We were lucky to catch up with Ethan Herrold recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ethan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

My business is all about empowering maternity photography. I worked with a pro runner named Katie Follett during her pregnancy. She was used to being a svelte runner, after becoming pregnant she was struggling embracing her new body. I invited her out to my studio for a maternity shoot. Although she was hesitant, she agreed to shoot. At the start of her shoot, she was visibly nervous, however, after getting into the rhythm of the maternity photos, I could see her confidence return. She ended up staying for almost 4 hours. She was beaming by the time she left my studio. At our next shoot, a running themed pregnancy shoot, her husband pulled me aside to offer his compliments. “Ethan,” he said, “I just want to thank you. You totally changed Katie’s attitude toward pregnancy and her body.” That was the most heartwarming feedback I’ve ever gotten, and made me feel as though I chose the right profession as a maternity photographer.

Ethan, 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?

Colorado Maternity is Colorado’s only dedicated maternity photographer. I strive to craft images that portray the beauty and elegance of the expecting mothers I works with. Grounded in the crisp, bold style I am best known for, I photographs iconic portraits of mothers and their growing baby bump. Working both in studio and on location, I capture the unique perspectives and stories of pregnancy.

I got my start in glamour portraiture. However, there is less work in this field of photography. And, as it turns out, pregnant women are the perfect fit for my style. I am all about empowering photography. I am determined to make every client who walks through my doors feel and look nothing short of gorgeous. What makes me unique, is I am highly specialized in individual maternity art. I don’t shoot newborns or families, I focus on expecting mamas. I try to explain my photography as a beauty experience, similar to getting your hair or nails done. It is part of personal care in pregnancy, a unique way to feel and look beautiful. I tell clients to invest in a couple hours to document this magical and incredibly short time. It’s worth it.

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

I used to photography anyone who would pay me. Events, food, headshots, newborns, weddings, engagements, real estate, you get the idea! I realized I loved fine art portraiture and wanted to find a way to make this my full time niche. Pregnancy portraiture was the natural next step, as there plenty of mamas who want to document their growing family. My editorial style of shooting fits perfectly with maternity photography.

So I founded my brand Colorado Maternity Photography. I was lucky enough to get both the trade name, website url, and Instagram. So I jumped in. I founded my own studio in the middle of 2020, and haven’t looked back since. Now I have built up a referral engine as well as a wealth of portfolio work. I have a reservoir of client testimonials as well. All of this would not have been possible if I didn’t chose the specific niche of pregnancy portraits.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

One of the attributes of my business is I add a personal touch to every communication with my clients. I give out my cell phone number to all my prospective clients. I often text clients on and off for weeks before a shoot. I answer emails and DM’s on social media personally. I never use automated responses. I always strive to be available for whatever questions my clients may have. I serve as a sort of photoshoot concierge to make clients excited, confident and ready for their shoot!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coloradomaternity.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coloradomaternity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloradomaternity
• Other: Google: https://g.page/comaternity

Image Credits
Ethan Herrold/Colorado Maternity Photography