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

Ericka, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Personally, I learned from a mixture: Practicing, reading various books and one class I took at college. I’m much more of a “learn as you go” person, but I also love reading so when it came to photography I combined the two. I don’t think I would have done anything to speed up the learning process, personally I feel more people need to slow down when it comes to photography – too many people buy an expensive camera, take photos on auto & think they’re a photographer just because the photo is halfway decent on screen.
The most essential skill for a photographer to learn is how to use manual mode – to actually know how ISO, F/stop and shutter speed all work together to get an image where you need it to be. Not to mention keeping your white balance the same throughout a session.
Honestly, time is possibly my biggest obstacle with learning more. Photography is constantly changing, from film to digital, now more towards mirrorless – not to mention the changes in the editing programs. With 2 young kids, a part time job and my photography – time is limited. But I’m always looking to learn more & improve my craft.

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?

My name is Ericka Talbot, I am 34 years old, I am a photographer who specializes in Family Photography, including Newborn, Maternity, Breastfeeding, Milestone & Child Portrait Sessions. My family & I moved to the PNW from the Capital Region of NY in March of 2022. I started practicing photography in my teens after receiving my first SLR camera for Christmas when I was about 16, from there my love for photography grew into a hobby, and later (in my late 20s) my own business. I dabbled in a variety of different types of photography before settling into Family Photography for my business, Ericka LC Photography.
When not doing client photos, I love photographing nature, abandoned building & the occasional model shoot. Previously I did more modeling sessions, but since my kids are getting older I decided to limit those session to focus on the sessions that grant me more income, and more time with my little family.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest things I have struggled with in the past (and still a little bit now) is comparing myself to others. Should I be doing what that photographer is doing? Should I offer more session types? Should I change my prices to match others in the area? And so on, and so forth.
It’s difficult, trying to succeed in a field that is so oversaturated; and unfortunately photography is one of the most saturated fields there is. Every day, there’s a new photographer advertising their sessions.
I realized recently, within the past year, that although it’s so oversaturated – it’s not my circus. I need to focus on ME, what I want from MY photography, and what I can offer MY clients.
I ended up leaving all the photography “learning” groups on FB, unfollowed all the other photographers I had previously followed on FB and my personal Instagram – and decided I no longer care about what other’s are charging. My prices reflect me; my knowledge, my years of experience, my artistic style, and my beautiful images I give to my clients.

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

For photography, from my experience it’s word of mouth that best helps to grow my clientele. Having active social media, an updated & beautiful site helps – but giving clients an amazing experience followed by beautiful images that they can tell other’s about is the best way. Everyone has social media & a website, but who you are in person trumps it all. At two of my most recent sessions I was told “This was an amazing first experience with you!” and “You’re such a lovely person, thank you so much!” and those are the moments they’ll tell their friends and families.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://erickalcphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/erickalcphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/erickalcphotography

Image Credits
Image Credits Ericka LC Photography