We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I have always been a creative at heart, and I’m a firm believer that all of the lessons you have learned in life come together to guide you to exactly where you need to be. For me that started when I was really young. When I was little I was constantly creating something new through every medium possible. Early on in elementary school, my Mom taught me to sew, which created a passion for the fashion industry, and lead me to attend NCSU’s College of Textiles. Yet while I was there I earned a degree in brand management and marketing while still taking fashion classes. Straight out of college, I worked for a small business where I say I learned all the things you should not do in a small business. I left there and after a very difficult pregnancy with my daughter, I picked up a camera again. I then took that valuable knowledge and opened up my own small business. Not too long after, I realized that my love for brand marketing took me full circle to move forward as a commercial photographer focusing on branding for small businesses. There are a million small stories in between but every single change in my life brought about a change in my creative medium and lead me to exactly where I am today. Every experience and every challenge gave me the valuable tools to be able to be successful where I am today.

Although life taught me a lot of amazing lessons, I could not be where I am today without my constant pursuit of learning. My mom was an educator and instilled the importance that there was always something new to learn. Her passion inspired me to become an educator as well and at her encouragement, I taught photography at the college level for many years. Although I’m not in the classroom anymore I love teaching workshops and mentoring other business owners but I spend far more time as a student. On any given day I’ve listened to at least an hour or two of a class on one of my favorite educational platforms or even a podcast or two. There is always something new to learn. The moment you feel you “know everything there is to know,” it’s probably more likely you need a good ol’ slice of humble pie because you still have an entire lifetime left to learn.

When it comes to perfecting your craft nothing will ever replace good hard and consistent work. You have to put in the time, but make sure you still leave time for yourself. Hustle culture will slowly kill you and your passion. Don’t let it consume you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A well-experienced mentor can help get you on the right path and help you get there quicker and more efficiently. Don’t be afraid to spend money to make money. Spending that $1k may make you sick to your stomach but it also may make you $10k that you never knew was possible without out. Most of all, remember that we were built for something more. We are not present on this earth to work, but to live. Never forget who, and what is most important in your life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Amber, and I am a mom, wife, educator, and an authentic storyteller. I am a dreamer who believes that we were made for more than we ever think we are capable of. I believe that each of us is placed in each other’s lives with a purpose, and exactly at the right place and time. As a multi-passionate entrepreneur, I have a fierce enthusiasm for supporting small businesses. As the owner of multiple small businesses, I stay busy but I never wear it as a badge of honor. Instead, I focus on how I can spend every moment of every day making the most impact in the lives of others and those in my community.

I am the founder of Studio 557, a creative coworking + workshop studio focused on cultivating a collaborative community for passionate entrepreneurs. Our shared studio gives photographers, videographers, content creators, and all creatives a space to create and grow their businesses. Our community is made up of diverse, creative individuals from all walks of life, personally and professionally. No matter where you are on your journey, you are celebrated and welcomed with open arms. We offer an inspiring and safe space to learn and create amongst like-minded people.

As the heart behind Amber Foster Smith Photography, I specialize in portrait and brand photography. I am inspired by the stories of all of my clients, and how I can bring them joy through creating images together. I love capturing iconic and classic legacy portraits for my clients that will be cherished for generations. I also am super passionate about helping small businesses tell their story and show their worth to their ideal clients through powerful brand imagery.

Most important of all to me is my family. I married my high school sweetheart and together we have two children. I enjoy trail running with my dogs, gardening, and spending as much time in the sunshine as possible. I have a weakness for baked goods and rescuing both puppies and “homeless” house plants that need to be loved. More than anything, I love spending time with my family as well as supporting and giving back to my community.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

If you were applying for a new job and the description read something like, “Ability to make your own hours. You are welcome to take as much time off and vacation time as you need. Your job responsibilities will allow you to do whatever you want, whenever you want. You will not have a reporting manager.” Sounds pretty amazing right?

