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

Alright, Erin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Throughout my life, I have always had a passion for creating. Whether it was designing birthday cards on the computer as a young child, painting, or drawing, I was constantly engaged in artistic endeavors. Art has consistently been my favorite subject in school, even during my elementary years, and as I entered high school, I began considering it as a potential career path. Fortunately, I had the privilege of attending a high school with an exceptional art department and a teacher who encouraged us to explore visual arts as a profession. I eagerly enrolled in every art class offered by my school throughout my four years of high school. When researching colleges, I specifically focused on their Art & Visual Art departments to determine if they would be a good fit for me. My experience at Taylor University was truly exceptional, as the entire Art Department was not only highly knowledgeable in their respective fields, but also well-versed in the real-world job opportunities available. They did an outstanding job preparing all of us for successful careers in the Visual Arts.

Erin, 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?

After completing my college education, I took the initiative to establish my own business in Photography and Freelance Graphic Design. Although I had some reservations about finding clients on my own, I needed a job that offered a flexible schedule as I was supporting my husband in his new job and planning to start a family. Little did I know that photography and small business branding would eventually become my full-time occupation. I launched my company in 2008 and was fortunate enough to be able to work on it full-time right from the start. However, in 2023, I made the decision to officially retire from wedding photography in order to be more available on weekends for my older children’s activities. As a result of this shift, I gladly accepted the position of Director of Marketing & Media at The Flowerman. At The Flowerman, my primary responsibility is to promote our distinctive business model within the wedding industry. We take pride in being pioneers in providing brides with a do-it-yourself (DIY) experience that allows them to save money on their wedding florals. I am particularly proud of the fact that our company offers brides the opportunity to have the floral arrangements of their dreams while always considering their budgets. In this industry, many florists have high minimum requirements, leaving some brides with limited options. However, we ensure that every bride receives flowers that she adores, regardless of her budget. Being able to market a company that prioritizes people and their needs is truly something to be proud of. Furthermore, I am exceptionally proud that I can bring my expertise in wedding photography to this role. Not only do I possess technical skills in the art of photography, but I also have a deep understanding of the wedding industry. Weddings are simultaneously wonderful and stressful occasions for many couples, and having photographed numerous weddings, I am well-acquainted with the challenges and intricacies of the planning process. This knowledge not only helps me assist clients during our DIY experience but also enables me to effectively market our services to couples who are seeking the perfect floral arrangements for their special day. My ultimate goal is to make every bride feel valued, ensuring that her opinions and vision take center stage throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to her wedding day. This commitment to prioritizing the bride’s needs is shared by our entire team.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I never want to forget the fact that, at the core of my profession, I have the opportunity to create art as a way of making a living. As artists, we have the power to express emotions, share experiences, embark on journeys, and encompass everything in between through our creations. What truly fascinates me is the understanding that something I create can hold meaning for someone else, whether it’s capturing the special moments of a wedding through photography or designing a unique logo for a growing small business.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Last year, I made a significant change in my career path. After dedicating 16 years to full-time wedding photography, I made the difficult decision to retire from it in order to prioritize my family’s needs. Although I thoroughly enjoyed capturing the special moments of couples’ big days, I realized that the time I have with my children and their activities is limited. However, as luck would have it, an exciting opportunity presented itself at The Flowerman, which perfectly combined my various interests and skills into one role. Now, as the Director of Marketing & Media, I am able to utilize my expertise in photography, graphic design, writing, and web design, all while having the flexibility to spend evenings and weekends with my family.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flowermanflowers.com
• Instagram: @flowermanflowers
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/flowermanweddings
• Linkedin: Erin (Shinabarger) Geyer
• Youtube: @flowermantv39

Image Credits
I photographed all of these