We recently connected with Laura Stork and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
This is such a difficult question to answer because I do believe that everything happens the way it should and when it should. However, there is one thing I would say was holding me back and I would do differently was to start over. When people ask me the question “when did you start photography?” I do not know how to answer because I honestly have had a camera in my hand as long as I can remember. I try to base my answer on when I was being paid for sessions, which leads me to answering what I would do differently if I started over. I think my biggest challenge in starting my business was one I created myself. The way I hindered my business was by not believing in myself and not pricing myself where my mentors were suggesting I start I wasted a lot of time avoiding and making excuses for not increasing prices to where they should be. I was so worried if I increased them that I would lose my clients, plus imposter syndrome had hit me hard. Once I put faith in myself and my skill things really started to take off for me. I am now booking clients who truly value my art and I wish I would have had the confidence to do that sooner. When I talk to new photographers in the industry I always tell them not to cater to the price shoppers.
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 am a Northern Kentucky Photographer, most of the work I do is in the Kentucky, Ohio area, but am always wiling to travel! I began professionally doing photography in 2016, that seems like a lifetime ago when I think about the growth I have made. I mostly photograph weddings, couples and boudoir, however I do some family and newborn shoots from time to time. I would say my business really took off when I had my daughter in 2021 and I decided to take a step away from teaching and be a stay at home mom/photographer. Taking this leap both opened my schedule for photography and allowed me to spend more time with my daughter. I get to create my own work schedule and throw myself into my business. Without the support of my husband I would still be full time teaching and would have had to give up my dream of being a full time photographer. Logistically there would not have been enough time in the day for me to be a parent, have a full time job teaching, and part time photographer. Photography has always been a passion of mine, in fact my parents have some pictures of me as a 6 year old holding a camera, it has always come naturally for me. When I reflect on the last 7 years of my business I realize it took me a long time to find my “style” of photography, probably longer than it does for most. I went back and forth on styles, learning different techniques, loving parts of some, hating parts of others, then finally landed on my style, something that felt very me. I consider my style to be true to life, natural documentary style photography. I want my images to tell a story and to show emotion. I never want me images to feel too posed or fake, I want to feel something when I see the images. It is magical to be able to creating art and capture moments in a way that seems like a memory. As far as shooting weddings, I love it, I love everything about it, from initial client meetings, setting timelines, and the hustle of day of. I’m not going to lie, it is exhausting, but so so worth it. Outside of weddings I enjoy working with my couples through all of their milestones; engagements, weddings, newborns and growing families. It is so rewarding to create relationships and friendships with clients. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to do something that I love.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It is so hard to nail down one thing that is the most rewarding aspect of being a creative, but I will try. Being photographed is something that so many people are nervous about, they worry about their hair, their body, their outfit, everything! I can’t blame them because I am the exact same way when I get my pictures taken. For some reason being photographed can feel so puts vulnerable. I feel so much enjoyment when I am at a shoot and guiding my clients through their session and see them having fun, and slowly loosening up. I like to show my clients pictures I am taking as we go and really hyping them up for the amazing people they are. It is such a rewarding feeling to have clients walk away feeling confident in themselves. This feeling continues when I deliver the gallery to the clients and I see they are sharing them on social media/printing them for their homes, that brings another level of joy.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Hands down the one thing that significantly impacted my business was investing in myself. I put off mentorships for YEARS because I did not feel ready, I was too nervous to have someone in the industry look at my work, it made me so self conscious. It ended up being the exact opposite, they were able to empower me to price myself where I deep down knew I should be, how to continue to grow my style and just be someone I can go to if I have questions. When I look back it was the one thing that helped me grow my business. Having another photographer give me advice/help me set goals and decide how I wanted to run my business was priceless. I will never stop investing in myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lilacsagephotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: @lilacandsagephotography
- Facebook: Lilac & Sage Photography
Image Credits
Got It Photography