We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mindy Whetsel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mindy , appreciate you joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I started my business in February of 2023. At the time, I was a stay at home mom who was kind of losing who she was. My kids are everything to me, but I wanted another purposeful job. I have always loved photography, but I really dove into it around 2013 after moving to a new state. I fell in love with it pretty fast, took classes, and started really learning how to use my camera. My first subjects were landscapes and my cats (who were my kids, at the time). Over time, I became better and had always dreamed of starting a business, but never quite felt like I was good enough or that it would actually go anywhere. I had a lot people in my corner saying I should start something, but you know, life happens. Jobs, multiple cross country moves, infertility, finally babies, COVID, and loss. I never felt like the time was right. In 2020 I lost my mother-in-law, Hannah, who was one of my biggest cheerleaders (and told everyone I was a photographer well before I actually was), and that loss just set something off in me. I realized that life was too short to not pursue your dreams because you’re scared or fear you aren’t good enough. Being only a couple of years in, I wish I would have started sooner because I truly love what I do. I’ve met some incredible people along the way and this job has made me feel like me again. However, I think that things fall into place when they are meant to and right now, I feel like my business started when it was supposed to and is exactly where it needs to be.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have always been fascinated with photography! I grew up in the 90s so my first camera was a Polaroid One Step 600 that my grandparents had, then in high school my parents bought me a Sony point and shoot camera for Christmas. I used it to photograph flowers, landscapes, and people. After graduating college in 2013, my husband and I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where I knew no one and hadn’t started my job yet, so I needed something to do. We bought my first DSLR camera and it just took off from there. I signed up for some classes on how to use the camera manually and it just clicked (pun intended). After spending so many years practicing and going through certain things in my life, I decided to chase my dream and start a business.

I am photographer based in Indianapolis, IN, but I will literally travel anywhere to capture special moments. I typically photograph families, weddings, couples, maternity, and events. I like to describe my style as warm, modern, and authentic. I think what sets me apart from others is that I want to grow with you. What I mean by that is I want to photograph your engagement, your wedding, your maternity photos, your newborn photos, your family photos, and anything in between. I don’t want this to be just a business transaction. I truly want to connect with you, become your friend, and cheer you on in all aspects of your life!

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

I think the most effective strategy for growing my clientele was to first and foremost figure out who that clientele is. I had to think about what kind clients I want to attract. So when building my business and advertising I try to speak to or solve problems for the clients I want to work with. I think posting daily (or often) on social media and keeping my website current help too. When I do post, I try to post things that I enjoy and are genuine to who I am, not just trends. I think our current and future clients want to see who we actually are! I would say the best strategy is to provide excellent service and utilize my current clients, and their word of mouth referrals. It may sound cliche, but I have the best clients and they help me grow every year, just by recommending me!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Imposter syndrome & comparison, hands down.

I have a BS in Public Health Promotion and a M.Ed in Adult Education & Training. Before I dove head first into photography, I was working with cancer patients and spending time doing health education. I loved it and I still do, but it ultimately didn’t end up being the career I chose. When I started having those initial thoughts of running my own photography business, I just knew I was out of my league. I didn’t go to school to become a photographer. I didn’t belong. I saw other photographers and their work, and knew there was no way I’d ever be able to compare. That first year of business was the absolute hardest year for me. All I did was compare how booked up other photographers were to how empty my books were, how their photos were “better” than mine, how their social media presence was ten times more engaging than mine, etc. I convinced myself that I was never going to be good enough, busy enough, or feel like I belonged. I made an Instagram story about it at the beginning of 2024 and I had so many photographers reach out and tell me they felt the same exact way, and some of them had been in business 5 plus years at that point. I hated that we all felt that way, but it was comforting not to feel alone. Let me tell you, these beautiful humans talked me out of the trenches. A message from my dear friend and fellow photographer, Kayla, stuck with me and she told me that I can’t compare my year 1 to someone’s 5, 10, or 20. Moving forward, I’ve been focused on my business. No more comparing or feeling like there’s no space for me in the photography community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mwhetselphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwhetselphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwhetselphoto

Image Credits

Mindy Whetsel Photography LLC