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

Naomi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I never thought much about “legacy” until I started seeing repeat clients in my photography business. I grew up in a modest home in a small town with very content parents. Family meant a lot, but the word “legacy” almost felt too big for someone like me. Like, who would know or care who I was generations from now?

But having taken family photos for people for over a decade now, I realize I might be making a bigger impact than I planned. Because even if you don’t know all your relatives and ancestors, what do you do to learn about them? To remember them? Looking at photos is usually one of the first ways. So as much as the photos I’m taking mean to that family at this point in time, they may be seen a hundred years from now, too. It’s an honor to feel like you’re capturing a piece this family’s history.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

People love photos (even if they don’t love photos of themselves) for many different reasons: You want to capture your kids at this stage because they won’t be this little forever. Or because photo albums provide a way to bond with grandparents as they share stories. Plus, some studies show that children develop a better sense of self-esteem when there are photos on display in the home that show the child with their parents. And how many times don’t we look back on pictures of ourselves and think, ‘Wow, I looked better than I thought I did back then!’?

But I get that the very thought of getting the whole family styled perfectly and enthused about a portrait session—let alone smiling at the camera, all at the same time—is stressful. That’s why during my sessions we prioritize play over posing and authenticity over urgency.

I’ve always had a cinematic eye, and I graduated from film school. But I wanted to make photographs that feel real, beautiful and accessible to anyone—without a bunch of fuss. I have a daughter, so I know how much effort it takes to bribe toddlers to smile for the camera. I know my clients’ time is valuable. That’s one reason I put prices right out front on my website. Many photographers don’t do that, but I’ve received great feedback from busy moms who are appreciative that we could save time on that back-and-forth.

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

I’ve had to unlearn perfectionism to a degree. I’m my own worst critic, and the fact is, I won’t take a perfect picture all of the time. But if I deliver images that show the client at their best and most authentic, that’s what they’ll love. It’s a gift I can give them that maybe no one else ever has.

I have countless examples of galleries I felt weren’t my “best” but my clients were over the moon about. They don’t know or care what my shutter speed was. So while perfectionism can be a super power as a photographer, I try to stay out of my own way, too.

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

For my first five years or so, repeat clients and referrals were my biggest source of business. But in the past couple years, SEO (search engine optimization) has been a game-changer for me. I’ve got more leads discovering me on Google now than I can keep up with booking! I’m super grateful to do SEO as part of my full-time job, and I’ve been able to implement those practices in my website copy and strategy. Investing in SEO is a must for photographers, in my opinion.

Contact Info:

• Website: nashvillefamilyphotos.com
• Instagram: @nashvillefamilyphotos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nashvillefamilyphotos/