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

Hi Aubry, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Oh, how much time do you have? Lol. Because the truth is, success in this industry is about so much more than just taking pretty pictures.

Yes, knowing how to use your camera is a must, especially since most of us shoot in manual mode and rely on our understanding of light, settings, and composition to get it right in camera. Despite what some clients lovingly believe, it’s not the camera doing all the work (if only it were that easy, right?!).

But the truth is, technical skill is just the beginning. What separates a good photographer from a successful one is the ability to connect with people. You need to be able to read the room, know when someone feels uncomfortable, and gently guide them into a place of ease. That’s where the magic happens…not just in the photo, but in the experience.

Clients aren’t just hiring you for photos, they’re hiring you for how you make them feel. Did you notice their insecurities? Did you pose them in ways that flattered their body type? Did you choose lighting and angles that brought out their best features? Did you help them choose outfits that worked with their skin tone and the location? These things matter more than most people realize.

Because here’s the truth: You can be the most technically advanced photographer in town, but if your clients leave feeling “meh,” you’re going to have a hard time building a loyal client base. On the flip side, if your photos are just slightly above average but your clients leave feeling like a million bucks, you’re winning.

Success also takes honesty, especially with yourself. Be honest about the quality of your work and where it stands in the local market. You don’t want to undervalue yourself, but you also want to stay in the lane that matches your skill level. Pricing should be competitive and fair…for both you and your client.

And finally, stop trying to win over every client with a heartbeat. You’re not for everyone and that’s a good thing. Find your people. The ones who get you, love your style, trust your expertise, and see the value in what you do. Those are your people. Love them well.

At the end of the day, being a successful photographer means being equal parts artist, technician, therapist, hype girl, and business owner. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth

Aubry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been captivated by God’s gift of natural light. There’s just something about the way the sun dips below the horizon in the evening…when it peeks through the grass and the sky starts to change colors. That always put me in a happy place. That love for light turned into a love for photography in high school, when I joined the yearbook staff and started discovering the joy of capturing real people in real moments. I loved the creativity, but even more than that, I loved making people feel good about being seen.

After my first son was born, my mother-in-law gifted me my first “real” camera, and that’s when it all clicked—literally and figuratively. I walked around photographing anything and everything. While I went to college to become a teacher and spent years in education, photography was always my side passion. Eventually, it became clear I couldn’t juggle both at the level I wanted to. My husband sat me down and said, “You need to choose! You can’t do both full-time.” And so, I made the leap.

We later moved to Austin, Texas, and I had to rebuild my business from the ground up in a brand new area. That’s when I started working more with high school seniors and I absolutely fell in love with it. Maybe it’s because I have four boys and this gave me a chance to dive into something a little more “girly,” but I honestly think it goes deeper than that. As a teenager, I was super social and had lots of friends, but I didn’t always feel confident in how I looked. So getting to pour into these girls and show them how the world sees them…confident, radiant, and full of potential, fills me up in a way that’s hard to explain. I wish I had had someone that could’ve done that for me when I was in high school.

I’m a completely self-taught photographer, and I’ve learned a lot just by doing, failing, and doing again. But through all of that, my top priority has never changed: I want my clients to feel like a million bucks. And not only do I want them to feel beautiful in their images, but I really want them to look at it and say… OMG, that is so me! It’s so important that I stay true to who they are in their photos. I believe that the experience matters just as much as the end result. That means learning their story, understanding what makes them light up, and making their session feel uniquely them. Most people don’t realize it just by looking at my images, but every single one has layers of meaning. From sentimental locations and heirloom jewelry to personal details that matter to them.

Today, I offer natural light photography sessions with a specialty in high school seniors, families, and lifestyle portraits. I also mentor up-and-coming photographers who want to build confidence, refine their skills, and create more meaningful work. It allows me to still pursue my passion for teaching. Helping others succeed brings me so much joy. I’ve been in business for over 15 years now, and the thing I’m most proud of isn’t the art itself (though I’m proud of that too!)— it’s the way I make my clients feel. Watching someone light up with pride when they see their photos, knowing they felt beautiful, seen, and celebrated in the process…that’s the heart of everything I do

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I’ve been so incredibly blessed in my business, and I don’t take it for granted for a second. These days, I book out 1–2 years in advance, and I owe that entirely to my amazing clients. The most effective “strategy” I’ve had isn’t really a strategy at all—it’s creating an experience so positive and personal that people want to talk about it.

Almost all of my bookings come from referrals. These are past clients sharing their photos, their experience, and their excitement with friends and family. I always post sneak peeks along with a little summary of our time together, and I’ve found that parents especially love sharing those posts. Nearly every time I share a session, I get new inquiries because the connection and care come through and that’s what people are drawn to.

At the end of the day, connecting with others and making them feel seen and celebrated is not just good for business, it’s good for my soul…in a huge way! . I truly believe that’s been the key to my growth and longevity in this industry.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After our family moved to Austin, there was a period where things got financially tough. My husband’s business had taken a hit due to changes in the market, and while my photography business was going well, I had still been treating it more like a passionate side hustle than a serious source of income. My pricing was low, I was working nights and weekends constantly, and honestly, I was burning myself out doing too much for too little.

After a long, honest talk with my husband, we came to a turning point: I had to start treating my business like a business. That meant no more hobbyist mindset. I dove back into learning mode. Researching the market, evaluating my skill set, studying what others with similar experience were charging and offering, and figuring out how to stand out without sacrificing my sanity. I learned about proper pricing, client experience, boundaries, and sustainable systems. But the biggest shift wasn’t just logistical, it was emotional.

I had to let go of the guilt that so many creatives carry: the idea that just because we love what we do, we shouldn’t charge well for it. That pivot changed everything. I realized this wasn’t just a passion, it was also the way I helped provide for our family of six. And with four boys (and some future college tuition on the horizon, lol), that’s no small thing. And I needed to quit working weekends. I was missing out on all my kids, sporting events and time with my husband when he was off from work. Dad just wasn’t working for me as a wife and a mother. So I made the change, cold turkey… Just decided “no more”. And you know what, it completely worked out and my clients respected that.

Once I started valuing myself and my work, I noticed something powerful: others started valuing it more too. Just like confidence draws people in, knowing your worth as a business owner gives your clients permission to trust and respect your boundaries, your time, and your pricing.

That’s why one of the most powerful pieces of advice I can give is this:
“Know your worth. Look at your family. Remind yourself why you’re doing this. Not every client is for you and that’s OK”
There are plenty of other businesses charging what they’re worth, and we rarely blink an eye. So why should photographers or creatives feel guilty for doing the same?

Pivoting doesn’t mean giving up,it means growing up in your business. And for me, that shift changed everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aubryramseyphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubryramseyphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AubryRamseyPhoto

Image Credits

All images were taken by myself—Aubry Ramsey Photography.