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

Desiree, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I could do it all over again, I honestly wouldn’t change much! I know that may sound strange, but I believe in the power of starting small and building a solid foundation. I did so much research early on that helped be avoid issues that I could be writing about today for this question. I still thought this topic was worth mentioning things I’m happy I did…

I didn’t jump straight into buying the most expensive gear. Instead, I started with a decent, mirrorless camera, learned the ins and outs, and practiced like crazy. I watched endless YouTube videos and found free cheat sheets. I spent countless hours shooting with willing models, honing my skills, and building my portfolio. It was time-consuming, but totally worth it.

I also didn’t wait to set up my business. I got my LLC, website, insurance, and a business account very early on, which helped me establish a professional image and start booking clients. Word-of-mouth was huge for me, so I focused on delivering amazing results for every client, no matter how small the project.

One thing I would definitely do differently is invest in a flash photography workshop sooner. It would have saved me a lot of time and frustration. But overall, I’m happy with the path I took. It was a lot of hard work, but it was totally worth it.

Desiree, 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?

Photography has always felt like magic to me—it’s the closest thing we have to time travel, freezing little snippets of life to revisit whenever we want. That fascination started really early and really young, but it wasn’t until college when I took a Black and White Film Photography class that I started to really dive in. Working in the darkroom was a whole experience—finding a rare pocket of peace, just me, my favorite playlists, and my photos in the making. It became a way to disconnect from all the stresses that came with juggling school, multiple jobs, anxiety, and, well, life!

After about nine years of college, I graduated in 2021 with a Business & HR Management degree—definitely a “had to finish what I started” situation more than a passion. A year later, I moved from Metro Detroit to Denver, ready for a fresh start and eager to figure out what I really wanted to do. On a whim, I mentioned to my husband how I’d always loved photography. His response? “Then why not go for it?” And that was it—I finally took the leap.

I dove into research, bought a camera, and started offering sessions in Facebook groups. The energy I felt coming back from each session was unreal, the total opposite of how I felt at my corporate job. I spent the next 8 months balancing my full-time work with my new photography business—squeezing in shoots after work, on weekends, lunch breaks if I had to, and editing into the night. I was all in, learning every piece of the business, handling contracts, and getting comfortable with the whirlwind pace.

Fast forward to today: after finally taking the full-time leap, I’m doing what I love every day. I get to work with incredible people, and I genuinely feel like I’ve become friends with most of my clients. Getting here was anything but smooth—starting a business means managing everything yourself. From balancing finances and nailing down an editing style to handling the constant inner dialogue that is imposter syndrome, every challenge has been a growth opportunity.

These days, I’m all about capturing real, unfiltered moments for couples, elopements, and intimate weddings. I’m drawn to the fun, the edgy, and anyone who’s not afraid to ditch tradition for what feels right. I also love doing creative portraits, boudoir, and branding shoots, especially for badass female-owned businesses. My style is a mix of documentary and editorial with a creative twist, so if it’s a little outside the box, I’m in.

I’m most proud when clients tell me how comfortable they felt or how much fun they had during our session. That’s my goal: to create an environment where everyone can be themselves. I didn’t quit a corporate job to trade authenticity for a customer service voice. When you work with me, what you see is what you get—and I hope that lets my clients feel free to do the same.

If you have a passion, don’t hesitate. Go after it, even if it’s a leap. And if you’re looking for someone to capture you and your partner’s unique story, I’d love to make that happen.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Absolutely! One of the hardest things about being a creative—especially in an industry like photography—is helping non-creatives understand the depth of time, effort, and financial investment that goes into each session. And to be honest, I feel like this is something many creatives will relate to. A common phrase we see is, “Looking for someone who doesn’t charge an arm and a leg.” It might not seem like much to say, but it really reflects a broader misconception that our work isn’t seen as a “real” job or treated with the respect and value it deserves.

There’s so much that goes into building and maintaining a photography business. Our equipment alone costs thousands, and that’s just the beginning. We pay for insurance, software, storage, websites, and gallery hosting, not to mention payment processing fees and taxes—which can take around 30% of each session fee. There are also hours of communication, planning, location scouting, and prepping galleries. And that’s all before we even get into the editing phase, which can involve hours of detailed work per client. Beyond that, there’s also the emotional investment, like handling conversations with potential clients who inquire but never respond or clients who don’t appreciate what goes into crafting their vision.

Here are a few common scenarios that highlight the disconnect:

**1. “I found someone who can do it cheaper, but we’d prefer you if you can match it.”**
– It’s great when someone values your work, but asking a creative to match someone else’s lower price just to secure them is tough. My rates are thoughtfully set based on experience, quality, and the investment I need to make my business sustainable. Pinterest-worthy results come from photographers who invest in their craft—and it’s essential that clients understand that a budget price might not provide the same level of artistry or experience.

**2. Wanting a mountain engagement session.**
– Let’s say the quote is $400 for a 60-minute session. That doesn’t mean the photographer is making $400 per hour. Between taxes, fees, portal setup, contracts, messaging, planning, travel time, and culling hundreds of images to find the best shots, the actual amount left for the photographer might not cover all that goes into the session. There’s so much more to a simple session than just showing up and clicking the shutter.

**3. Canceling or rescheduling.**
– When a client books a date, they’re securing a spot that the photographer now holds exclusively for them, often turning down other clients. That deposit, or retainer, is non-refundable because it protects the photographer’s time and income from last-minute cancellations. If an engagement client cancels after a photographer has turned down, say, a $2,800 wedding for the same date, they’re left with only that deposit after taxes and fees. It can feel mentally draining to have these difficult, sometimes uncomfortable conversations around refunds or cancellations—especially when we’re just trying to earn a living.

This is all part of the journey as a creative, and it’s one that sometimes feels misunderstood by those outside the field. But at the end of the day, I think it’s worth talking about these challenges to help bridge that gap. We aren’t just doing a “fun hobby” but rather a real, hard-earned business that requires serious time, energy, and financial management.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has, without a doubt, been word-of-mouth and simply showing up as my true self. One of the things I couldn’t stand about corporate life was having to follow someone else’s rules, putting on a “customer service voice,” and feeling like I couldn’t be real. When I finally took the leap and left my corporate job—after years of burnout and hard work—I promised myself that I wouldn’t go through all of that just to end up being inauthentic in my own business.

Now, I share my real life on social media, actively engage with clients, and genuinely connect with people in my DMs. For so many of my clients, our conversations feel like we’ve known each other forever, and many of them have even become friends. Keeping it real has been key for me; it not only attracts ideal clients who get my vibe and value what I do, but it also builds a community that feels natural and supportive. I’ve found that word-of-mouth from these clients has been the best possible referral. I’ll take quality followers who truly connect with my work over a huge, impersonal following any day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.electrichoneyphotography.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/electrichoneyphotography
• Other: https://instagram.com/electrichoneyportraits