We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Bizanovich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Katie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I manage my own social media, simply because I’m a very visual person – which makes sense based on my career path – but I know exactly what I want to share and how I want to share it. I’ve always been good at social media and when I realized I needed to take it more seriously for my career, I really dove into it. I look at all the analytics, trends, etc, and that helps me tailor my content better for my ideal client. I grew my Instagram pretty drastically during 2020, because that was the perfect time to really get into it since we were all stuck at home. I wasn’t booking anything new til later that year and I had to get creative and figure out how to share work I already had to still reach current/new clients. 2020 was actually my busiest year yet, and it has only gotten busier since! I think my social media definitely impacted that reach and consistent bookings.

My advice or tips for others when it comes to social media would be to really focus on who you want to reach. Who is your ideal client? When are they online? What kind of content do THEY want to see when they log on? How can you use your expertise to create content that will pull them in? And not just from a business standpoint – but people want to see YOU. They may follow you for whatever business it is that you’re in, but they want to see the person or people behind that business. Share day to day things about behind the scenes in your job, or share things you like to do in your free time, etc. People want to feel like they can know you and trust you/your business. So sharing not only your business content, but throwing in some personal as well, can really help build your audience and client base. If you can’t do it yourself, I’d definitely invest in someone or a team that can help you get started. Knowing the numbers is important, but knowing your audience is key to a successful social media presence and maintaining that.

Katie, 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?

For those who don’t know me, I specialize in corporate & lifestyle photography and videography. When I was 13, my dad got me a small digital camera and I instantly fell in love with taking photos. I loved nature, so that was my thing when I first started. I LOVED taking photos of flowers or the sunset. Then it slowly turned into taking photos of my sister’s dog, then our family dog, and then I got my first DSLR camera and started taking photos of my friends just for fun! I realized I really loved taking photos of people and I decided then (I was probably 17 at the time?) that this was the job meant for me. I never wanted to do anything else. I shot my first wedding when I was 17 and its been 11 years since then and I now shoot weddings, families, seniors, maternity, & special events.

I’ve received 5+ photography awards, 2 photos in print publications, and photographs placed on display at TAMARACK and Stifel Fine Arts Center in WV, my dream is still the same.

I think what sets me apart from others is my heart really. I am an extremely hard worker, but behind that work ethic is just a gal who wants to do the absolute BEST for her clients. My photography style is its own, but I love to incorporate fun elements to elevate the photos, whether that is spray fog, flowers, string lights, etc. If there is something around me I can find or that I bring myself that I think would be cool to incorporate, I’ll do it! My ability to see random objects around me as an opportunity to create art – or really just elevate the art itself – is what sets me apart.

I also don’t ever want to just take photos. I want to create a meaningful experience with those you love. To capture those special moments and tell your story in a beautiful honest way. I’m also an adopted child, so that gives me an extra aspect of knowing just how important family is – whatever yours looks like. From booking to the time I deliver a gallery, I want my clients to feel something. They know I can handle the project, but they also know that I CARE about them personally and it’s not just “how can I get the best Pinterest-worthy photos”. If your kids are having a meltdown in the middle of the session – that is okay! I either bring out the bubbles or we just sit and let it pass! Taking the time to let my clients move at their own pace and be gentle with them is a huge thing for me. Especially with wedding days being as stressful as they are, you’ll often find me buttoning the tiny difficult buttons on the brides dress, or helping put her shoes on, or putting the boutonnieres on the guys. Whatever I can do to take stress off of someone else or be helpful in some way, I’m there! I always laugh because often times my clients, whether it is a wedding or just a session, will point out that I do way more than just take the photos! I show up for y’all. In every way possible!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, I feel like the most rewarding aspect of my job as a creative is just seeing the impact of my photos. To try to explain that, I feel like when I send a gallery out – whether its wedding photos, family, senior, etc – and I get a response almost immediately from my client and they are over the moon about the images I gave, it makes my heart so full. Some say something about the experience, like how I made them feel super comfortable or they were really not in the best mindset about themselves but the photos make them feel beautiful – thats why I do what I do. And no matter what event or milestone it is that I photograph, I care more about the impact of my work than the work itself if that makes sense! I go above and beyond to make sure every client I work with feels seen, cared for, loved, and they just know that I have their back no matter what. The relationship or the bond with my clients is so rewarding. Especially with those clients that keep coming back over years and years!

How did you build your audience on social media?

So I built my audience on social media mostly just showing up as I am. It’s hard to get out of your own head, because when you really want to be successful at social media, you have to do more than just post a couple times a week. You have to get on stories, and make reels, and share BTS, etc. A lot goes into it and you kind of feel at first like people will make fun of you for getting on your stories and just chatting away into the screen. But for me, that is what I have noticed makes a huge impact. People might follow you for your work – but most of the time they follow you FOR YOU. They want to connect with the person behind the pretty photos or videos, so getting out of my comfort zone and showing my life outside of just my photography and videography has really changed my social media presence.

For those just starting out, I’d say to do just that. Just show up as you are. It might feel awkward but eventually people will engage with you. Post polls, share your favorite restaurant or boutique you love to go to, talk to your audience, etc. There are so many ways to engage with your audience and potential customers which is why social media is so great. If you don’t have something to post one day – just get on stories! Or share a local business you love. Share what you’re doing to keep busy during slow season. There are so many ways to show up without feeling like you aren’t doing enough. You want that engagement, so you need to engage with them to get that in return!    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tsgphotography.com/
• Instagram: katie.bizanovich.photo
• Facebook: TSG Photography Co