We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Margot Daley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Margot , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
The first time I picked up a camera was to learn a different skill to help me in my career as a TV producer. I wanted to learn how to shoot videos to film pitches, etc, and I got a camera. But the first time I flipped the switch to photo mode, I was hooked! I started taking headshots of fellow TV producer colleauges, and they loved them! When I thought of this as a side business, I said I’d do this for free for a whole year before I ever charged anyone a dime to build my confidence. My first client was a TV colleague looking for family photos and asked me to charge her more than I asked. Things spread by word of mouth, and I was in business!
Margot , 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 a Personal Brand Photographer/Videographer for entrepreneurs and small business owners. I help my clients with non-boring images to build their websites and start showing up online beyond a stiff profile headshot.
I’ve spent 30 years as a freelance TV producer and director, working on countless shows for CBC and HGVT. I loved the creativity of it and being able to interact with real people and guide them on camera, but I was never the one doing the technical part of filming or editing what they said; I could tell my cinematographer or editor what parts to film or edit out but had no idea how they did it.
I now love being in control to plan a session (like the producer). Shoot it (like the cinematographer) edit photos and videos (like my TV editor), and deliver it to the client without having to go through layers of approval anymore.
I’ve been straddling both worlds for a few years and am ready to go all-in with my brand photography business, Margot Daley Photography. www.margotdaley.com
I think my TV background is really an advantage in that I’m used to coming up with new creative ideas, and the basic principles of what makes a good image, frame, interview, and background really apply. Best of all, I’m good with people, incredibly nervous ones! I spent years helping regular folks be calm and relaxed when the blinking red light goes on the TV camera at the start of an interview, and people want to freak out! I know how to distract, discourage and disarm clients with jokes. I call myself a camera whisperer:)
My goal with my brand photos /videos is for my clients to love their pictures and feel proud to share their websites with everyone. My vibe is lifestyle-inspired images that feel modern and, most importantly, truly, authentically feel like them.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
At the beginning of my photography, I happily shot everything: families, babies, events, fashion portraits, etc. But I followed the best advice about niching down!
But I wanted to be known as a Personal Brand Photographer specializing in just personal brand photography/video only. It was quite scary because I don’t hate shooting other things, but I saw the value of trying to be the go-to specialist. It also makes marketing easier. I know exactly who I am targeting and talking to.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
#1 is word-of-mouth referrals are my #1 tool, but sharing on social media 4- 5 times a week has also paid off.
I know others hate it, but I love creating content. Blame it on my background, but I have fun creating Reels, videos, voice-over videos, talking directly to the camera, sharing motivational quotes, blog posts, etc. I always have a million ideas on my phone at one time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://margotdaley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margotdaleyphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margotdaleyphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-daley-1414b19/
Image Credits
Professional headshot of me in Pink holding the camera and in white shooting on a stool, by photographer Diana Renelli. Professional client images are by me, Margot Daley.