We recently connected with Lisa Hodgkiss and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
One of the best investments Ive made in my business was surrounding myself with people doing what I wanted to do successfully and investing in their mentorship programs. Investing in myself, put simply. I learned long before I started my own business that the best thing someone can do for themselves is humble themselves and know that you can learn from every single person you come across. The mentors I have worked with over the years helped me shift my mindset to a more productive and abundant mindset that attracts clients that value my skills, time, and expertise. These mentors have taught me to show up as my authentic self in my business and in turn that attracts the clients I want to work with. These mentors were doing what I wanted to do. They were hosting gorgeous photography retreats in beautiful locations all over the world, connecting with people who had incredible stories to share, and giving back to the world in amazing ways through charitable contributions, and their own time and professional resources. They were building a life they loved, a legacy for others to take part in, and all before they were 40 years old. One mentor had met a beautiful soul of a man while on vacation and had continued to help fund his family’s and village’s emergency needs for years. At one point she had shared that one family in his village had endured years of unimaginable suffering that tore at my heart. She shared this story with updates on this family on her platforms. The outpouring of support her community generated for this family in another country was astounding. This wonderful human simply shared a story that meant so much to her with her community and that in turn helped turn this family’s entire life around. But she wouldn’t have been able to do that if she hadn’t been her authentic self. She wouldn’t have built the community she had if she hadn’t shown up as her true self and share that with the world. That was what I wanted to do. Years ago, I knew if I wanted to be a successful artist, I needed to think bigger than just the dollar. I needed to think about the impact my work would have on other people’s lives and what I could do to give back to the world on a grand scale. When I partnered with my first mentor she made me dig deep into my intentions. She had me ask myself, why am I doing this? If money was no issue, what would I love to give back to the world? From those foundational questions, I was able to gain clarity into my life’s purpose. I realized I wanted to help women change their view of themselves, to fall in love with themselves no matter what season of life they were currently in. I wanted to be a monetary resource for organizations that aligned with topics that had meaning to me. For example, 10% of my studio’s profits are donated to organizations that help rescue people from s*x trafficking and organizations that partner with local law enforcement to crack down on child predators. I collaborate with professionals that align with s*xual health and wellness – to help fight the shameful stigma that often surrounds s*x and the human body.
Through these experiences, I have gained even more compassion and empathy as well as the ability to listen and provide a platform for others’ stories to be heard.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Lisa Hodgkiss and I own and operate Southern Charm Creative, a boudoir and beauty portrait and videography studio based in Northeast Florida where I help everyday women unleash their fierce goddess within. I grew up in the South Florida talent industry where I had first hand knowledge of what it was like to be a young female model working in an industry that placed toxic beauty standards above health and wellness. At the same time, I knew everyday women wanted to look like the models they saw in all of the magazines, but had no idea how toxic the talent industry could be to their mental wellness. Tack on the fact that, not everyone wants to be a professional model just to have some beautiful photos to look back on. As I entered my twenties, I had many friends that wanted that “supermodel experience” thanks to America’s Next Top Model, but there weren’t many fashion photographers out there that would work with your everyday woman – simply because the demand to work with average clients wasn’t there yet. They were more focused on the fashion industry’s demand for their expertise and skill. Little did I realize at the time, there was a collective consciousness beginning to take place wherein portrait photographers were starting to reinvent the “glamour style” photos from the 80’s and 90’s into what we now call boudoir photography. In the early 2000’s, portrait photographers in their twenties wanted to bring back those glamour styled photos but add a fresh edgy, sultry spin to it without coming off as vulgar or X-rated. Recognizing that there was both a demand for this type of photography from speaking to my own friends that wanted those beautiful, sultry photos you saw in magazines like Maxim, and knowing how to use a DSLR camera, I set out to create my portrait business. However, I didn’t want to bring the toxic beauty standards from the fashion industry into my business. So I set out to align myself with mentors and other professional portrait photographers that were also looking to fight back the toxic beauty standards we were seeing in the media. Through education, reading, and mentorship I created my business to focus first on creating an experience where all body types could experience an amazing boudoir portrait experience without feeling like they had to “earn it” by meeting certain beauty standards. I wanted to meet the women where they were right now in their body love journey. I wanted to educate my audience on the fact that all bodies are beautiful and worthy of being documented no matter what season of life they were in. One of my biggest inspirations has been Teri Hofford and all that she embodies as a body positivity coach and educator. I had to essentially forget everything I knew about the fashion industry’s toxic beauty standards and it was the best thing I ever did for my own mental health and my business. The journey of running a photography business was also a personal journey for me to learn how to actually love myself too.
Today, I work with incredible everyday women creating gorgeous images and artwork that they will get to look back on for the rest of their life. The confidence boost my clients experience from my boudoir sessions is incredible, especially since you can see the happiness in the images. At one point in my life, I stopped looking at myself in the mirror, not realizing that some of my own clients were going through that as well. These images give them something to feel, to be seen and validated. The reactions I get from my clients during the in-person reveal sessions can go from hysterical laughing, and screaming in excitement that the image they see in front of them is really them to crying tears of happiness because it’s the very first time they saw an image of themselves that they actually loved. Showing someone that they are amazing just the way they are right now, is one of the best gifts I could give to someone. My clients are not just a number of photoshoots, they are real people going through real struggles to love themselves and they often become lifelong repeat customers and great friends. Some of my clients have shared secrets with me they haven’t shared with anyone else simply because of how my team and I make them feel during their experience with us. I have clients who come to me who are going through happy times and sad times. Ive had clients who are going through a divorce, or struggling to accept their new body after a baby, or about to go through chemotherapy treatment, or celebrating turning 60 and feeling fierce and I am here for it. I am their cheerleader and it’s the best job in the world.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creative journey is to meet people where they are right now in their quest to love themselves more. I want to work with clients who are on a personal journey of self-love or body acceptance. I want to be that stepping stone for them along their journey, and to provide them with an experience that will help them see how beautiful they are, no matter what season of life they are in. That they can love themselves at 200lbs just as much as they can at 140lbs or that they can love themselves post-double mastectomy just as much as they did before their cancer diagnosis altered their whole world. No matter what season of life they are in, they are worthy of being documented, their stories are important and they do matter.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I keep in touch with clients through my email newsletter, social media, platforms, and customer loyalty program. I have emails that go out every week on topics that range from motivation and inspiration to behind-the-scenes shots from recent photoshoots with clients. I love my clients and many often become repeat clients because I am constantly switching up the studio sets, and offering great ways for clients to get new images and artwork each time they come to my studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southerncharmcreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerncharmcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerncharmcreative
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnrwiDa9HT788IlJ_zzA0Af
Image Credits
All images shot by me. Photo of myself was shot by Josie P. Photography.