We were lucky to catch up with Vickie Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vickie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Before becoming a professional photographer I spent over 25 years as a law firm marketer, managing the reputation and brand of several major law firms throughout the East Coast. I enjoyed my jobs but was DONE working in an office.

Having this new career is an unexpected bonus. Most people my age are ramping down, traveling, golfing, spending time with grandkids. I’m in the studio several days a week or on location, shooting headshots and business portraits. No two shoots are ever the same. I have a full roster of makeup artists, assistants and art directors, as well as a network of models that are involved in my client work. Because technology is so crucial to photography, I’m constantly learning new programs and techniques. I’m having a blast. This was never part of the plan but I’m so grateful to have a creative career after so long in the corporate world. My transition to photography was deliberate and thoughtful. The timing was perfect.

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 started Vickie Gray Images in 2016. Photography was a hobby I had taken up a few years earlier. I had no intention of starting a business, or taking photos for money. But folks started asking for headshots and portraits. I charged them a few bucks, then got better at it and started charging more. I rented a cool studio in an old warehouse, then a bigger place in a renovated historic mill building. I built a website and started getting bookings from all sorts of clients. Every year my income increased. My clients are successsful, interesting people from all walks of life — lawyers, doctors, actors, business people, consultants and the military. They are incredibly diverse and always appreciative.

What sets me apart is my marketing experience. I had a successful career helping “package” high-profile lawyers and law firms who had internationally known clients, so I understand how important it is for professionals to project an image of confidence and trust. No other Baltimore photographer has such a unique combination of corporate and creative experience.

I’m most proud of the fact that I started from ground zero with photography. I purchased my first ever camera in 2009 and had to learn every aspect of photography, from composition to exposure to editing. I had no mentor and few teachers. Made quite a few mistakes but kept at it. I’m now recognized as one of the top headshot photographers in Baltimore, providing headshots and business portraits that advance your career and enhance your brand.

The main thing I want clients to know is that I never take them, or their wishes, for granted. Whatever they want to accomplish with their photos is what I want to accomplish. I work hard to give my clients a fun and satisfying experience as well as photos that are flattering and effective. My clients are the best part of this business.

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?

Being proficient with technology is an enormous part of being a professional photographer. In addition to maintaining a website, I use several editing programs that are constantly evolving and require ongoing education. Many photographers (including myself) use specialized studio management software programs to automate booking, billing and reporting. Then there’s equipment! Cameras, lenses, lights and studio gear all need to be maintained — firmware updated, sensors cleaned, lenses calibrated.

Most people aren’t aware of how much non-photography work goes into maintaining a photography business. For every hour I spend behind the camera, I spend probably 3 or 4 hours editing photos, communicating with clients, sending invoices, and uploading files to various galleries. I constantly update the photos on my website, and send a monthly newsletter, which involves adding the names of every new client to my email list. Then, of course, there’s posting on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn several times a week.

All these tasks go into creating a polished, consistent product for my clients. It’s kind of amusing when someone says “Oh, you have such a great eye for photography!” Yes, photographic talent and skill is key. But the other unsexy administrative, marketing and techology work is what really makes the business a success.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2011, I purchased my first digital camera with interchangeable lenses (I had been using a point and shoot model previously). I was excited to have this new gear with so many capabilities, and signed up for an outdoor portraiture workshop with a well-known local photographer. The workshop took place at a book festival. Only one other photographer was enrolled, so we had the instructor’s full attention.

I had spent little time with my camera, and didn’t have a clue about some of the features. As we walked through the festival grounds, the instructor would point out photo opportunities and tell us to shoot away. She then reviewed the photos on the camera display and gave us pointers. Seems like every photo I took was wrong. The exposure was off, the composition was poor, I zoomed in too far, or not enough. When she offered guidance, she appeared a bit impatient with my lack of basic photography skills (though the workshop had been promoted as an “all levels” event). At the end of the afternoon, I asked her what advice she had for me. She suggested a book by a noted photographer on the essence of composition (which I subsequently purchased and read).

I drove home that day feeling stupid and discouraged. If the purpose of the workshop was to nurture joy and excitement in creating fun photos it was a miserable failure. I was tempted to put my camera away and simply use my phone to record personal events and travel. Instead, I read books, signed up for more workshops with other instructors, and practiced whenever I could. The support of my friends and photographer colleagues gave me confidence, and I kept pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

I’m proud that I didn’t let that experience turn me away from photography. I’ve met many other incredible instructors since then, and in fact am teaching my own workshops in outdoor portraiture. But I will never forget how I felt on that lonely drive home from the festival.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vickiegrayimages.com
• Instagram: @baltimoreportraitphotographer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vickiegrayimages
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickiegray/

Image Credits
All images were photographed by Vickie Gray.