We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deanna Phillips a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deanna, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
All my projects are meaningful as they each tell a different story. I work with my clients to bring together their wants and needs and my style of work. My goal for each session is to be able to create an experience rather than just taking their picture.
Deanna, 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 have always been a creative person who needs to work with their hands. I was originally a dancer for 20 plus years of my life which came to a halt due to wear and tear. I then pursued Massage Therapy to continue to help those whom wanted to accomplish things they couldn’t due to body ailments and I did this for 9 years. Once again my body got tired due to wear and tear and having 2 beautiful children. My kids became inspiration for my new hobby and now career, Photography. I provide photography services of any kind and mainly portraits and have been doing so for 5 years now. I didn’t start full time until about 1 year ago when I really started taking off in my career. I think what sets me apart is that I want to give clients an experience rather than just take their picture, Yes, I want to give them their nice smiling portraits but there is so much more to people than just smiling and looking at the camera. I want to capture emotion, create confidence, and bring alive moments that can be missed.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There are many times over the 5 years I have had to take a step back from my business. My kids and my mental health were the biggest points. As any mom knows whom is a small business owner, kids take up a big chunk of our lives. School, sicknesses, just general needing and wanting of their mother can really force your business to take a hit. For me personally, it was all about timing and when I could get my kids into the right schools for them and not just for me. I had a couple times when my business dropped due to mental health on my part as well. We all know mental health is a big contributor to motivation and when mine hit, it hit HARD. I went through 3 to 4 months of not working on my business at all over a couple years. Once I was able to pull myself out and get out of my own way, things have started looking up.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I LOVE seeing what I have created for a client and hearing how happy they are with their portraits. That is what is the most rewarding.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Headshot done by Ashleigh Steffans Photography