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

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. 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?

Starting any kind of business endeavor involves some risk. Starting a business at a time when you are knee deep in the thick of raising two tiny humans is also pretty risky. What if all this time spent up at night and during nap times and in the wee hours of the morning ends up being a waste? What if the money I’ve invested ends up being lost? What if no one even likes what I’m doing? What if I should be spending more time with my kids instead of working on this dumb dream of mine?

I decided to start my photography business when I had two children under two years old. I studied photography in college while earning an art history degree, learning the craft back in the days of film and dark rooms. I had aspirations to work as a photographer for a magazine – preferably a travel magazine. That was the dream!

Of course, it wasn’t meant to be at that convenient era of my life when I had no dependents, responsibilities or obligations beyond caring for my own free-spirited young self and my cat. I came close though! I was interviewed by Austin Monthly for a staff photographer position and, being the cool, calm and collected twenty-year-old I mentioned, I totally blew the interview by claiming to not have any knowledge of digital processing nor the desire to learn. Truly sticking to my moral high ground of never disrespecting the craft with any mention of digital! Ahhh… to be young and so full of artistic conviction. This is a life lesson for all of you youngsters out there – having a purest mentality about your craft is great and all, but maybe not at the beginning when you are just trying to get your start. Anyhow… I wasn’t offered that coveted position (I guess they didn’t want to mess with my complicated film developing and slow turn around. Go figure.) and I eventually moved on past that dream and dove into other interests and professional pursuits.

I always maintained a love for photography, continuing as a hobby, and finally after my second child I realized I was getting old and I wanted to at least attempt to turn my passion into a profession. The risk I took basically involved throwing myself out there when I had no dedicated free time, no office space, zero funding, no clientele, and no experience running a business – but I had the mindset of it’s now or never. I continued educating myself, honing my craft, and in the meantime figured out ways to provide a photographic experience that was unique and not cookie cutter. Something that reminds me of a feature from a magazine, with a story to tell and a style emulating that of the film photography.

The risk has slowly but surely paid off. I’m still learning and still working on ways to improve and I feel rewarded each time I get to capture a family or individual and their story.

And who knows? Maybe someday soon I’ll be asked to photograph something for Austin Monthly again. Hey guys, I shoot digital now!

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?

My name is Andrea and I’m the owner of Andrea Seider Photography serving clients in the greater Houston area. I am based in The Woodlands but love traveling to all kinds of different places.

I photograph individuals, couples and families in all kinds of settings. My favorite locations include hidden outdoors spots or a family’s home. I like to tell a story each time I have a session, so my photographs range from the typical posed arrangements to up close details shots and of course, lots of movement. My goal is to capture the feeling in that moment, something beyond what just our eyes see. What did it sound like? What did it smell like? How did our bodies feel? Certain photographs can cause you to recall all of these sensorial memories. That’s my goal.

I’ve streamlined my process now to where it makes it super simple for the clients and an enjoyable experience having a session each year. I make sure that all details are taken care of before our shoot so the day of can be fun and carefree.

When I first started photographing professionally, I would look back and say I was proudest of this or that photograph or proudest of a recent accolade. Now, though, my proudest moments come directly from the families or individuals I photograph. I love seeing where they’ve placed their photographs in their homes or having them come back to me year after year and seeing their kids grow and their families change. Building those long lasting relationships has been the best part for me.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I don’t do much marketing at all. Nearly all of my client business comes from word of mouth and referrals. To be honest, I think this is the best way for me. I like to have some kind of connection to the people I photograph since it really is kind of an intimate process. And I get plenty of business this way.

My dad is an entrepreneur in Austin and has owned and operated his own custom home building business for thirty years. He was the same way – he got most of his business from word of mouth and this always impressed me. Providing great customer service and being able to serve your clients is how you achieve this. Facebook likes and instagram clicks is not necessarily going to give you this kind of return.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I don’t like to label people as creatives or non-creatives – I truly think everyone is creative in their own way and has the ability to create. It’s an essential quality of being human. Having said that, I think people who aren’t attuned to their creative side or who do not use it in their profession struggle to understand that it never shuts off! It makes it super difficult sometimes because while I’m trying to accomplish mundane tasks or chores my mind keeps swirling with all of these creative visions and ideas and I just want to get them out. And yet, here I am, stuck on the phone with blue cross blue shield arguing over a medical bill or trying to fix the squeaky shower door or cleaning up my dog’s poop or whatever new life thing that pops up. Did I mention I also have three kids? So, yea, sometimes it feels like ADHD but I prefer to call it my diva inspiration. Sometimes she is super loud and demanding and I just have to let the laundry pile up so I can get her out of my head. The laundry can wait.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.andreaseiderphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/andreaseiderphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreaseiderphotography