We were lucky to catch up with Angela Krauss-Coryell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

To be honest I really never thought I would become a business owner. I always thought I would work for a company doing photography or even having a “regular 9-5” and doing photography on the side. I think the moment hit me that I wanted to start my own photography business was back in early 2019. I was working for a company that provided photography sessions to guests at high end hotels. I’d photograph families, couples, etc. around the hotel property, edit their pictures the same day; within an hour, then create a whole presentation for the guest hoping they’ll purchase some of the images. I was bending over backwards for them, putting all my time and energy into this company. I realized after being there for 1.5 years I don’t want to work for someone else’s dream. I always had the dreams of traveling and shooting, photographing fun and bold sessions myself. So I quit and took the leap to follow my own dreams. Looking back, if I were still in that position, I probably would have been miserable and totally burnt out and lost my passion for photography. Don’t get me wrong, I still sometimes have the burnt out moments in my own business but at least I can control my schedule and time committed to my business. I absolutely love the freedom I have with setting my own hours, taking or not taking clients, being able to be creative and out of the box. It really makes me feel like there are no boundaries!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am wedding/elopement and portrait photographer based in Orlando, FL. I fell in love with photography in high school and pursued it through college and onto a career. I love being bold and trying new things with my clients to give them something untraditional. I have no issue being a silly and a little loud with my clients to bring out their energy and natural reactions. Plus if there’s a place a client wants to tie the knot, book me a flight & I’m there!

I am most proud of the growth I’ve accomplished in just a couple of years. My calendar gets fuller every year, I am constantly meeting new clients and I’ve seen my work progress significantly because I try to get creative and push the norm with every session!

Ultimately, I allow my work to speak for itself.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Kindness and quality service. My clients pick me, they hire me because they trust me and love my work. That alone makes me want to serve my clients to the best of my ability. Trying to be on that Chick-Fil-A level of service, ya know what I’m saying! I want to provide them with the most knowledge and tips I can when it comes to photographing their big day or what they should wear in front of the camera, etc. If you give your clients the best experience you can, regardless if you’re just starting out or been in the industry for 10+ years your clientele will grow because you served them!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

WORD OF MOUTH!!! Instagram, TikTok and all those social media platforms are great but people really tend to trust what they hear about their personal experience with you and your business. When clients inquire with me through my website I ask how they heard about me and 90% of the time it’s through a past client. The way a past clients speaks about your business to a new potential client is everything! Client testimonies and reviews are also a great way to back up how you treat your clients and run your business. It truly makes my heart happy when a client recommends me to someone, nothing feels sweeter or more rewarding!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelajunephotography.com/
• Instagram: @AngelaJunePhotography https://www.instagram.com/angelajunephotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJunePhoto/

Image Credits
All photos taken by Angela June Photography