We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christine Lowell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christine below.

Christine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I could begin this business again with my current knowledge, I would make significant changes. Firstly, I would start by identifying the top portrait photographer in the area and aim to apprentice or learn from them to gain insights into the industry. Secondly, instead of relying on trial and error, I would enroll in business training courses to tackle challenging topics efficiently. Lastly, I regret not seeking guidance from a business coach earlier to grasp the concepts of profitability and expansion. This approach would have led to quicker profitability and prevented individuals without business expertise from undervaluing my work.

Christine, 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?

As a Visual Storyteller and Content Creator for social media, I focus on portraits and specialize in crafting personal and corporate branding images. Through my work, clients distinguish themselves from competitors in a compelling and positive manner, positioning them for success with high-quality images suitable for social media, websites, marketing materials, and beyond. With over a decade of professional photography experience, I bring expertise to every project.

My passion for photography ignited during junior high, where I would style my friends’ hair and organized photoshoots in my backyard using my Kodak Disc. This passion flourished in high school as I delved into film, darkroom techniques, and secured the role of the school newspaper photographer. When my children were born, they became the focal point of my photography. Eager to enhance my photography skills, I enrolled in numerous classes to capture timeless moments of my kids. This journey naturally led to the organic growth of my photography business.

My sessions are carefully planned, paying close attention to every detail. This includes selecting colors that complement the brand and choosing locations that narrate the client’s unique story. Each client receives a Digital Style Guide to assist in preparing for the session. Sessions are unhurried, and edits are not automated; instead, I meticulously select the best images from the session. My priority is delivering high-quality images rather than a large quantity of images. I aim for my clients’ images to mirror the excellence of their brand, enabling them to attract their ideal customers and boost their business.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I had come to a critical point in my business where it was a make-or-break situation. In the photography industry, success can be unpredictable, and I had been facing challenges for quite some time.

It could have been tempting to play the victim, make excuses, or point fingers at others for my lack of progress. However, no one ever succeeds by adopting a victim mentality or playing the blame game.

So, I decided to push myself to enhance my photography skills with the aim of becoming a sought-after professional in my community. I introduced a unique program that stood out from the rest, taking a significant risk in the process. After beta-testing the program for a couple of years and making necessary adjustments, I involved influential individuals from my network in the program. The outcome has far exceeded my expectations, contributing significantly to one third of my business growth!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Having more followers typically leads to a broader potential reach, which is beneficial for business. Nonetheless, I prioritize quality over quantity. I have never paid for followers as it merely gives the illusion of success. I also appreciate quality content over aggressive or repetitive methods. I prefer to follow individuals who provide valuable tips and knowledge for free. As a result, I strive to post content with that principle in mind, following the guideline of 80% education and entertainment and 20% promotional material.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.christinelowellphotography.com
• Instagram: CLowellPhotoPros
• Facebook: Christine Lowell Photography

Image Credits
Images Credit: Gail Roser Photography in collaboration with Christine Lowell Photography