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

Megan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

I love this question! I’ve been a photographer professionally for 6 years, but have been photographing since dark rooms and film. I continuously hear “you get what you pay for”. I follow a lot of other brilliant and successful photographers who charge thousands for their work, and that’s incredible, to them my hat is off.

However, you get what you pay for is not that standard. When I started my business I wanted everyone to have access to great memories, and a photography service that didn’t require their savings account or a payment plan.

Of course costs rise with the economy, new tax laws come into play and my prices have raised over the years, but if you can believe it, 30% of my start up costs are all they have gone up. In our industry my prices would be considered “junk product pricing”. If you see the product though, it is far from that.

I believe, if we want to, we can always provide affordability in our crafts and small businesses. No one should have to miss out on their babies newborn photos or their graduates senior pictures because of cost.

You get what you pay for, yes sometimes that is true. However, in small business I would encourage the consumer to pay for the person. What is that business owners goal? What do they promise in their service? The most wonderful think about small business is that there is in fact a face to it, a person you can meet. Believe me, some of us are in this for the art, the people, and the heart of it all.

Megan , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started taking nature photos sometime around 10 years old. It calmed me, almost was an outlet. That developed into high school classes, learning to photograph people and architecture. From there, it was almost a full-time hobby! I loved everything about it. When the shift from film to digital came, I had to learn even more.

I was working as a medical assistant when I became pregnant with my twins. After a long infertility journey I was high risk and would need to quit. After they came along my husband encouraged me to try my hand at starting a business with my photography.

I did, and here I am 6 years later steadily booked and getting to do something I truly love. It’s allowed me to enjoy my work, expand my skills, but also be with my kids and continue to focus on my military career. It’s also given me a path for after retirement, I’m not far away from 20 years in the service.

Starting this I didn’t realize the impact it would have on my own life as well as others. We get to be a part of so much. Weddings, births, celebrations, even grief. Our photos reach places in the heart. I learned even more a few years ago I expanded into Boudoir Photography. That has truly been a sense of pride. I’ve watched so many, mostly women rediscover themselves through the art. Tears and toasts have been shared. Mostly, I’ve made some incredible friendships with these women. Leave people better then you found them, that’s always been my motto, I truly get to do that everyday in this business.

My clients will tell you I’m adorable, fast, and never non-responsive. They will also tell you, they are sold on the experience. We always have fun! There will never be a session that doesn’t include laughter and my authentic self. Photos can be stressful for a client, I think what I provide is an environment, and experience that people look forward to, they get excited about. It doesn’t matter if it’s family photos or couples boudoir, you’re going to get all of me and leave smiling.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Never underestimate the power of social media. We all have a love/hate relationship. However, let your clients friend request you. When they get a glimpse into your personal life, they feel connected and they feel loyal to you and your brand. The bonus is that you get to learn about them, and it honestly helps before your next encounter to cater the experience to what makes them comfortable. We don’t have to have ridged lines all the time.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Another question I love! I have run into so many people, even friends over the years who see my work as a joke, as a hobby. Some think with growing technology it’s a waste of time and talent. Anyone can do it. Others see it as a dead end, something you cannot sustain on.

To anyone who doesn’t understand it, that’s okay, you don’t have to. I would challenge them to think about how far art reaches, what it means for our world. Any artist must have talent, but above that, we have a dedication that is unmatched. It’s not easy at first to make it in the arts, and I have seen so many let it beat them. Photography is a competitive business, you not only have to be good, and never stop learning, but you have to set yourself apart to succeed. Artist have to be unique while also being a community, we have to build trust within each other and be willing to share our skills as well. Not to mention marketing, business management, sales, customer service, oh and then you can actually do your work.

Artist have to be versed in it all, we are here grinding just as hard as everyone else, we just do it more colorfully!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Footesphotography
• Facebook: Foote’s Photography & North Star Boudoir