We recently connected with Josh Sells and have shared our conversation below.

Josh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

Running a business by yourself can be stressful from time to time. You have no one to rely on but you…and sometimes you can be unreliable! This leads me to my biggest unexpected challenge of running my business and taking it to the next level… ME. Seven years ago I catapulted myself into the big city from a small town in Tennessee. I was shooting a lot of family and senior photos, but I was dreaming of working with bigger brands and collaborating with other creatives to make unforgettable content. I moved to a place that has a lot of opportunities at your fingertips — I just had to be the one to grasp them. So here I am in this perfect place to grow my business and I’m just wasting time sitting there thinking of all the things I have to do instead of actually getting out there and doing them! While my business has grown substantially since moving here, I still crave more for it and myself. Being aware of the fact that I am the biggest problem in expanding my business has definitely helped me grow. I keep myself more accountable for my procrastination and self-doubt. I wake up with the excitement of knowing I’m the one that can accomplish my goals and dreams. You can have anything you want, you just have to be the one to get out there and reach for it.

Josh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am passionate about creating bold visuals that leave the viewer entranced by the subject. If there’s any type of person I crave in life, it’s someone with a good story to share- someone that makes me feel like I’m living a completely different life than the person in front of me… or my lens. I’ve always been drawn to images that tell a story and linger with you even after they’ve passed you by, and I strive to create this feeling in my work.
I’m truly proud to be a part of such a diverse city with endless opportunities that give me the chance to expand my creative career and learn more about myself along the way.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For me, it really comes down simply to word of mouth. Apart from running my business, I work in a speakeasy in Midtown, Manhattan, where I interact with thousands of people a day. I never shy away from sharing with them about my passions as a photographer. I love talking to people after all, why not use that as a segue to grow my business? I’ve gained so many clients and friends just from talking about what I love to do.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The You Are a Badass series by Jen Sincero. I read them as soon as I moved here and couldn’t put them down. Sincero really knows how to call you out and whip you into shape with just a few sentences. Those books really gave me a sense of control over my life and way to navigate the world around me. By the end of each chapter you really do feel like a badass- and I am one. Thanks, Jen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joshsells.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: @joshsells