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

Michelle , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

LouAllen Creations originated from the memory of my late father; who was also a photographer. My mom always called me “Lou” and my dad name is Allen. The name has always been with me for years before I started taking photography serious. I use to the draw the name of LouAllen in my journal repeatedly and I would say to myself that ” this is it “.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Michelle Douglas born and raised in Columbia, SC. In 2011, I decided to move to Charlotte, NC to attend Johnson & Wales University to pursue a passion for fashion design.

That passion will never be lost; along with being an abstract painter. Over the years, this burning desire for photography was screaming to come out. So I decided to take that leap and go for it.
I realized I’ve always had a passion for taking creative pictures and capturing moments. LouAllen Creations was created and founded in May 2021; in memory of my late father Allen Kirk Douglas who was also a photographer.

Of course, there’re always obstacles and struggles that anyone would face when starting their own business from scratch, and going for something they’re truly passionate about. I would have to say staying positive and having clarity on this journey has been a learning experience. Especially when making the bare minimum with a 9 to 5 job, investing in myself and my business has been one of the hardest challenges I’ve encountered.

I feel like being a freelance photographer kind of sets for apart from others. I’ve always had a creative mind and soul since I could remember, and maybe carried over from my past lives . I really enjoy just taking photos and capturing the moment of the beauty of life.

In the future I see myself having my own studio; where I can fully commit to the things my heart desires and just to creative. rather if that’s designing and sewing clothes, making dope paintings, and creating and building prompts for a photoshoot.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Just putting myself out there and not letting fear get in my way. Introducing myself as my business, and letting people really see my passion.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I decided to just put myself to there. So I got over 500 business cards and just started handing them out to strangers. I can say most of my followers on my social media are people I really don’t know, but encountered just randomly. I love telling people how beautiful they’re and telling them Im a photographer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louallencreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouAllenCreations/