We recently connected with Heather Strickland and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Many of my clients have shown appreciation for my work. I have several fond memories of clients gifting me everything from custom cookies and fruit bouquets for my birthday, to beautiful fresh flowers just because they know I love them. Some have even gifted me gorgeous dream dresses for my client closet.

One thing I have in my favor is my ability to simply relate to others. I know how they are feeling when they are standing in front of my camera. I know the insecurity and vulnerability. I give of myself 110%. I believe clients feel that, and in turn, reciprocate it. One of the kindest things they do is leave me Google business reviews, refer my business, and invite their friends to follow my social media pages. It’s honestly things like that that really make a difference to small businesses like mine. I feel truly blessed that my clients continue to support me. In fact, I have been named DeSoto’s Best Photographer (DeSoto Times Tribune) five years in a row, and I am currently in the voting round for 2024! The fact that my clients take time to vote for me year after year means so much. These are all the kindnesses that I love and appreciate.

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 started taking photographs as a hobby. Over time, I became disenfranchised with climbing the corporate ladder, because contrary to what I planned, the closer to the top I got, the more disenchanted I grew with corporate life.

I began doing freelance portrait photography, then fledged to full-time around 8 years ago. It wasn’t a conscious decision, so much as a feeling that I had to do this. I do believe God led me on this path.

When I started out, I tried my hand at a little of everything to find my niche: portraits, events, even newborn photography. Over time, I found my passions, and continue to this day to hone my skills in the fields of portrait photography, headshots, personal branding, senior portraits, architectural photography and real estate photography. One of my favorite groups to work with has become teens and tweens, so I plan to grow that side of my business even more.

I also learned to enjoy pageant headshot photography. I truly never thought I would be doing something like that, but the young ladies I have worked with encompass so many ideals that you see lacking in many people. It’s encouraging, and their passions and kindness inspire me. I have been blessed to help contestants add Best Portfolio and Most Photogenic to their name, and have worked with local teen pageant contestants and winners, as well as Miss United States!

Headshots are a specialty of mine, where I have clients who have literally driven from other states just for my service. What an honor! Like I said earlier, I know exactly how my clients feel, and I also know what it feels like to be on the other side of the camera, so I feel I know how to make my clients relax. This is especially true for those 40 and up, because at that point, we all want to look like we did in our 20’s, but things are starting to show up on our faces that not everyone welcomes! I embrace aging, and try to help my clients see and appreciate their own beauty. Lighting and posing can be the difference between absolutely aging a client, or bringing out their natural beauty and letting it shine.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Oh my goodness, well, apart from the obvious, being that I actually get paid to do what I want and love, I would say the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is seeing my work in print. Every single time it’s like Christmas. I absolutely cannot wait to see a client’s order printed, and especially put up on their walls.

I love telling the stories. I love capturing the true personalities. I love helping others love themselves in portraits and headshots. I love getting to experience intimate moments like when I photograph a proposal, or just getting to know someone in a quiet studio environment, and translating that into their portraits. I love working with my clients, and becoming almost instant friends with them. There is so much to my job that I love.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

When the pandemic came, obviously photography took a major hit. No one wanted to be right in someone else’s face. Social distancing was pretty mandatory. So I tried to embrace the unexpected. In fact, the year of the pandemic was my largest net profit to that date. What did I do to survive? Simply, I dealt with it. Failure for me was not an option, and I kept so busy, it wasn’t even a thought. Instead of despairing, I was able to find ways to ensure safety in the studio when it was allowed. Because people were working from home, they were buying houses, and I did a lot of real estate photography. I did full headshot sessions outdoors. I never thought it would kill my business, and so it never did.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heather-strickland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherstricklandphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherSPhoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heather-strickland-photography

Image Credits

All image credits go to Heather Strickland Photography