Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Stoecker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?
One of my goals as a photographer is provide not only beautiful images but also to provide a fun and memorable experience. I worked for a theme park in the town where I graduated High School and their philosophy has stuck with me throughout my career. They believed in “making memories worth repeating”. They empowered their employees down to the lowest level to ensure that visitors had a great experience and wanted to come back for more.
I try to delight my clients with unexpected gifts as well. This not only reminds them of the fun experience they had with me, but gives them something tangible to remember me by for the next time they want to have photos taken.
Julie, 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 started my journey in visual story-telling in college. I graduated with a BA in Broadcast Communications from Evangel University. I was a studio manager at the #1 NBC affiliate in the country. After spending 11 years in broadcasting, I became the video producer for Global University where I was able to travel all over the world including Cuba, London, Vietnam and Cambodia making video content for fundraising and educational purposes.
I started my entrepreneurial journey when my daughter was born in 2012 due to the lack of child care. To venture out on my own was the best business decision I have every made. I love working for myself and taking on projects that I want to work on and having the flexibility to be present for my family.
I started my own photography and video production company called Stoecker Media. I specialize in family and event photography as well as video production for non-profits. My focus is on story-telling. In 2018 I produced a documentary called Not My Child in partnership with the Missouri Department of Mental Health that focussed on telling stories of families effected by substance use. We interviewed parents on early warning signs and their journey dealing with the disease and what advice they would pass onto other family members dealing with a loved one struggling with substance misuse. The documentary has now been used all over the country to help families understand substance use and how to get help for their loved one who is struggling.
In 2019 I started producing a weekly television show called Dr. Marla focused on encouraging messages from the bible. It airs in several countries around the world on the NRB network. In 2021 I opened my first small studio where I can do photography and video production. I have done photography sessions for countless families and organizations. I’ve produced video pieces for numerous non-profits in the area. I have also recently partnered with another photographer on a wedding collaborative business called Redbud Collaborative Weddings to provide photography and videography to local couples getting married. I am also a volunteer photographer for On Angels’ Wings that provides free photography services to families facing infant loss or fragile diagnosis for their children. I have also produced several video testimonials for On Angels’ Wings to help spread awareness of what they do in our community.
I feel everyone has a story that can uplift, inspire and encourage someone else. I always say, “everyone has a story. I want to capture yours”.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that I was born legally blind. Congenital Cataracts runs in my family. My father lost his sight in his early adulthood to glaucoma and a detached retina. I struggled all my life to find my purpose and have always been drawn to a camera. I see better with a camera lens than with my naked eye. I think that’s why I love it so much because I get to see all the details. I have learned that we can do amazing things with what little we have to offer. I love capturing and telling stories through photography and video. Those stories drive my passion to improve my craft every day. I want to do those stories justice and inspire others to reach for their dreams in spite of their shortcomings. My photographs have been published in several magazines and my videos are being watched all over the world. Everyone has the potential to do amazing things with what little they have to offer, they just need to follow their passion. I get to follow mine every day and that is so rewarding to me.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My clients come to me by word of mouth. That’s why making memories worth repeating is so valuable to me. When my clients rave about their experience with me, others can’t wait to work with me. That is the best reward of all. That’s why it’s so important to me to give my clients the best experience. I delight them with little thank you gifts along the way to remind them of how much fun we had. I give them an experience that they want to go and tell their friends about. They choose me again because not only did they get a great product, but they also had a great experience along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stoeckermedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoeckermediallc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoeckerMedia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-stoecker-266b6591/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcUL7anhPi-X9LcOTIocr7Q
- Other: Here are our wedding collaborative business links. https://www.redbudcoweddings.com/ https://www.facebook.com/redbudcoweddings https://www.instagram.com/redbudcoweddings/ https://www.youtube.com/@Redbudcoweddings
Image Credits
Branding images of me were done by Hannah DeVries at Portrait Novella The family images were done by Me, Stoecker Media LLC