We recently connected with Malachi Lewis and have shared our conversation below.
Malachi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
As a business owner, a lot of times I wonder if it would just be easier to work for someone else. Someone else to worry about things, someone else to do the bulk of the taxes and business licenses. There is a lot that goes into being a business owner, I just want all the tasks and the to do list to disappear or just be easier! From filing taxes, renewing your LLC, figuring out what city/county/state business licenses there are, learning about sales tax law in areas I work, and I could go on! But when I get to set my own schedule, do the amazing and such personalized work with each and every client, and I have the authority to make all the own decisions in my own business, it really is freeing. I truly love the freedom I have throughout my life with owning a business. I can choose to work in certain areas or work the hours I want. I can offer services that are best for me or my clients and being the decision maker can be challenging but also rewarding. Being a business owner, and especially a small business owner without the support of more employees is a challenge but also so rewarding!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a photographer and I specialize in adventure elopements and intimate outdoor weddings. I have been a photographer for years and first got into photography when I was quite young and actually did quite a bit of learning through film photography starting when I was just around 5 years old. So I almost can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a camera in my hands! I first started on landscape and nature photography, then I learned more about portrait and wedding photography. Eventually I sort of combined my skills of landscapes and wedding photography to do elopement photography and outdoor weddings. As someone who specializes in these types of events, I also include planning assistance for couples. Couples usually aren’t sure of the best locations, how to leave no trace while getting married outside, what permits are required for places like national parks, and how to plan out the best times for lighting or hiking times. I really enjoy photographing the joy that couples experience during their wedding days and my colorful photography style really captures that. I am a traveling wedding and elopement photographer who offers bold and colorful photography—based on my outdoor experience with all sorts of adventures, my love for all things nature, and the joy that every couple should experience— for chill, go with the flow couples because their wedding day should be one of the most joyful days they experience and their photos should reflect that.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Growing up, I loved photography but the only photographers I was ever exposed to were things like National Geographic photographers or other famous or semi-famous people who were photographers. National Geographic photographers were actually a large influence on my current photography and editing style. It wasn’t until I was in my late teens that I thought of actually trying to become a photographer as a profession and for years I ran a photography business as a side hustle and as a supplement to many jobs I had over the years. I thought I knew what marketing was just by having a website and posting on social media and going after whoever might hire me. What really helped me was learning much more in depth about what marketing strategy really is and how to specialize and how specializing can really help you narrow down your brand messaging to attract the people you really want to work with.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I have always had a mindset of community over competition and that a rising tide raises all boats. Some of my best friends are also photographers that specialize in similar lines of work and technically they are also competitors. I’ve always tried to be very helpful of other people and other photographers. As a result, I have built great relationships with other photographers as well as other wedding vendors which has resulted in referrals and great references from the friends I have made within the wedding and elopement industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shellcreekphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellcreekphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellcreekphoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellcreekphoto/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shellcreekphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shellcreekphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shell-creek-photography-montrose
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shellcreekphoto https://www.reddit.com/user/shellcreekphoto
Image Credits
Photo credit goes to Shell Creek Photography www.shellcreekphoto.com