We recently connected with Courtney Melching and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

This is my third year running my business. Owning a business and being your own boss has its pros and cons, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am much happier as a business owner. This is because I have the ability to create and pick everything on my own. My schedule, advertising, overall brand aesthetic, etc. It can be challenging to stay motivated and moving with no one behind the scenes to report to, but that is also what is so great about it. The more work you put in the more you get out.

I very recently contemplated life with a regular job. life isn’t always easy. I am currently 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. Starting a family In October 2023. The reason I contemplated another job or career path is because I want to give my little one a great life, and this field of work (photography & videography) can be unpredictable with bookings, schedules, and the demand to be tied to my computer at home. I want to make sure I am financially stable, while still having the time to be the mother I aspire to be. Would a regular job create a more steady income and schedule for my family? These are always hard things to imagine when I don’t know anything other than being my own boss for a while now. As I am getting closer to my due date I truly can’t imagine giving up or cutting back from this business. It isn’t only a job I enjoy, but one that makes me feel like I have creative freedom with everything. My solution will be booking consistent work, and continuing to build repeating clients so that income and schedules can be for more stable for my family. It might be hard at first, adjusting with a newborn, but I know that I can do It with hard work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am 24, and I have always been inspired by videos and photos because there is nothing more special than capturing beauty of a moment. I got into this by filming a friends wedding for her in 2018 for free. I always thought it could be fun but I never considered a full time career. Once I realized how much I loved it I decided to do everything I could to make that dream a reality. In 2020 I filmed my first 5 paid weddings. This lead me to 22 bookings for 2021, 30 in 2022, and another 27 this year in 2023. Not to mention plenty of other sessions and projects in-between. During this time I was going to school at Western Michigan University. I changed my major from Public relations to Film, video, and media once I decided this was the path for me. I graduated in the Summer of 2021. While starting my business I also waitressed, babysat or did what I could for extra cash. Now I have my own schedule, website, and thriving business. I film and photograph all sorts of things. My vision is to build lasting connections and trust with my clients that will allow me to capture and preserve their most genuine, joyful, and beautiful moments so that those feelings can be revisited time and time again. My photography style is genuine and non traditional — I love to take photos that feel perfect, even if they don’t look technically perfect. I want my clients to be able to look at their photos and videos and feel the laughter, romance, and joy they felt during their special moments so that they can relive them time and time again. My focus is always on connection, authenticity, and honest emotion. The main thing I want my potential clients to know is that if they are playful, sentimental, warm, and love making personal connections than I am their girl.

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

My social media presence is always growing and changing. These days it isn’t always easy to get a following that not only engages with your content, but is also genuinely interested in you and your business. The thing with social media is it is what you make of it. I personally use my business pages to be authentic. I post when I have time, when I feel inspired, when I am feeling down and need support, etc. It is important to be transparent and authentic with your audience. I want them to know we are on this journey of life together. Another important thing is don’t let other people dull your sparkle. Posting on social media can be tough because there are always critics, but don’t let anyone take the fun out of it for you. Post when you want, what you want, and how you want. This will attract the audience that resonates with you and your craft.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When it comes to clients I always say my clients are my friends. While its important to keep client relationships separate sometimes I always tell people if I had a party with every client of mine, it would be the best time and I know everyone would get along. That is what happens when you build one big happy family. Being open and transparent with every aspect of life can go a long way with clients. My sessions are sometimes more of a catch up session than a photo session. I love to check in and see clients time and time again and we get to love and support each other in life. The connections I build with clients is what makes referrals and finding new clients so easy. They think of me and I think of them. Having a client base that you’re so close with is really a tiny community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.courtneyleefilms.com
• Instagram: @courtneyleefilms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneymelchingvideography/
• Other: tik tok: @courtneyleefilms

Image Credits
Image with the dogs – Lyndsey Downs (@alwaysxophotography)