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

Alright, Ginny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

How did I learn to do what I do?
My journey into photography began when I was a videography major in college, and like many, I first dabbled in capturing the beauty of flowers, landscapes, and sunsets. But when digital photography became more accessible, I fell in love with how I could instantly see the effects of adjusting different settings. This ability to experiment sparked my passion for photography, and I quickly found myself wanting more equipment to explore this new creative outlet.

At that time, many of my friends were starting families, and I realized I could combine my love for photography with practice by photographing their kids. Children are so natural in front of the camera, unbothered by my presence, and those early sessions were not only fun but invaluable in honing my skills. My friends encouraged me to start charging, and soon my client base grew organically—starting with friends, then friends of friends, and eventually reaching entirely new clients. That’s when I knew this could be more than just a hobby.

To keep improving, I took various online classes and community college courses. My learning didn’t stop with photography skills though. My experience working a corporate job gave me essential insights into client relations, communication, and the importance of staying organized—skills that have proven just as important as taking the perfect shot.

Knowing what I know now, what could I have done to speed up my learning process?
Looking back, I wish I had focused on building a stronger business foundation earlier. The creative side of photography is only one small part of running a successful business. I found myself learning the business side—marketing, client management, finances, and time management—on the go. If I had taken business courses or sought mentorship earlier, I could have avoided some of the growing pains that come with entrepreneurship. The faster I learned that running a photography business is about so much more than just taking great photos, the more smoothly things began to run.

What skills were most essential?
Aside from the obvious technical photography skills, I found that communication and organization were key to my success. Working in a corporate setting taught me how to effectively manage client relationships, set expectations, and ensure clear communication throughout every project. This helped me build trust with clients, manage my time well, and deliver results consistently. Additionally, staying organized—whether it’s managing bookings, keeping track of editing schedules, or maintaining client records—has been crucial to keeping the business side of things running smoothly.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
One of the biggest challenges was balancing personal life with the desire to grow my business and meet the needs of my clients. As a small business owner, there’s always the temptation to do it all, but I quickly learned the importance of setting boundaries. Maintaining a balance between flexibility and protecting my time is still something I work on today.

Keeping up with technology was another hurdle. Photography equipment and software are constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest tools is essential but also overwhelming at times. Finding time to continue learning, whether it’s mastering new editing techniques or upgrading my equipment, has been a constant part of the journey.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have two main branches of my photography business- families and branding:

Families: I completely get that family life is busy and chaotic. My favorite moments with my own family are often the ones not planned or expected- the spontaneous giggle or exchange that can only happen between us. My family is far from perfect, and even as a photographer I have the hardest time getting great photos of my own kids. But when I do, it means everything. I understand the importance of capturing those moments and the shared love and unique relationships at each and every stage.
Photography is my way to remember that life is full of beautiful moments, just waiting to be found. This is my approach to every photography session—to capture the beauty and unseen moments– those precious smiles and stolen glances. We know we can’t stop time, but we can at least capture the moments to look back and remember.

Branding: Someone’s business brand is deep and personal. It’s a part of them- they have invested a great deal of themselves into that business and how they tell that story is incredibly important!
But branding isn’t just about logos and colors; it’s about telling a story in a way that resonates with the right audience. For branding sessions I become more than a photographer- I’m there to bring out the story, help determine the right visuals to bring a brand’s narrative to life.

My time as a family portrait photographer has helped me understand how to tell a story through photos, and branding is just another storyline.
I love the challenge of diving deep to unravel a business’s soul and capture its essence. As a small business owner, I understand the digital marketing challenges, and I love helping other entrepreneurs on their journey.

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

One of the most significant pivots in my business came after I started a family of my own. When I was single, it was easy to dedicate weekends to shooting weddings or filling my calendar with back-to-back portrait sessions. I could fully immerse myself in my work, often without thinking twice about the time commitment or the demands of a weekend marathon.

However, once I had kids, my priorities shifted. I now had to balance not only my clients’ needs but also my family’s schedule—school events, activities, and the everyday moments that are so important to be present for. This change forced me to reevaluate how and when I provided my photography services. Weekend weddings or marathon portrait sessions no longer fit into my lifestyle, and I had to find a way to keep doing what I love while being there for my family.

That’s when I decided to pivot my focus and diversify my offerings. I began shifting more into weekday-based photography, like headshots and branding photography. This not only gave me more control over my schedule but also opened up new opportunities in areas I hadn’t fully explored before. Branding photography, in particular, allowed me to work with other business owners, helping them tell their stories while aligning better with my family life.

This pivot was a necessary change that ultimately made my business more flexible and sustainable, allowing me to continue growing while also prioritizing what matters most—my family. Which ironically is what started me in this photography journey- capturing the love of families.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been about more than just marketing—it’s about being present and being real. I believe that people want to work with someone they can connect with, so I focus on being approachable, friendly, and inviting. Whether I’m behind the camera or responding to an inquiry, I aim to be someone that clients enjoy being around—someone who treats them the way I would want to be treated. That personal touch goes a long way in creating trust and making clients feel comfortable, which often leads to word-of-mouth referrals.

Dependability is another key factor. People need to know they can count on you. Whether it’s delivering high-quality photos on time or being flexible when life throws unexpected challenges their way, I’ve found that being reliable and consistent helps build lasting relationships with clients.

Finally, flexibility and understanding are crucial. Life happens—kids get sick, weather changes, schedules shift. I’ve always aimed to provide a little grace when things don’t go as planned, because we all need that sometimes. My clients know they can trust me to be adaptable when needed, which not only strengthens our relationship but also encourages them to return for future sessions and refer me to others.

By being real, dependable, and understanding, I’ve been able to grow a loyal client base that appreciates both my work and the way I work with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginnyfilerphotography.com
• Instagram: @ginnyfiler and @ginnyfilerphotography_branding
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginnyfilerphotography

Image Credits

Ginny Filer Photography