I shared this thought with a group of middle schoolers who came by my studio for a tour where they were learning about how to run a small business. I told them all about how being a solo entrepreneur can be such an amazing thing. They all agreed they wanted in! Then when I reminded them that all that time off was not paid, and whenever you want to take a vacation, you are going to work twice as hard to prepare to be gone, and then work twice as hard playing catch up when you get back. They started second-guessing this idea of flexibility. When I let them know that not having a boss is great, but also not having someone to help guide you when you are lost can feel impossible. Being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want can be fabulous, but you have to have the drive, and the passion to succeed. Most creative entrepreneurs struggle even more because they are insanely talented in their art form, but learning how to make a business plan, market themselves, and how to balance a budget can feel like the weight of the world is on top of you.

Some days as a creative entrepreneur do feel impossible, but the big picture is so much more rewarding than it ever is limiting. I build my own schedule so I can be there for my family when they need me. I can volunteer at the school during the day and run the kids to practice in the evening. I can take days off in the middle of the week to spend with my husband who doesn’t work a traditional Monday through Friday 9-5 job. I leave work early and go home and take the dogs for a walk or even a nap if I need it. At the drop of a dime, I can meet a friend for lunch, or take an hour break to help a friend in crisis. Often times this may mean working late into the early morning hours, or rising wayyy before the sun comes up to make it happen – but I can make it happen. I can take a month off if I want, as long as I set systems in place that support it. As an artist, I get paid to do what I love day in and day out. I bring joy to the lives of others with my work and even allow them to better their lives because of that. There are hard days, and I mean really hard days, but the good days far outweigh them. Knowing you are making the world a better place makes it all worth it!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Supporting artists and creatives comes down to two things, respect, and put your money where your mouth is.

Respect. It seems so simple but yet so many outside of the industry just don’t quite grasp the challenges creatives face. If you work in a numbers-based business, and if the numbers are wrong, it’s not about you, the math just wasn’t right. It’s not personal. Yet as an artist when a client doesn’t like the work you created for them, it’s absolutely personal. You second guess everything you did and start imagining every single thing you should have done and maybe just maybe that would have made the difference. You wrack your brain for days trying to figure it out. Then in the end you find out the reason they don’t like it – well it has nothing to do with you. As creatives, our work is personal. It isn’t easy. We are constantly growing and evolving. We can’t just walk away from our work. It is so deeply intertwined in our lives that it can often consume us. The best way to support an artist is to show them respect for their work, respect for the process, and respect for the craft.

So many people are quick to pay $7 for a latte at a big-name cafe while rolling through the drive-thru, but the idea of paying $6.00 at the locally owned shop on main street where you have to park the car and walk in just isn’t worth it. Shopping local and supporting small own businesses makes a huge difference in your community. Several years ago for Christmas I vowed to only shop local. My family thought I was crazy because was it way more time, and way more effort on my part. But would I do it again? Absolutely! That meant every single gift that went under the tree was purchased within less than 20 minutes of my home and the investment went right back into my local community. When people purchase with me, it allows me to put my daughter in dance classes at the local dance company. That same dollar then in turns supports local schools and various charities that they support. This is one of the best lessons I’ve taught my children, and thus one of their favorite things to do is visit artisan markets with me on the weekends. They are more than happy to shell out $20 of their hard earned money for new earrings they could have picked up for $7 at a big box store. Or in the case of my daughter $15 for an artist’s print which she proudly asked them if they would sign and is going on display in her room. Put your money where your mouth is and shop local. You have the power to impact so many lives, financially, and emotionally with how you spend your dollars.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theStudio557.com – www.AmberFosterSmithPhotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thestudio557 – instagram.com/amberfostersmith
• Facebook: facebook.com/thestudio557 – facebook.com/amberfostersmithphotography
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/amberfostersmith

Image Credits
Amber Foster Smith Photography (Portraits) Studio 557 (BTS Images)