We were lucky to catch up with Jasalyn DeRyke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasalyn, thanks for joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

I have learned so much starting a business and learning photography BUT if I had to start all over again… I would hire a mentor in the industry from the get-go. I hired one and it made a difference immediately. Not only in editing and shooting but in all aspects of running a photography business. There is just so much information out there and it’s nice to get it from one successful source instead of scouring YouTube. There are many photographer selling mentorship and classes now-a-days. I have found not all are the same so really look into feedback from mentees, style of teaching and what is included. However, with photography I don’t think ‘faster’ is how you start- practicing my craft everyday with a ‘photo-a-day’ project was also a win. Everyone loves a fast result but it really doesn’t happen overnight.

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 got into photography as most moms do, being obsessed with my children! Also in 2015 my family faced many challenges. As a caregiver for my grandmother with Vascular Dementia, a new-again mom, in a new state with difficulties piling up, photography forced me to find the beauty around me in my everyday. Record moments of happiness. Seek sunshine. Document the colorful every day. Freeze moments in time. Memories fade easily, as I have seen, but photography can tell your family’s story for years to come.

I am most proud that I can capture motherhood and milestone’s beautifully for my clients and their families. It is such a small glimpse in our lifetime that can have the biggest impact. This relationship parents have with their children. The love and joy they share. It so nice to have that documented through the years.
Just like everyone says it goes so fast! I think being an older mom and a younger mom (my oldest is 14 years older than my youngest) has helped me see just how fast childhood goes. I know the importance of capturing childhood, every single year. You will never have enough professional images of your children. They grow and change so fast.
I think part of the reason I haven’t niched down to one particular client base is because I have experience with all the ages and enjoy working with them all. I photograph maternity, newborns, families, and high school seniors.
I also love photographing other business owners.  As I have seen how much showcasing myself through images and visual media has helped my own business- I enjoy helping others thrive too. Clients love to put a face to the name of your buisness.

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

Oh, social media and I aren’t the best of friends! I am active on Instagram and Facebook but I do not spend all my time there. I do not have thousands of followers either. However, I have a consistently booked calendar. I think photographers get caught up thinking the only marketing power is social media. I’ll tell you it’s not. Most of my clients come from referrals, google searches and repeat clients. Sure, I use social media as a quasi portfolio but mostly I use it to build relationships. Like that cute newborn I photographed last year, I just got to see his first steps- heart melted. That headshot session from last month, looks so powerful on the client’s posts about her services. I love seeing my client’s post, hearing from them and cheering them on! Social media is not everything, just a small piece.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creative will ALWAYS struggle to understand that this journey as a ‘creative-in-business’ is a lot of work and time. It is never just shooting at the session. Each session takes hours to complete. Years of practice, learning and fine-tuning your craft. Licensing, insurance, permits, taxes, equipment, software, storage… I can go on. It drives us photographers’ crazy when potential clients say things like ‘looking for a reasonably priced photographer’ or ‘looking for a photographer that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg’. This is a business, bottom line, and you are paying for our professionalism, experience, service and time. I price myself to make a profit or this business isn’t successful and will fall apart. Yet, it hurts to hear that over and over again. So my advice is just to not make comments like that. Photography is a luxury, a craft, an art. If you have a small budget state what you are willing to pay, maybe there is a beginner looking for practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AudreyAlexanderPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audrey.alexander.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audreyalexphoto