We caught up with the brilliant and insightful HOLLY DOUGHTY a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, HOLLY thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I went to the art institute of atlanta for commercial advertising photography degree. They taught me how to photograph products and people but after college I wanted to learn so much more than that so I went to local photographers that has been in the business for a long time. I learned from wedding photographers, product photographers, fashion and lifestyle photographers, etc.. I wanted to learn everything about photography and how to light every subject and learn how I could open up my own studio and run it to be as successful as them. The only difference is I wanted to learn everything and specialize in all types of photography, not just specialize in just wedding photography or portrait photography. I wanted to learn and be able to do anything and everything at my studio with no limits. I didn’t want to turn down any business. I want to be your one stop shop kind of studio. You can come to me for wedding, maternity, newborn, business headshots, modeling portfolio’s, lifestyle photography and so much more. Not many photo studio have survived past the 5-10 year mark of being open so that was my goal to never stop driving myself and keep up with the times and push through the hard times. The first 2 years were extremely hard but now we are on year 13 and doing better than ever. We will always have obstacles but nothing to big for us to handle. I love my business and our clients.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I offer a one stop shop photography studio. Any budget, any person, and any style. We photograph any subject of photography weather it be personal or business or seasonal. You can hire us for your business and also hire us to be your family photographer. Once we make that bond we will be your forever photographer.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
Over the 13 years we have done alot of marketing whether it be online or print or trade shows, etc.. But the one marketing advise I could give to any business is your going to loose some and win some and what works right now will not work a year from now. The marketing is changing so fast and things fade so much you have to be on the constant change and new ideas of how to advertise and where to advertise at. Social media is a great and free tool to use but the paid ads on social media can defiantly get the word out faster for you to grow. Having a store front for us has always helped bring in locals and we advertise in some local businesses. Once you get a client, always go over and beyond to make them happy so they can spread the word or give a great review, word of mouth is such the best marketing tool for any business. Having a real person out there spreading the word about your business for free is the best thing and plus they will be a repeat client for the future.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing is giving our clients that have a vision and watch it come to life for them then when they finally get the final photo they are over the moon so excited. Our photography will live forever and they will always remember that moment in time. Us creating something so special for someone to hang in their home or their small business or to give as a gift to someone they love is so special to us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hdphotographyatlanta.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hd.photography.atlanta/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HDPhotography.Georgia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-a-doughty-07a556189/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/holly6327/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hd-photography-canton-2
Image Credits
HD Photography