Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

When I started my business I never dreamed it would become what it has in such a small amount of time. I photographed my first wedding for under 150.00 dollars. I will forever be grateful for that first wedding client, they trusted me and gave me a chance with zero experience. After my first wedding I knew weddings were where my heart was at. The joy and love I am able to document through their gallery is truly an unforgettable experience for each wedding.

I began to follow wedding and engagement photographers on social media that I looked up to and admired. Don’t get me wrong social media can be a comparison trap but it can also be a place to inspire and learn from. Some of the photographers I followed began to host workshops and I was eager to learn from them so of course I jumped at the opportunity. Investing in my business helped me to upscale more than anything.

The workshops and styled shoots taught me to value myself and my talent. I learned that raising my prices wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I knew that the clients that I wanted to book would appreciate me and value me as a photographer. After I began to invest in myself and my business, my business began to grow and scale up! It’s scary to take risks in your business but it always ends up being worth it!

Emily, 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?

I am a professional photographer of six years that specializes in wedding and engagement photography. I strive to create a unique experience for each of my clients. My main goal is to create timeless images that tell the story of your wedding day. Your wedding gallery should feel like you are reliving your special day all over again. Each wedding day is different and it’s important to hire a photographer that can depict that story through their images!

Building a strong relationship with my clients is extremely important to me. Clients become friends to me. I believe that my relationship with my clients is one of the aspects of my business that sets me apart. Becoming friends with clients creates a comfortable relationship and honestly leads to a better photo session! They feel as if they can be themselves which really shows through the images!

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

Social media is a great place to show your personality. When I first started my photography Instagram page I was worried about showing too much of my personality. I didn’t post stories of myself talking or reels because I was afraid my audience wouldn’t want to see that or even care about it. I learned slowly that people liked to hear about every day life for me or funny stories I had to share. I believe when I started to show more of myself my audience began to grow. Showing up on social media as your true self makes you more personable to your audience and relatable!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me is previous clients! Several new clients of mine come through word of mouth. Creating a unique experience for your clients is not only important to show that you appreciate and value them but it also leads to positive feedback! People love to share positive experiences they have had and I think that that leads to more clients!

Contact Info:

• Website: Emilyelizabethportraits.com
• Instagram: @emilyelizabethportraits
• Facebook: Emily Elizabeth Portraits