We were lucky to catch up with Alison Hillman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Alison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
The plan was to do my photography full-time when I became a Mom. But motherhood didn’t seem to be in the cards for us then. When my husband was promoted at work, we realized it was an excellent time to try. My husband said I had to be 100% in or nothing. We adopted our son, and from the time we learned a birth mother had chosen us to the time of birth, it was 57 days. Then, the world shut down due to COVID-19, and portrait photographers were deemed non-essential. God has always directed my path, and while things might seem bonkers at the time, they make sense in hindsight. I’m glad I leaped exactly when I did.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have always been one to have a camera in my hand. I studied journalism in school, and, no matter what, was always drawn back to a camera. I named my business “been.there.photography” because I have been. While I have been advised over the last few years to tweak the name, it’s proven that it is perfect. First being a youth director, to then an aunt, to now a Mama: I’m the kid whisperer. Losing my Dad so young taught me the worth of a photograph and its power to freeze time. Then jumping into full-time entrepreneurship with both feet, I get what other business owners are going through in saturated markets.
I love getting to know my families. I get to become a part of their village by watching them grow. Sometimes, as wedding clients, turned friends, then into fabulous parents. I am trusted to be there when they celebrate big moments or learn of terminal news. Seeing another business owner succeed after helping them makes me squeal. I have the best job on the planet.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I am good enough. That was the biggest lesson. Imposter syndrome is an evil thing that attacks so many creatives. Pay your dues. Show up. Take yourself seriously first, and own your stuff.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I first dove into full-time entrepreneurship, I took every dollar of business that came my way. I had to learn to trust the process. Not all money is good money. I wasn’t a good fit for every client. My mentor, Larry Cohn, advised me to stop being like a Chinese food menu. You have your favorite takeout spot. They have many things that are good enough on nights you don’t want to cook, but nothing that is their thing. I had to learn my thing.
That is when I narrowed my offerings to families (seniors, kiddos, and couples), weddings and events, and branding for small businesses. I started shooting for a real estate magazine, making me an expert in helping realtors. This has led to my facilitating workshops, teaching branding classes for entrepreneurs, and moderating panels at business events. I have learned to lean into the business that spoke to me and gave me joy. BTP by Alison has become so much more than clicking buttons on a camera.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.btpbyalison.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/btpbyalison
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/btpbyalison
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/btpbyalison/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@btpbyalison
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/btp-by-alison-branding-and-events-by-a-st-louis-photographer-st-louis?osq=btp+by+alison&override_cta=Get+pricing
