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

Lindsay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I went full-time with my wedding photography business in 2021. I formerly worked at a local credit union while I learned everything that I could about photography and building a successful business. I really enjoyed both my job at the credit union as well as photography, but I knew long term, I wanted to be self-employed and a full-time wedding photographer. As I started building my business and client base, I got to the point where I physically could not do both anymore. I was rarely doing anything for fun, seeing my family or friends, or having a personal life, because I was constantly working. My original plan was to leave my full-time job in February of 2022, but God opened up some doors, and I went full-time a whole year earlier than I expected. While I was preparing to go full-time, I did a few in-person mentorships with other photographers, rebranded and launched a new website, invested in education, and marketed as much as I could. I really believe that investing in yourself and your business is so important before you expect clients to invest in you. Obviously, it was a scary jump going from a steady and secure paycheck and a job with great benefits, to going full-time with my business. It hasn’t always been an easy road, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Lindsay, 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’m Lindsay, a Michigan-based wedding and couples photographer! I started photography in 2016 and took my business full-time in March of 2021. I was always the girl who would walk around with the point-and-shoot camera taking pictures of anything and everything. During my senior year of high school, my parents bought me my first DSLR camera, where I started taking photos for friends and family, and really figuring out what I liked and what I was good at. I realized that I could document other people’s lives and freeze time, so I decided to market my services on Facebook. I built my business from the ground up, really focusing on how I can serve my clients and how I can help them plan the most perfect wedding. I strive to be a friend, and not just a vendor checked off the list. I deeply care about my clients and have their best interests in mind. I want to preserve their legacy, so they can cherish these moments and pass them down from generation to generation.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building brand reputation is so important! The best thing that I think a small business owner can do is to really serve their clients and get reviews from them. Word of mouth is huge in the wedding industry, so when you have a happy couple, they are going to tell all of their friends about you. And the opposite is true, if they didn’t have a great experience with you, they will be telling everyone that as well. Also, vendor connections. I try to network with as many vendors as possible, whether they are other photographers, or other vendors in the wedding industry. They have connections, and can potentially pass your name along to other people.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

In my business life, it is freezing time for my couples. Seeing all of the intimate memories relived from their wedding day in photo form. It’s something so special, and I don’t take my job for granted. It’s something tangible, and I want to take my couples right back to how they were feeling on their wedding day.

Contact Info:

• Website: lindsayelaine.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/_lindsayelaine
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsayelainephotography
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lindsay_elaine

Image Credits
Lindsay Elaine Photography LLC