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

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was launching my business. About 10 years ago now in 2015 I started my masters program. I had just gone through a massive life transition, and was uncertain on where life was going to take me after having moved across a state, experienced heart break, and moved to a new state, then back to my old state. All I knew is that I was about to start a new job, and start grad school. But what I didn’t know was that my Hobby of photography was about to support me through school, and through the rest of my future.

The job I had taken was in a social work setting, working with really tough situations in mental health hospital settings. After a year and some months I started to burn out, knowing I wanted to still be a therapist but knowing it was getting harder to do the social work stuff. But getting home to my camera and exploring on weekends kept me going. Then one day a good friend said. “Ya know, you should get paid for this” So it got me thinking. What would happen if I left this really intense job to focus on school and launch an actual business.

And so thats what I did. Going into my 3rd year of grad school, I launched Andrea Michelle Photography. Booked some of my first weddings, first boudoir, first branding sessions and it kept me sane, and moving forward better than ever.

The risk of starting a business is wild, scary and expensive. But I will never regret it.

Andrea, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a photographer from Washington State. Specifically from a medium ish town near the border of Canada. I started my business as I was going into grad school, and took the biggest leap of faith in doing so to keep me going.

Now I am a fully licensed mental health counseling, therapist mentor and still going strong in my photography.
Some of my most proud moments are supporting my cleints turned friends, and seeing them grow. Being able to grow along side them is an incredible experience. For example my dear friend worked for a television station. And I would do her headshots, and fun instagram content over and over. Throughout this she has worked very hard to get a main host position, and here she is, host of a morning show on tv and loving every moment. Being able to be with her throughout all her announcements has been incredible.

But also, my business has taken me to new places, on adventures in Iceland, Hawaii, North Carolina and many other places.

My primary focus in photography right now is Weddings and branding. I love working with couples to capture their special days, as well as with individuals launching a business or wanting to take their business to the next level with amazing photography.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

My cleints usually end up turning into my friends, why? probably because we have so much fun. Creating a business for me that was friendly, had strong rapport and created a comfortable place for everyone was incredibly important to me. I have broadcast channels on instagram to keep repeat clients in the loop on travel dates to certain areas, offer referral coupons, and so much more. Being able to work with clients over time is so powerful.

I also love when I book a wedding and they return to me for anniversaries, children, growing families, and other exciting activities. I often offer referral bonus and discounts for repeat clients.

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?

Sometimes I often feel as though non creatives don’t really get what it’s like to rely you business on your personality and art. Creatives like myself tend to be incredibly hard on themselves and struggle with the confidence. When I am “selling” I am selling my personality, and my art. it’s incredibly vulnerable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andreamichelle-photo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreamichellephoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreamichellephoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/andreamichellephoto
• Other: https://www.threads.net/andreamichellephoto

Image Credits

Photo Credit Myself @andreamichellephoto