We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bekah Worster. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bekah below.
Bekah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Many parents bring their wild and energetic children to me. They are usually very nervous because past photoshoots went horribly wrong. They apologize a lot the first time because of their children running around. I embrace it and have the kids play games and involve parents in ways the children forget they are taking photos. The end product is an amazing gallery that captures their childrens’ true personalities, the essence of the family, and genuine smiles and laughter. Once they see I embrace the chaos, they become regulars and recommend me to their friends. I have carried this through engagement sessions, weddings, and other events. The biggest compliment I have received is when people say a particular photo capture the spirit and love of the people.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I first picked up a camera around 30 years ago. As a child, I put my stuffed animals in fun poses to tell a story and loved taking photos of flowers. As a young adult, I loved taking artistic shots and scenery photos. I was working with a point and shoot and a basic photo editor. One day, a local restaurant owner approached me and asked to use my photos in his restaurant. That was pretty exciting! I sometimes dabbled in family sessions. After my parents passed away in 2015, I learned the importance of photographs. I picked my camera back up and never looked back. I slowly grew by taking pictures of families I knew and advertising very cheap photo sessions.
Being a bigger girl, with a lot of self image issues, I recognize quickly when someone is nervous in front of the camera. Over the years I have learned what helps ease my clients during a session and allow them to have fun. I will never forget when one of my clients was nervous about her photos. I showed her the RAWs on the back of my camera and she cried, “I can be beautiful!” I felt that. I am behind the camera for a reason, so to hear someone realize their own beauty is a huge accomplishment. Little did she know it was her being natural and relaxed. I love showing tricks with poses, the before and afters. Clients always seem to appreciate it and they can use it in personal photos outside of the session.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
A majority of my new clients come from word of mouth or community groups on social media.. Often times, I get an email from a client requesting a session because a previous client sent them my photos.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of my most popular sessions are at a Christmas Tree Farm. I have around 35-40 sessions in a weekend. It wasn’t always that lucrative. When I first rented my spot at the farm, I was very nervous if I would book the sessions. I took a risk and paid for advertising on social media. The sessions blew up and grew over the years. Now I have a release date for booking with my previous clients and subscribers. It has become a tradition for several families. I get to see them grow over the years. One couple I met at the farm when they were dating. Over the years I captured after they married, their gender reveal for their first child, and photos for their now family of 4.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bekahwphotography.com
- Instagram: @bekahwphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BekahWPhotography
