We were lucky to catch up with Jaime Russell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jaime, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Profitability is a challenge in the industry of professional photography because a very wide range of pricing exists among professionals as well as amateurs who are building their portfolios. An amateur may charge $50 (or nothing at all) for a service or product, while professionals deep into their career with high overhead cost could charge $500 or more for the same work. The discrepancy in pricing can cause professionals to undervalue their time and their work in order to compete with people who just picked up a camera. It may take younger photographers several years and many adjustments in pricing structures to determine how to be profitable and account for their time, education, gear, demand, etc., in gauging the value of their work. Burnout or failure to thrive financially can result from improperly pricing time and work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began working with a film camera – processing in a darkroom – in high school. My hobby grew into part-time portrait work through and beyond college, then I took a leap of faith in my mid-twenties to make it my full-time job. It’s certainly a job that I love, but I’ve learned that turning a passion into a career still involves plenty of hard work, risks and investments, sleepless nights, pivots in approaching the business.

My primary client base is professional headshot work – in my studio, outdoors, or on-location. I also offer high school senior portraits and family photos. Being a “strobist” photographer sets me apart from natural light photographers because I can create and shape light to create the mood, texture, and effect that I want. I love the technical side of creating a lighting setup in portrait work and using different techniques to give my images a clean and natural look.

I am most proud of reaching a career goal that I reached in 2020 – owning my studio space in downtown Blue Springs. It required another leap of faith and a ton of hard work to bring it to life, but it’s been amazingly fulfilling to see that dream come true.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

I rent my studio to other photographers, businesses who need a large space for classes or gatherings, and people in my community who use it for small events. There have been many more creative and unique uses for the space than I imagined when remodeling the building.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that clients have a good experience with me personally, in addition to receiving high-quality photography. I care about connecting to my clients and ensuring that their experience with me on a personal level is positive and memorable. I care about communicating with them before and during sessions so I can ensure that I’m creating images they will love.

I am also very active in my community (being a Chamber of Commerce member, serving on the board of our downtown revitalization organization and volunteering for projects and events, serving on city boards and commissions), which I believe helps people think of me first when they are in search of a photographer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anthem-photo.com
• Instagram: @anthem_photography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/anthemphotokc

Image Credits
Jaime Russell, Anthem Photography