We recently connected with Emily Berger and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The start-up of my business was a huge risk and change. I had originally attended Bethel University and graduated with a degree in the sciences. The plan after earning my bachelors degree was to attend a Physician Assistant program. God had other plans. After only a few months of learning photography, my business started to flourish. I started my official business in the spring of 2021, and already by the fall of 2021, I took another risk and decided to return to school for graphic design. This was a path I had not expected but ultimately loved. Initially, I went to the college to ask an instructor I had during PSEO in high school for help in my photography logo design. After he saw my sketches, he encouraged me to join the program. I thought it would be helpful to take some classes in order to grow my business and the services I provide. After one semester and having won a couple of American Advertising Awards, I decided to stay for the entire program. Graphic design is a passion I hadn’t realized until this! Since that first semester, I’ve earned eight American Advertising Awards and the 2023 Alexandria College Best of Publication award. I just graduated in May of 2023 and am excited to see what happens next! Stepping back from my original plans of pursuing medicine, something I had worked hard for and was doing well in, and taking a risk to fulfill my passions was definitely worth it.

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’ve always wanted to learn photography, and I bought my first camera when I was fifteen. It stayed in the drawer. It wasn’t until I graduated in the sciences from Bethel University and moved back to my hometown of Alexandria, MN, that I began exploring my interests and figuring out what I love apart from school. Foot surgery and a longer-than-expected recovery set me on this path! When my healing process lasted longer than expected, I had to delay my plans for graduate school. This was when I dove into photography (as a hobby), quickly fell in love, and found out I was pretty good! I started by recruiting my friends as models. Five weeks later, I was asked to take family pictures for my first paid shoot, and it made their Christmas card! Now, I’ve invested in higher-quality equipment (leaps ahead of the camera I stuck in a drawer at age 15!) and am a Minnesota photographer specializing in shooting engagements, weddings, and senior photos.

I love capturing people where they are in life. For couples, I can follow on a date night, capture the “I do,” or freeze time during maternity – right before their family grows. I like to call myself a professional third wheel! For seniors, I love incorporating his or her hobbies, sports, and unique personalities. My goal is to make my clients feel at ease and build relationships. I’m your hype girl at the session, and by the end of the session, you’ve gained a friend! That’s what my work is all about—pouring into others. I hope that everyone leaves feeling how valued they are and that they have images that correlate with that feeling.

As I’ve taken the time to explore photography further, my love has grown to more than just getting the mechanics and angles right – which is why I enjoy taking pictures of people rather than objects. I strive to give my clients a product they are proud to show off and, most importantly, remind them of their value.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Referrals from past clients! I truly do love building relationships with my clients. The best feeling is when I shoot a couple’s engagement session, then wedding, and then they come back for maternity and family photos. Or, I shoot a senior session and the parents schedule me for their next child’s senior session as well. This tells me that I’m doing something right! If a client comes back year after year, they’re loving their photos and in the process we’re building real relationships. That’s what it’s all about! These clients share my name with others and before you know it, I’m booking out three to four months.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I’ve always been a saver. In second grade, I vividly remember wanting to save for college and a house one day. So, that’s definitely helped! But, regardless, owning a photography business is expensive. I don’t think people realize that when they see photography pricing. Camera gear does matter! My recent big purchase was a new camera body that cost over $2,000. That doesn’t include the multiple lenses needed to shoot a wedding, the software to edit and manage the business, the laptop, SD cards, hard drives, insurances, and more! To start out, not all of that is necessary and that’s how I did it. I started out with the expectations of starting my business off right which meant investing in a high quality camera but I didn’t get top of the line and I bought it used. I had limited gear and built up from there. Because of this, I didn’t jump right into weddings. Once I felt comfortable with my gear and had quality equipment, I started accepting wedding clients. It’s all a balance. Investing in equipment is important and it pays off, you don’t need to start off with the best in everything. That can build as your clientele builds!     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ihiphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihiphoto_emily/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihiphotoemily/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-berger-23836a181/

Image Credits
In His Image Photography LLC