We recently connected with Lizz Ritenour and have shared our conversation below.
Lizz , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
So it all began when I got my first DLSR camera for Christmas in 2017. For the next 2-2 1/2 years I was self teaching and taking pictures of family and friends. Things began to take a turn when I was asked to photograph my best friends proposal. There was a creative break through that occurred for me that day when I realized that I could take this beyond something casual. Being able to capture such an important, happy moment really made an impact on me. Following this, I had a few other friends ask for casual pictures of them and their partner which sparked the same feeling. At the beginning of 2020 is when I decided to take a jump: create a business and get myself out there. I shadowed a few other photographers and continued to learn through online videos and classes. I knew I would need more reliable equipment (flashes, lenses, etc.) So I was doing a variety of sessions for a small price to be able to make these purchases. I had many friends and family that supported me through the start up phase. Taking photos for them really helped me get my name out to the public. I offered low priced mini sessions as well to not only assist in networking but also as a way to practice and improve my skill set. I was eventually able to purchase my MacBook Pro and a creative cloud membership where I could develop photoshop and Lightroom skills to improve the quality of my photos. During this time, the pandemic was in full force. I am occupational therapist and working full time at a trauma center in downtown Pittsburgh. Photography and the business truly became my escape. There were so many things going on in the world during that time and I knew if I could get through the week at the hospital that I would be able to capture really special memories and happiness on the weekend.
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 Lizz Ritenour. I was a full time occupational therapist and a photographer. I am the owner of Daydream Photography. In a lot of ways, the business truly speaks for itself. My business all started from what had felt like a very distant daydream. If you tell my 22 year old self who had just received her first camera where I am now, I don’t think she would believe you. I’m very proud that I took a chance on creating this business and allowing myself to have the creative outlet I’ve always dreamed of. Daydream photography specializes in capturing memories for lovers, families, and more. I offer a variety of photo sessions including wedding services, engagements, maternity, lifestyle, family, etc. One of the main goals of my business was to provide an affordable option for photography services. When booking a session with me, you can expect a relaxed, care free environment. My style has often been described as clean, natural, bright, and airy. I want to give each of my clients an album that embraces who they are in that very moment. I try to give a classic vibe to all of my photos so when you look back 20 years from now, the photos are timeless memories that you’ll cherish for all the years to come.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth and the power of social media. With working full time as an occupational therapist, many of my initial clients were fellow co-workers at the hospital. This truly helped my business flourish. From there, they would tell friends and family or share the photos on social media which led to a new line of clients. I also shared all of my work on my personal social medias to help grow my networking field. Having interactive social media platforms and creating eye catching posts also helped gain a lot of attention to Daydream Photography.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
One of the most fulfilling things about being a photographer is when you have client loyalty, you get to follow them through their life’s milestones. Your clients are more than just customers now, they are friends. I have several customers where our journey together started with engagement photos, and have now led into birthday portraits for their children! It’s so amazing. In terms of keeping in touch with prior clients, I periodically reach out to them to catch up on life and also let them know about mini sessions or deals that I may be offering in the future. When I know that when I provide customers a comfortable, fun, easy-going environment (having your photo taken can be very nerve wracking for a lot of people) and providing them with a product that they love, I know that the continued loyalty will follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @daydream_photo_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.daydreaming?mibextid=LQQJ4d