We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Bonorden . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Erica, appreciate you joining us today. 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?

I think the biggest difference I have made in my business this past year is making more effort toward personal and business connections, especially in regard to the wedding industry.

When I first started photography I was improvising and navigating through a lot of grueling stuff on my own. I didn’t know who to ask for help or how to get ahead as a photographer.

This past year I have made so many connections and friendships through different photography groups, wedding groups, styled shoots, and networking opportunities.

Almost my whole friendship circle consists of photographers or wedding industry folk! It is definitely a nice change having a good solid base of connections.

This year I hosted and coordinated my first ever styled shoot and it was truly amazing seeing so many wonderful vendors and photographers come together for one magical day!

Erica, 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 originally went to college for communications and mass media studies. I studied without a solid focus on what I wanted to do after I graduated. Once I did graduate I was pretty lost on how was going to utilize my degree.

My first job after graduating was for a small local jewelry appraiser business that had a side business that consisted of digital marketing and photography. This job I would say was basically my internship for what I do now. I started with product photography, taking plain photos for different jewelers and all types of diamond rings, bracelets, you name it.

As I gained more experience my boss asked me to essentially find a model on Instagram and photograph them for a client wearing various pieces of jewelry the client provided. From then I started dabbling with styling, composition, and photographing people. And that’s when I started really enjoying portrait photography!

After that, I started doing my own creative photoshoots for myself and eventually started my business as a portrait photographer. And all the other things kind of came naturally after that.

I think the biggest thing that sets me apart is my personality and ability to listen. It doesn’t take me long to find a way to converse with literally anyone. And I think it really shows with all the connections I have made over the past 3 years.

I am most proud of my creative style, I think my photographs look very different compared to most and I think people that book me see that as well! I put a lot of time and research into every shoot I do. Whether it is a creative, family, wedding, or couples shoot.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is getting that final feedback from my clients. It is definitely an amazing feeling photographing someone’s wedding and being a part of their special day and moments.

But when clients tell me how much they love their wedding photos and they write a beautiful review it makes me feel like I did my best and they have something amazing to look back on! Obviously, that might be a shallow answer but I love ending a project knowing that my photos made someone truly happy.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think a lot of creatives go through this but it can be confusing for people that do more numerical or straightforward jobs.

For me, the biggest struggle in my journey is being creative ALL the time. Being a photographer can also sometimes be just as stagnant as a regular non-creative field.

There are times of burnout and exhaustion when I just don’t feel creatively inspired. So I think it’s important to take breaks and come back once feeling more inspired. Or sometimes maybe to photograph something out of my comfort zone to feel inspired again.

I really admire people that just go go go but it is okay to also not feel it sometimes and just be creatively tapped out. My advice for everyone and anyone would be to always take time for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericabonordenphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erica_b_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericabonordenphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-bonorden-129812a2/

Image Credits
All photographs are by Erica B. Photography