We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julie Luehrs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

As a photographer asking friends and family for support is how my business became the success it is today. What better way to advertise than having family and friends rave about you and your work. And share their photos and experience with everyone in their circle of friends and co-workers. Word of mouth marketing is a powerful and essential strategy for build trust, increase customer loyalty and drive growth to your business. So yes, I am very grateful to all my family and friends for not only trusting me with all their photography needs but for also sharing my work with everyone they know.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up in a small town in western Nebraska and at the age of 16 I starting working for the local photographer. At a young age, I followed in my mother’s footsteps, having a love for art. I loved watching her paint and often painted along with her or begged her to let me use her paints. But when I starting working in the photography field, this is where my true passion was discovered. Throughout high school and college I assisted many photographers in Nebraska, London England and Colorado. Here is where I learned not only about the camera and lighting but also about running a business. I received my BFA from the University of Denver in 2003 and in the spring of 2004 I opened the doors of Photo Element Studio.
Over the last 20 years I’ve been photographing wedding, families, newborns, toddlers, graduates, headshots and every joyful life changing moment you can think of. I enjoy creating and capturing the most memorable moments in one’s life and giving my clients something they will cherish for a lifetime.

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

I think for me the most effective strategy for growing my clientele is getting to know each of my clients on a more personal level. They might come to me for family photos, but then that turns into headshots which turns into headshots for the entire office which then turns into more family photos or an event or a wedding. Taking the time to learn about your clients on a more personal level not only leads to a repeat client for life but can lead to growing your business along way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Being a business owner is never a smooth road! Over the last 20 years I’ve learned a lot about the little and big choice you make to keep your business healthy and growing. Choices from where to market or advertise and how you want to market your business. Choices of competitive pricing and product you want to offer your clients. And one of the most important choices of how you want to represent yourself and your business. The road does become smoother along the way as you learn the direction you want your business to travel. And over those years you begin building relationships with clients who support and encourage you along the way. My clients have been such a important role in helping me along the way and words can’t express how grateful I am for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photoelementstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoelementstudio_julieluehrs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photoelement

Image Credits

Photo Element Studio