We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Shannon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
The summer before my senior year of high school I was asked to take graduation photos for one of my best friends. The world was just opening up after the Covid-19 pandemic, and I had been passing the time during lockdown doing simple photoshoots with my sister. I was so excited that my “work” had been looked on with favor, that I took my cell phone and tripod and happily agreed. That was the shoot that sparked it all. Shortly after, I bought a real camera, and was asked to take another friend’s grad photos, then another’s. I practiced shooting portraits of my siblings, and took a graphic design class that helped me learn how to take and edit photos. It wasn’t until college, however, that I decided to take the next step in forming a small business. During my freshman year I put together a portfolio while applying for a campus job, and decided that I would like to turn it into my official website. I created a name and email for my business, and the rest was history! That summer I drove around town hanging flyers to promote my services, and was eventually hired to take family portraits for the first time. I’m so excited to keep learning and growing in my craft, and look forward to what the future holds for Amy Shannon Photos.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with anything artistic. I took an interest in photography and digital media when I was in high school, and really enjoyed taking photos and making videos with my siblings and friends. Whether it was taking photos with my cell phone on a family vacation, or of flowers in the back yard, I loved being able to express myself through the lens of a camera. When I was a senior in high school, I finally bought a real digital camera, and started taking graduation photos for my friends, and eventually decided to start a small business. While it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, an important lesson I have learned along the way has been to keep doing what you love. Starting a business should be about practicing the thing you love most, and then bringing it to other people. Even when business is slow, it’s important to keep producing work that you enjoy, to keep you passion and creativity alive!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is when I produce work for my clients that they love! It’s a great feeling when all of your practice, time, and learning comes together to get that one perfect shot that makes the client say “wow!” I feel that photographs are meant to be seen by and shared with others, so it feels great when I share my photos and they appeal to those around me.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy I have found while growing my clientele is simply putting yourself out there. I share my work on social media, hang flyers around town, and talk with my friends and co-workers about my photography business. It’s important that people see and hear what you have to offer, and I have found that each of those simple strategies has helped drum up interest. It’s intimidating to put your business out there, especially in a competitive market. However, I’ve found it’s a pretty crucial step.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amyshannonsportfolio.wixsite.com/my-site-4
- Instagram: @amyshannonphotos
Image Credits
Kristy, Rebecca, Sincere, Nick, Kate, Gracie, John