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

Hi Ayla, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Ayla Rose Photography was born when I had my first child. My first daughter’s middle name is Rose and when I brought her into the world, I wanted to preserve every special moment. That was my inspiration to switch over from primarily nature/travel photography to people photography. Most clients assume Rose is my middle name – it’s not — but I like it more than my middle name, so I don’t mind!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Ayla Soma, I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer, a wife, mom of two girls (with identical twin boys on the way), and a hobby farmer. I’m based out of Hastings, Minnesota – but I travel pretty much anywhere for weddings. Over the years since starting my business, I have offered services in many types of photography. As I fine-tune my skills and interests, I am now mainly focused on wedding/engagement photography, family/lifestyle photography, and I have special interest in anything with a fun theme (bonus points if animals are involved). I love to provide a fairytale/storybook feel with the style and editing of my photos. It’s fun to evolve and grow as an artist with each passing year.

I’ve found that many of my wedding clients are surprised by how many hats I wear on their wedding day (and the days leading up to it). Not everyone hires a coordinator and while that makes my job more difficult, I’m capable of juggling various responsibilities to make sure their day flows smoothly. I’m proud of the multitasking skills I have developed, and the stress-free experience I’m always trying to provide. When the wedding day goes as planned, that means that both the clients and I will have the time and energy that we need for those dreamy photos. I really can’t emphasize how much a wedding photographer has to do that isn’t related to actually taking pictures in order to ensure that we get the shots we need. Whether we are running back and forth relaying messages, asking the venue to turn on the twinkle lights, or finding someone to shift the altar so the ceremony is symmetrical, my mind is constantly in proactive mode. This is a huge area where my second shooter, Hannah Maloney, comes in. She is amazing at providing support to me, the bride, or performing any random task that pops up. As a former hair stylist with wedding experience, she adds such value to my team by giving advice about bridal hair, putting in veils when no one knows how, buttoning dresses when there aren’t enough hands available, giving pep-talks to nervous brides right before the first look, and she’s even mastering the art of flat-lay photography. As a team, it truly feels like we bring the whole package to the table and I’m excited for next year with her by my side.

In 2022, I booked 24 weddings between April and October. It was a wild ride, especially after finding out we are pregnant with twins halfway through the summer. With babies number three AND four expected to arrive in a few months, I have limited my wedding bookings for 2023. It breaks my heart turning away excited brides, but I’m always checking in with myself and my schedule to make sure I can bring 100% to every client. I’m incredibly thankful for the outpouring of support I have received from clients over the past wild year, and I want to thank all of you for understanding when I’m fully booked or taking some time off. No one tells you that as a business owner one of the hardest things is finding that sweet spot of work/life balance. Just because your work and business CAN explode, doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself in it, and in order to avoid burnout, it’s essential you don’t overdo it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think the main difference between a creative career and a non-creative career is the type of energy you have to bring to your job. At every photoshoot or wedding, I have to be tuned into my creative side – keeping a fresh and authentic point of view, while also handling a lot of tasks that aren’t creative-based. Staying inspired and giving all of yourself to each client can be draining and lead to burn-out if you ignore the signs. Learning to check into that inspired/out-of-the-box thinking part of yourself while shooting and editing is a learned skill. When I first started out, I would do shoots or edit when I felt inspired or motivated to try something new. But as a full-time photographer, you have to learn how to switch that part of yourself on regularly, whether you feel like it or not.

Taking time off, learning from other photographers/creatives, and trying something new to shake up how you normally do things are all great ways to keep yourself from creative burnout. I think every full-time creative finds a point in their career when they have to decide where their limit is, and if they don’t stay mindful of it, they might lose their passion in the process.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Bringing your best self to each new or existing client is the most successful way to establish a good reputation while also leading to word-of-mouth referrals. Being punctual, professional, down-to-earth, and fun are important traits to bring as a photographer. Never underestimate how important it is for your clients to feel comfortable in front of your camera. Don’t force something if it doesn’t feel authentic, and provide consistent communication/feedback, while taking note of the feedback you’re getting from them. I love that my clientele is largely a web of clients that know each other or heard of me from other clients, I often lose track of who knows who, or find myself shooting for many members of families or friend groups. It keeps things fun and intimate having a lot of return clients, and that’s my favorite way to watch the web of new clients grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aylarosephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aylarose.photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aylarosephotography/