We were lucky to catch up with Barbara Macferrin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Barbara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I have been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it was not without its challenges. It was a gradual ramp-up, requiring persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to wear many hats. Running a successful photography business means being more than just a photographer—you have to be a marketer, an administrator, a bookkeeper, an advertiser, a networker, a social media manager, and so much more.

In the beginning, I had to learn how to position myself in the market and build a brand that resonated with my ideal clients. Some of the major steps in my journey included:

Finding My Niche & Artistic Voice – Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, I focused on fine art portraiture inspired by Old Master paintings. This unique artistic style helped differentiate me in a saturated market.

Investing in Education & Craft – While I was already skilled in photography, I continuously refined my craft by studying classical art, lighting techniques, and posing. I also educated myself on the business side, which was just as important as the art itself.

Building a Strong Portfolio & Client Base – Early on, I focused on creating work that truly represented my vision, even if that meant doing personal projects to showcase my capabilities. Word-of-mouth referrals became a powerful tool as clients began sharing their experiences and images.

Pricing & Positioning for Sustainability – Learning to charge what my work was worth was a huge milestone. Many creatives undervalue themselves at first, but once I aligned my pricing with the quality and experience I offered, I was able to attract the right clientele.

Marketing & Visibility – I leveraged social media, and partnerships to get my work in front of people. Networking with other professionals, such as makeup artists and stylists, also played a significant role in building my business.

Developing Efficient Systems – As my business grew, I implemented workflows for client communication, booking, and editing to streamline operations. This allowed me to focus more on the creative aspects rather than getting lost in administrative tasks.

Could I have sped up the process? Possibly, but it would have required an intense level of hustle—working day and night, constantly marketing, and putting myself out there in a way that doesn’t come naturally to me as an introvert. Ultimately, I believe my journey unfolded the way it was meant to, allowing me to grow both as an artist and a business owner in a sustainable way.

Barbara, 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 an award-winning fine art master portrait photographer and educator based in Colorado, specializing in timeless, painterly portraits inspired by the Old Masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. My work is deeply influenced by classical art, evoking a sense of emotion, depth, and storytelling that transcends trends.

How I Got Into Photography
My journey into photography began when my father, who was an incredible painter and a lover of classical fine art, gifted me a camera on my 17th birthday. From that moment, I fell in love with photography and never looked back. While I never learned how to paint, my creative process happens through the lens and in Photoshop, where I bring my vision to life in a way that mirrors the depth, lighting, and emotion of the paintings my father loved. Photography became my way of continuing that artistic legacy, blending my appreciation for classical fine art with modern storytelling.

What I Offer & The Problems I Solve
I specialize in fine art portraiture, creating bespoke, museum-quality portraits that feel like timeless works of art. My clients come to me because they want more than just a traditional photo; they want an heirloom piece that tells a story, captures their essence, and feels like it belongs in a gallery.

In addition to working with clients, I also teach fine art portrait photography workshops both in person and online. I love helping other photographers refine their craft, develop their unique artistic voice, and master the techniques needed to create painterly portraits. My workshops focus on everything from lighting and posing to editing and storytelling, empowering photographers to elevate their work and bring a timeless, artistic quality to their images.

Each portrait session and workshop is a carefully curated experience, ensuring that both my clients and students receive the highest level of artistry, education, and attention to detail.
What Sets Me Apart
– Timeless Fine Art Style – My portraits are deeply inspired by Old Master paintings, setting them apart from conventional photography.
– Attention to Detail & Personalization – I approach each session with the precision of a painter, considering every detail from lighting to wardrobe to storytelling elements.
– Hand-Edited Masterpieces – I do not use AI, actions, or presets. Every image is crafted with a painterly quality that reflects my artistic vision.
– Emotional Depth & Storytelling – My goal is to create portraits that move people—images that capture not just a likeness, but the soul of the subject.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I am incredibly proud of the impact my work has had on my clients. Seeing their emotional reactions when they view their portraits for the first time is the greatest reward. Many have told me that my images helped them see themselves in a new light, appreciate their own beauty, or celebrate a milestone in their lives. Creating artwork that has such a personal and lasting impact is what drives me.

What I Want Potential Clients & Followers to Know
I want people to know that my work is about more than just taking pictures—it’s about creating something meaningful and timeless. If you’re looking for a unique, heirloom-quality portrait that feels like a painting, I invite you to experience my fine art portraiture. My goal is to craft something that you and your loved ones will treasure for generations to come.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A Major Pivot in My Career & Life

Pivoting is a natural part of any creative journey, and I’ve had to make several throughout my career. While I primarily built my name in fine art portraiture, I’ve also done other types of photography, such as headshots and commercial work, which can be quite lucrative. However, the most significant pivot I’ve made recently was stepping away from running my photography business full-time.

While I loved the creative aspects of my work, the demands of running a business—marketing, bookkeeping, client management, and the constant pressure to book new clients—began taking a toll on my health. The stress of wearing all the hats that come with entrepreneurship became overwhelming, and I realized that I needed a change.

I made the decision to take on a full-time job, which provided me with more stability, less financial pressure, and a better work-life balance. Although I still do photography, I no longer rely on it as my sole income. This shift has allowed me to be more selective with the projects I take on, focusing on work that aligns with my artistic vision and provides the best return for the time invested.

Ultimately, this pivot has made me happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. It reminded me that success isn’t just about financial gain—it’s also about finding a sustainable path that nurtures both creativity and well-being.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A Story of Resilience: Redefining Success

For a long time, I believed that running my photography business full-time was the ultimate marker of success. When I realized that the stress of managing everything—from marketing and finances to client work—was taking a serious toll on my health, I struggled with the idea of stepping away. In my mind, getting a full-time job felt like failure, like I was giving up on something I had worked so hard to build.

But resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges—it’s also about knowing when to pivot, adapt, and prioritize your well-being. Making the decision to transition to a full-time job while continuing photography on my own terms was one of the hardest, yet most necessary, choices I’ve made. It required me to reframe my definition of success, not as an all-or-nothing pursuit but as a balance between passion and sustainability.

Looking back, I see that this shift wasn’t failure—it was growth. It allowed me to reclaim my creativity, reduce stress, and choose photography projects that truly fulfill me. My resilience wasn’t in stubbornly holding on to an unsustainable model, but in having the courage to change course and build a career that supports both my art and my well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barbaramacferrinphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaramacferrin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpcardinali
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaramacferrin/

Image Credits

Barbara MacFerrin – photographer
Theresa Elmore – hair and makeup