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

Michelle , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

This question intrigues me quite a bit because I want to say, I absolutely do wish I would ave started my business sooner – but I think I’m a lot more effective now as a business owner because of the path I took to get here.

I went to college straight out of high school and got a Bachelors degree in Fine Art focusing on photography. I went in bright eyed and ready to take on the world and somewhere between when I started and my senior year, I realized I knew a lot about photography but I knew very little about owning a business. I was so scared of being a starving artist, that I decided to take my life in a completely different direction, towards a more “stable” job.

I got my master’s degree in Counseling and Higher Education and worked in the University setting for about 5 years before realizing how miserable I was. I realized I had stopped creating all together. As soon as I picked my camera back up, I felt like I came back home to myself again. There was no way I could let photography go again. I started shooting for free and worked my way up to paid sessions. It didn’t take long before I realized I was making almost as much in my side hustle as I was in my full time job.

I wrestled seriously for about 2 years before I made the commitment to jump and do photography full time -but I am so glad that I did. While I wish that I would have started my business sooner, I am a better business owner because I took my time building my business. I got 2 certificates, one in Organizational Coaching/Adult Development, and one in Entrepreneurship all while balancing my growing business and working full time. That time juggling everything prepared me quite a bit for the work I do now. I also feel as though my master’s in counseling background helps tremendously with my client experience and how I relate to people.

Had I tried to start my photography business straight out of my undergraduate program, I don’t know that I would have succeeded in the same way. I cherish this path a lot more now because it took a long time to build a new mindset that is required for being my own boss. I have more courage now that I’m older and have more life experience to make financial decisions that have been beneficial for my business. When it all comes down to it, the only regret I have is not believing in myself sooner. The rest fell into place at the right time.

Michelle , 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?

My business is not just me, it is a growing partnership between my husband and I so I want to speak a little into both of our journeys to get here. I started doing photography in middle school as a hobby, I studied art / photography in college, and as mentioned earlier struggled quite a bit with imposter syndrome and the fear of being a starving artist. Once I really worked through that and found the courage to charge what I feel I’m worth – 14 years later – my business actually came together a lot easier than expected.

My husband has been flying remote control airplanes for nearly 20 years – he started as a little boy with his father as a hobby. When the remote control industry start putting out drones it was a natural fit for him to try out so he’s been building his own drones and flying them for about 8 years. He is in a unique transition of getting out of the Air Force while wondering what he was planning on doing next. It was a perfect opportunity for him to put some cameras on his drones branch out the video side of our business, which is exactly what we are working on now.

We provide photography, aerial photography, handheld video, as well as drone video for a variety of different clients. Our biggest focus is on weddings because we are those hopeless romantics that get so happy being around people in love. We are now expanding to take on small business branding events and commercial work.

Our business practices center around our client experience and being present in the moment. We know that life is a lot more magical when we are not worried about everything around us are just simply enjoying the present moment. We try really hard to create a space for our clients to enjoy their experience with us because it will reflect in the photos if they are not enjoying it. We are intentional with the way we show up and speak to our clients because it does make a big difference in the way they show up in front of the camera. We know it can be nerve wracking so getting people comfortable is our first goal, after that it’s to have as much fun as possible documenting what’s currently in front of us. Whether it’s a wedding day, or a branding shoot, we are responsible for capturing people authentically and sharing their story in a way that represents them well. We are honored we get to do this work.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish that I knew more entrepreneurs earlier on in my journey. I did not realize how powerful the internet is and how it can bring so many people together. I was not aware of the amount of coaches and workshops available to teach you anything you need to know, I always assumed you needed to spend thousands or dollars or go get a degree.

There’s one resource in Columbus, Georgia particularly that has been the biggest game changer for our business that I want to highlight. It’s called StartUP Columbus and it’s an entrepreneurial support program to help people get their ideas from the design phase all the way to execution. They have a 12 week certificate program that both me and my husband have done that helped us solidify our plan and execute more efficiently. They also have an incubator program to give new and growing businesses desk and office space with no overhead fees to get them started. I am currently in the incubator program now and being surrounded by other likeminded individuals all day and having mentors that are right there in the building with me has made me feel so safe and secure in my business. It is the exact support I needed to thrive. The best part is that its part of a larger national organization that has these programs in many big cities across the US.

Since starting with this program our business has reached a point where we are outsourcing and hiring on associate team members to help us. It’s been kind of scary to grow at the rate we are, but I know we have the support we need to make it happen.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I could probably write a book about this but I’ll keep it as brief as possible. We are most passionate about two things, big love, and big dreams. Big love for us means documenting couples, engagements, weddings, and elopements. There is something profound about the gift of love and it translates so beautifully to a camera. I love that every couple we get the chance to document falls more in love with their spouse after looking at their photos from the day. Big dreams means that we love helping other entrepreneurs. It takes an incredible amount of courage to chase your dreams and being there hyping up other businesses and helping them create images and videos that represent their brand well, is the best feeling.

There is also something incredibly special about being in the present moment. There is so much magic that exists in life if we can slow down enough to see it. For me, photography forces me to slow down and be hyper focused on how incredible this life is. I also think that photography comes with a lot of opportunities to connect with people on a more intimate level than other forms of art. The people who I get the honor and privilege to photograph are the art and it’s my job to help them see how unique and amazing they are. Whether it’s a wedding day, a family session, or a business branding opportunity, helping people see the magic that exists in their own life is the most rewarding part of being an artist to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cirrusgoldcreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cirrusgoldcreativecompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cirrusgoldcreativecompany
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtMqwIsJ-gBiKyA75nzqvIw

Image Credits
Photos taken by Cirrus Gold Creative Company, Chloe Butler Photography, & Hannah London Visuals