We were lucky to catch up with Emily Mitchell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
I began my interest in photography in middle school when I took at photography class. For years it was just a hobby and something I loved doing. As I had my children, I decided I needed to upgrade to a faster camera to be able to capture their active little lives! From there I learned the more technical side of taking photos. I would post on my social media pages and had friends start asking me to take pictures for them. I did that for a little while just for fun until one day one friend told me I should start a Facebook page for photography. At that time my youngest child was beginning preschool so I thought I would finally be able to have some time to devote to starting a business; and starting a Facebook page was totally free so it couldn’t hurt to give it a try! Once I posted I started having actual bookings right away, and since then my business has grown each year!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I offer a wide range of photography services from family, senior, wedding, maternity, birth, newborn, and sports! I have been told before that I need to narrow down my niche, but I honestly love the variety and the way shooting different genres forces me to stretch to be creative in different ways.
My style during a session is natural and relaxed, and my goal is to completely remove the stress and let your story unfold in front of my camera. I approach sessions in a fun way to bring out each family member’s unique characteristics and ensure that every photo highlights your family’s unique story. I want to provide you with an experience you remember forever, photos that you love, and documentation of the stages of life you walk through. As a mom myself, I know that photos are the most valuable artwork we will ever own!
The absolute best part of my job is having returning clients. I have watched couples get engaged, get married, have babies, then watched those babies grow up. To have a client return year after year is my greatest honor, and something I do not take for granted!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word of mouth is priceless! Providing a wonderful experience in addition to quality photos has been my top priority. When clients feel that they have been cared for, had fun, and received a quality product, they are more than willing to share that with friends and family!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building social media audiences takes time. It is hard to not get frustrated at times and compare yourself to other accounts. The biggest key is consistency! Even during the slow season I have to find things to post about to keep my page active. Scheduling posts is a great tool to use to help cut down on time spent posting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilymitchellphotos.com
- Instagram: @emilymitchellphotos
- Facebook: @emilymitchellphotos