We were lucky to catch up with Frankie Krusen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Frankie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

I feel like as a photographer, we all have crazy stories about clients. I do have some negative ones, some that don’t directly affect me..but I’d rather share the fun story.

I used to nanny for someone that played in the NHL. Growing up, we were a hockey family. So while I did think it was cool to nanny for someone in the NHL, I’ve also never been super phased by well known people in any industry..we’re all just people. BUT! It’s not everyday that you get invited to photograph a Stanley cup party. During the day I photographed all the friends and family coming by and celebrating. Later in the evening, was the party. Everyone is drinking out of the Stanley cup and eventually, it was my turn. It’s not everyday that you get to say you’ve attended a Stanley cup party and gotten to drink out of it. My family is still pretty envious! But it was such a fun memory and exciting event to photograph.

Frankie, 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?

Hi, I’m Frankie! I’m a family and wedding photographer. I focus on documenting couples and families as they are. I don’t like forced smiles, stiff poses. I love capturing stories. Every family is unique and your photos should show that. This is your legacy. These are moments we don’t get back, and memories we get to share with friends and family years from now.

Having kids really changed my perspective. I didn’t want to the perfect photos of all of us looking at the camera. I wanted to rmemeber things we’ve done together as a family, or their little personalities, certain snacks or toys they loved playing with at different ages. These are the memories I’m going to appreciate and cherish down the road. And that’s what I want to give my clients. I think once I focused on those things in my own work is when I truly found myself as a photographer and felt confident in my work. I felt like I could be more creative instead of trying to deliver the same photos to every client. We don’t have to blend in. There are so many different photographers, there is someone for everyone.

It’s the best feeling when I get an inquiry and they tell me my photos feel like looking at families old photos. They give them a nostalgic feeling. That’s exactly what I want my clients to feel. To make sure I can document my clients in the best way, I find out everything I can about them before their session. Truly cater their session to them. Wether it’s the location, the thing their doing together. Making the session about them is what brings out the best images. Let your clients be themselves. Guiding them without forcing something that doesn’t feel like them.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is so hard sometimes. But I feel like I truly started gaining more of a following when I started showing myself more and connecting with others. Actually engaging with clients and other photographers. Keep showing up. It takes time. But the more you show yourself, your clients feel like they know you and can connect with you and are more willing to book with someone they feel like they already know.

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

After I had kids, being away every weekend for weddings got hard. I love love love photographing weddings and always will, but I have been pickier with who I’m booking with and how many weekends I’m booked. I really had to look into my pricing and make it all worth my time as a working mom. You don’t have to overwork yourself.

Becoming a mom can also feel isolating as a photographer. The industry is overwhelming at times and it’s easy to feel lost. My friend started a community for mom photographers called Creative as a Mother and eventually brought me in on it with her. We’ve really shifted the way we look at business and the industry. We’ve helped ourselves and our own businesses while also growing a community and helping them as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frankiephotographymi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankiephoto_