Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alexa, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
It’s kind of hard for me to answer whether or not I am happier as a business owner, as it is technically the only thing I have ever really been outside of a few part-time jobs in high school. I grew up watching my father run his own business and my mother working in the public school system. I think I knew from a young age that I wanted to be my own boss, and the short experiences I had with 9-5 jobs confirmed the need and desire for that autonomy and freedom. But after running my business for 13 years now, I would be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes wish for the ease of paid sick days and less expensive health insurance. However, I am quickly snapped back into my very fortunate reality of being able to take a 2-week vacation without asking for permission, making my own weekly schedule that prioritizes my health and happiness, and never feeling pressure to circle back and answer an email first thing Monday morning.
The flexibility of my job comes with seasonal highs and low periods. It is usually at the height of both of them that I really question how much I love self-employment. At the busiest of times, when I am working 60-80 hours a week, I long for the constraints of a 40-50-hour work week. Clocking out at a consistent time seems like a dream when I am on my way to my second or third shoot of the day at 630pm. On the other end of the spectrum, I crave the reliability of routine in the slow season when the urge to hibernate is encouraged by a schedule so sparse it is like having summer break in the winter.
I have been fortunate enough not to really feel the ups and downs of the economy that some other small business owners might feel. Even through the COVID pandemic. That is, until this year. My client base has always been very loyal, and while I am aware I am a luxury service, I have consistently booked, especially with the needs of time-sensitive sessions like maternity and newborn. However, this year has been my slowest and most reserved in purchases from clients. It is no secret that businesses like mine are a recession/inflation indicator, and everyone I talk to is feeling the same thing. A squeeze in the shape of putting things off or spending less than usual because of the uncertainty of the economy, rising prices, and, to be honest, just the general vibes feeling OFF. For the first time, I am finding myself wondering if I need to pivot to something else with the uncertainty of when/if this period will end. But like other small business owners, I have poured everything I have into the passion that is my business. It is not easy to diversify your income when you have to pour yourself into something to bring it all together successfully. For now, business is still good, just different, and there is a palpable fear in the air that any minute it could change. It is hard not to feel anxious as a small business owner in America.
I started my business right after I graduated from college. I set up my LLC and started officially paying taxes just a few months before my 23rd birthday. Still on my parents’ health insurance and hopeful for a future where healthcare is affordable and accessible to all, I pushed forward to create the service I spent years dreaming of while my friends pursued safety in 9-to-5s, busting with benefits. Now, just shy of my 36th birthday, I find myself questioning if having kids and starting a family is even feasible. I wonder if a sacrifice to the self-employment gods would offer the stability of a more abundant future with (albeit insufficient) paid maternity leave.
While this conundrum might seem like a bit of a bummer, I don’t regret my choices for one minute. I love the freedom I have, the connections I make, and the creativity that will never be stifled by a bottom line. Being immune to the melodic sound of a Teams call is a privilege that comes at the cost of having only pets for coworkers. Now, please excuse me while I circle back to some head pats and a well-deserved lunch break outside.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a family and pet photographer. I specialize in creating and curating your family archive. I have also been known as the go-to photographer when you want to include your pets in family photos, no matter how untrained or chaotic they might be. As an on-location lifestyle photographer, I focus on maternity, newborn, family, and pet documentation. I am a firm believer that if you love an image/memory, it should not require electricity to see it. Printing and preserving your photos and memories is equally important to having those milestones documented. I have a curated offering of the prettiest prints, albums, and wall art, so your photos will never live and die on a USB drive. Everything I offer has been chosen with longevity and lifelong relevance in mind. I never want to leave a client empty-handed or with a giant to-do list after their session. There is a lot of overwhelm that comes with a family archive in this digital and presentation-forward time. I aim to simplify and educate people on what exactly will work the best for them now, and also still be around to enjoy generations from now.
I am most proud of my hybrid approach to getting photos that are both posed and clear, and candid and lifelike. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up and let me freeze those moments in time. Filling your home with reminders of all the love in your life.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Easy- honesty. I have always viewed my industry as a bit of a matchmaking service. Not every photographer can or should service every client. There is always enough to go around, and there is a butt for every seat. Being an expert in the service you provide and properly managing their expectations is the best way to foster trust with your clients. I strive to be a resource for them so that if they ever have a question or need, they know exactly who to come to. I also firmly believe in never overselling a client just to make money. If I don’t think my client would benefit from something I offer or is interested in a product that wouldn’t be useful to them, I am more than happy to point them in a better direction. (Even if this means they don’t hire me) I am always elated to get a referral from a prospective client who never ended up hiring me but still referred me to someone else because they thought we would be a good fit.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
The nature of my business being family-oriented extends to my networking approach. I view all of my clients as branches of one big Alexa Nahas Photography family tree. I am lucky enough to sometimes grow very close to my clients over the years. Watching their family grow from wedding to newborn to 3 kids and 2 dogs later comes with certain “Aunt Alexa” privileges. I follow them on social media, keep up to date on all the little milestones, and check in 1-2 times a year by email to see if I can be of any use. I prefer a gentle accountability reminder over a harsh time-sensitive sales approach. My assistant and I craft and send out a monthly newsletter to stay on their minds and make sure kids have the most fun during sessions. This way it is never a chore to get over with, but rather something fun to look forward to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexanahas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexanahasphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexaNahasPhoto/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexanahasphoto
Image Credits
Alexa Nahas Photography