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

Larissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Women after the age of 40 have a lot of changes to their confidence, body and sometimes lifestyle. We tend to give so much to our families, careers and many others that maybe we feel a little disconnected from the feelings we had graduating high school, starting our jobs and raising our families. With so many changes, I notice that women may not value themselves as beautiful, confident, or successful due to so many changes. A photography session that focuses on a woman’s self expression, life contribution and adaptation can tremendously help increase self-confidence, reestablish direction and set the mood for the next years of changes as we beautifully mature. The. 40 over 40 photography experience invites women to be celebrated but also share their powerful journey. At the end of the year, the favorite image will be fine art printed in Italy and showcased gallery style with submissions from an interview. The ladies will also have the opportunity to meet one another and share their growth and goals. I have witnessed the strength and beauty of these women. Their biggest hurdle is allowing themselves permission to express and enjoy the pampering treatment and styling a celebrity enjoys daily. There are times when women reject this image of themselves because it has been a long time before they celebrated this way. Once in a lifetime, a woman deserves to take a moment and notice herself and allow others to notice her changes and shifts along her journey. I have learned so much and out of all the creative adventures I have participated in this has offered emotional growth as I use all my gifts to share the luxury and skill of a fine art photographer.

Larissa, 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?

My journey started with a photo a family friend took of me at birth that my dad had mounted on wood and enlarged. That image always made me feel that my parents greatly valued me. I didn’t know it but my drive and pursuit of photo excellence with achievements creating internationally accredited work was from a passion to share the gift of legacy for others.

From the insta Kodak cameras, to the dark room to the ethereal underwater, I have always enjoyed pushing my skills to the next level. Learning film processing , photoshop and business has grown me as a creative.

Competing in The Portrait Masters with creative and competitive excellence with my peers has afforded me some of the most exciting relationships with artists all over the world. I enjoy growing my skill while contributing my areas of expertise. Our photo community celebrating success of ourselves and others.

Giving families the fine art work printed to last beyond their lifetime is my true joy.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m going to crown myself the pivot Queen!! In 1997, in college when I started with classes, I intended to be a landscape photographer for my personal enjoyment only. I continue to take my cameras for “walks.” When my x lost his job in 2012, we had a newborn, I started Christmas photos so that I could purchase some toys and put a little food on the table. This started me on a wedding photographer pathway. I love love and my technical skills were on point for all of the indoor/outdoor skills necessary to create a beautiful image for my couples. In 2017, I had 6 weddings on the books for the year when I had a terrible car accident that kept me from handling a camera for 2 hours let alone the 10 needed for a wedding day. I refunded and regretted that loss. I did attend a Portrait Masters conference in L.A. and connected with powerful, gorgeous entrepreneur women who used their photography to build up women in business and family. In January, 2018, I worked with a Master level photographer in Philadelphia to increase my skills and to learn dry ice creation. I finally set my heart on being the best portrait photographer but had yet another pivot on my path. In April of that year, by incidental discovery, I was blessed to be diagnosed and recovered from a giant aneurysm. After my recovery, I realized that this gift of self confidence and portrait was so enlightening as in 2019, I flew to L.A. to hqve my own luxury session and learn from New Zealand Master, Richard Wood. I started entry into competition. 2020, it was going to be MY year baby!! I was ready to …. Oh pivot yet again. I think I did 7 sessions for super close friends and lost thousands as my equipment rested. It didn’t get dusty as I dug into more learning and refining lighting. For some reason, there have been times I’ve questioned what is wrong with my to be so focused and driven to stay the course with the camera but as I write this on a plane returning to Tampa from an anniversary session in the Pennsylvania; the ability to create this joy and celebration for others as I see and honor their journey with above professional standard images lights me up too!!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The absolute best source of new clients will always be word of mouth. Watching my clients, daily build my social media and client list through referral is amazing. When a new client contacts me, they already have confidence in my abilities and service. I can serve a limited number of families per year so I need to know that my style and service level are going to be an excellent fit with the client. The work speaks for itself and it feels excellent to have the people who spent quality time with me value that enough to share it with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Portraitbylarissa.com
• Instagram: Portraitbylarissa
• Facebook: Portraitbylarissa
• Linkedin: Portraitbylarissa
• Youtube: Portraitbylarissa

Image Credits
Self-portrait