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

Hi Ashlee, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Choosing a name was extremely difficult for me! I just knew I wanted my company name to be unique and different. So, I said to myself “How do you want your clients to feel when they come to take photos?” I instantly said “ICONIC” I then I asked myself ” How do you want your clients to be treated?” I stumbled on this question because there’s so many ways a person can be treated but its rare for someone to be treated like “Royalty”. Royalty is what stuck out to me but I said the name can’t be “Iconic Royalty” and that’s when I decided on the name “Iconic Queens”.

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

For starters, I never thought I would be a photographer; this was never in my “plans”. I graduated from Valdosta State University with my bachelors degree in criminal justice. I wanted to eventually work for customs and border. Unfortunately those plans changed and I had to think of something else I wanted to do and fast. Ive always loved taking photos of my family using my iPhone and editing photos with any app I could find. A few months later I bought my first camera and I was ready to start shooting. Once I got my business running I immediately knew what I wanted to do which was studio/portrait photography. I was so dedicated and determined to be the best I could be. I would stay up nights watching YouTube videos or doing my own research. I even reached out to local photographers just for guidance. As people started to see my work and what I could offer that’s when my clientele grew tremendously! This industry gives you the opportunity to work with so many different people; which includes different races, cultures, personalities etc. I always try to be the best I can be for my clients so we can build a relationship and trust. Most of my clients have become close friend and more like family.
Im extremely proud of how far my business has come. I would have never thought I would be a business owner or even have a studio. Im mostly proud of myself for not giving up or allowing the opinions of others to make me quit.
The main thing I want my potential clients or followers to know is that Im extremely passionate when it comes to my work and the way people feel when they leave my studio. I always say its more than just photos its an experience!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Half of my clients follow me on my personal social media platforms. I believe when they are able to see the “real” me and not just the business side it sort of creates a trust. It makes them feel like they are connected to me. I also interact with my clients via social media. For example, commenting on their photos, engaging in conversation, etc. This creates a great relationship between my clients and I.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Let’s just say I did not know photography would cost so much!! I thought I would only need a camera and my two hands. When I first started I didn’t have a job I was a stay at home mom, my husband was the only one with a job. When I realized I needed much more I consulted with my husband. Im extremely thankful that my husband was so supportive. Whatever I needed for my business he supplied. When my husband couldn’t provide then my mother would step in. When I started making my own income I was able to purchase what I needed on my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iconicqueensphotography.com
• Instagram: Iconicqueensphotography
• Facebook: Iconic Queens Photography LLC
• Youtube: Iconic Queens Photography