We recently connected with Angela Terrell and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

I was working full time as an Art Director in a corporate office when a colleague asked if I would consider photographing her maternity session. I remember feeling both surprised and truly honored that she trusted me to capture such an important milestone in her life.

When she shared her photos with our coworkers, something unexpected happened. People from the office began reaching out to ask about photography sessions. Word spread in a way I never could have planned.

What began as a single maternity session quietly turned into multiple bookings and eventually a life changing opportunity. Just two years later, I was able to leave my corporate role and pursue photography full time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Photography gave me the chance to build a career independent of the corporate lifestyle. Today, as a portrait photographer, I focus on genuine, unscripted moments. My goal is to create images that feel natural and timeless while giving clients something tangible to hold onto as the years pass.

My work is about connection. I create spaces where everyone feels comfortable and naturally themselves.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my audience on social media grew slowly and organically, just like my business did. In the beginning, I simply shared my work consistently and focused on connection.

As a former Art Director, I was intentional about creating a cohesive visual identity. I paid attention to light, color, and content so that when someone landed on my page it felt consistent. Word of mouth also played a huge role. When clients had a great experience, they shared their images and tagged me. That kind of authentic referral is impactful.

For those just starting out, my advice is simple. Be consistent. Share your work regularly, engage with your community, the power of compounding is amazing. Growth takes time, but if you stay genuine and committed, the right people will find you.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My photography business didn’t require a huge amount of capital to begin. When I started, I was still working full time as an Art Director, which gave me stability. I invested slowly and purchased quality equipment piece by piece instead of all at once. I reinvested back into the business, upgrading gear and tools as I grew.

Because my background was in art and design, I was able to handle branding, marketing, and creative direction myself, which significantly reduced startup costs. I kept things simple in the beginning. Natural light, meaningful locations, and a strong client experience mattered more than having every new piece of equipment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mixednutsphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixednutsphotography/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-t-58495814