We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monica Burby. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monica below.

Monica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve been a photographer for over 30 years, but it wasn’t always my full-time job. Like a lot of creatives, I started out doing photography on the side while working other jobs to make ends meet. It was something I loved, and I knew I wanted to build a business around it. In 2004, I opened my own studio, Photoumbra Studios, and that was a major turning point.

In the beginning, I took on just about every kind of photography I could get. It helped me stay afloat, but it also spread me too thin. Things really started to shift when I focused on what I did best: branding photography, headshots, and corporate image work. Once I narrowed in on those services, I was able to build systems, create a better client experience, and market myself more effectively.

Some of the biggest steps forward came from investing in a strong website, learning how to show up in search results, and building partnerships with businesses. I also created a process that helped clients feel confident and taken care of, from the first conversation to final image delivery. That consistency built trust and brought in more referrals and repeat clients.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to specialize earlier and get serious about the business side much sooner. It took time, a lot of learning, and plenty of mistakes, but today I’m proud to say I earn a full-time living through my creative work. It’s been a long road, but one that’s been completely worth it.

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 Monica, the owner and lead photographer at Photoumbra Studios. I’ve been working in photography for over 30 years and opened my own studio in 2004. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a full-time business that helps people and companies show up with confidence, clarity, and professionalism through visual storytelling.

At Photoumbra Studios, we specialize in headshots, personal branding, and corporate photography. That includes team portraits, leadership imagery, behind-the-scenes shots, and high-volume headshot stations at events. We also offer virtual background options and composite solutions, which allow our clients to update their team photos seamlessly as their business grows or changes. Whether it’s an individual looking to elevate their personal brand or a company that wants to unify its image across platforms, we provide images that feel real, powerful, and strategic.

What sets us apart is the way we approach each session like a collaboration, not just a photo shoot. We start with careful planning to understand our client’s business, audience, and goals. We talk through concepts, wardrobe, and environments so that every image feels intentional and on-brand. Then we deliver a fast and polished experience, including same-day proofing and high-quality retouching.

I’m proud that we’ve been able to create an experience that takes the stress out of getting in front of the camera. Our clients often tell us they’ve never felt comfortable being photographed until working with us. That’s a win in my book. I believe in using photography not just to make people look good, but to help them feel seen and represented in a way that aligns with who they are and what they stand for.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about our brand, it’s that we care deeply about getting it right. This is not just about taking pictures. It’s about helping people show up in the world with confidence and purpose.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Looking back, I really wish I had taken advantage of more Women in Business organizations in my community early on. I spent a lot of time trying to figure things out alone, but once I started connecting with other local business owners, especially women running their own companies, everything changed. The support, ideas, and collaboration were exactly what I needed, and I only wish I had known how accessible that network was.

I also wish I had joined the local Chamber of Commerce much sooner. It opened doors I didn’t even know existed and helped me build trust and credibility in my local market. It wasn’t just about networking. It was about showing up where other business leaders were already having important conversations.

Another big lesson was advertising. I was hesitant to spend money on marketing for too long. I kept thinking I had to wait until I was “more established,” but the truth is that investing in visibility earlier would have accelerated my growth. Confidence plays a big role in that. I wish I had believed in the value I was offering enough to market it boldly from the beginning.

In short, the biggest things I wish I had known were that connection is everything, visibility matters more than perfection, and you’re probably more ready than you think.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2015, just two years after moving into a new studio space, I hit a wall. What should have been an exciting new chapter in my business became the tipping point for major burnout. I found myself dreading the sound of the phone. I didn’t even want to pick up my camera. I held onto about ten regular clients during that time, but I stopped actively pursuing new work. I just didn’t have it in me.

At the time, life outside of business was full. I was deeply involved with my family and committed to religious service, so I’ve learned to give myself some grace. Burnout happens, and sometimes the most important thing you can do is step back and allow yourself space to reset.

In 2018, I took a job teaching photography at a local high school. Around the same time, I returned to Italy, a place that played a big role in shaping my early creative journey. That trip and the experience of teaching reignited something in me. It reminded me why I started doing this in the first place.

Since then, I’ve had my foot on the gas. The business has grown in ways I never expected. But I’ve also been intentional about how I work. I put clear boundaries in place around my time and compensation. I don’t take on projects that don’t align with my values or energy anymore. That shift has made all the difference.

Pivoting wasn’t easy, but it gave me a second chance to build my business in a healthier, more sustainable way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photoumbra.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoumbra_studios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photoumbrastudios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/photoumbra/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@photoumbrastudios

Image Credits

@Photoumbra Studios