other industry professionals. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without the support of other photographers, vendors, and of course my clients. But I also wouldn’t be where I am without the support of sometimes complete strangers who cheer me on and pass along my information because they’ve seen me be consistent both in person and online. I’ve learned to never underestimate the impact of a friendly conversation. You never know where your next referral could come from!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that other photographers are competition. I think in the beginning stages of staring any business, other people offering similar services to you is intimidating. In the world of photography especially there are so many amazing creatives for clients to choose from. At first it was a tough pill to swallow. It seemed impossible that out of all the options, people would choose me. I am still crippled by self comparison and doubt sometimes, but I’ve learned that so are the majority of my peers. I’ve also learned that those photographers I would have initially viewed as competition are my biggest support system! The network I have now has provided more referrals and support than I ever could have imagined.
Along the same lines, I’ve come to realize that even if there wasn’t “competition,” I wouldn’t be able to serve everyone anyway. The clients I have been fortunate enough to work with have all been so amazing and the future clients I will get to work with will pick me out of all the other options because we’re the best match for each other. In simple words, my ideal clients will find me and your ideal clients will find you. And that is perfectly okay! Every day I truly feel so fortunate to serve the clients I do and to continue to grow as a photographer, business owner, and creative.
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