Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natassia Gyger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Natassia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
The start of my business came slow and steady, but I truly believe it came to be in the perfect amount of time. I started photographing my kids when my daughter was little. It all started as a fun hobby, something to save us money because I was the mom who wanted photos of every milestone for my kids. I remember when my first son was born we were at the photographers every 3 months documenting everything. Can you tell I love photos?! When my daughter was born, I started doing the same thing and we quickly realized it was a lot harder financially to do this with 2 kids than just 1. So, this is where my story starts! I began photographing my kids and soon I had friends and family asking me to do this for them. Once I started seeing the joy on their faces when I gave them their photos it was then I knew “This is what I wanted to do”! I started off small, asking for donations, this helped me gain customers and the confidence I needed to continue moving forward. When you first start a business you mind plays games with you. You start to question if people will like your work, if it’s worth the price and how will you keep moving forward on those hard days.
It wasn’t long until I realized I needed to make it official and create an actual business. I was able to start charging clients and move up in this business. Investing in better cameras and equipment was always so exciting for me! The growth that came from each step is undeniable and I am truly grateful for each and every client from the very beginning who let me practice on their family to the clients I have today who continue to come back each year for continued family photos!
From the first day of figuring out how my camera worked, through the hard days of stress of running a business, to the joy I feel seeing the smiles on my clients faces when they get their photos is ALL worth it! I love what I get to do and the story that has come from every step.
Natassia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Natassia Gyger and I am a family photographer based out of Bluffton, SC and the surrounding areas of Hilton Head Island, Savannah, Ga and Beaufort, SC. I love to photograph families and capture the love that surrounds each of them. Each family is special and unique in so many different ways and that is my job as a photographer- to capture that family and who they are. Time goes by so quickly and before we know it our little ones are not so little any more, so my goal is to press pause on time for just a moment- so as parents we can look back on those photos and see those little hands holding yours, to see those gap toothed smiles- or maybe those milestones where your not so little kid is soon graduating and moving away. Each moment in our lives is so special and I want to create that memory for you to last a lifetime.
I am not just a photographer, but also a mom to 3 little ones as well, so I know and understand the importance of bedtimes, cranky kids, shy kids and those crazy rambunctious little ones. I take pride in being patient with each client and understanding that kids will be kids, we may not always get the perfect smile out of them, but that is what makes them who they are. I love each child I meet and I always want my clients walking away from their sessions saying how much fun they had! I know how stressful it can be leading up to a session worrying if your kids will behave and smile, so I always want my clients to relax and know I can handle it and we will always get those special photos captured.
When you book with me, I provide you with a ‘Welcome Guide’ that helps you get to know me and what to expect beforehand. This includes outfit inspiration, getting ready tips, and what happens after the session. I want my clients to be completely prepared for their session, and as always I am always available to answer questions via phone, text or email. In addition to getting to know me, I always send out a client questionnaire because it is important for me to submerse myself into their family culture. This helps me to create a relationship with my clients and their family prior to our session so I can truly capture the family dynamic and personalities with each photograph.
As a photographer I specialize in family photography, but it is so much more than that! I love to capture special moments in your life, not just a smile, but a feeling. When you look at your photos I want you to smile back on a time that is close to your heart, a time that brings you joy and happiness!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My reputation was built off on my passion for photography, my ability to submerse myself into my clients’ family dynamics, and providing a close family feel through my work. I pride my self on really setting a high standard of being personal and close to each of my clients and understanding their wants and need prior to their session so I can truly provide the most accurate representation of who they are and the love they share.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
When I first started photography I never imagined I would be where I am today. When first starting my business, my goal was to make a little extra money on the side to help pay for groceries or to take my family out for pizza on a Friday night, since then my business has grown into something I can do full time. It has truly been such a blessing to watch my business grow not only with clients but throughout the community as well! My success would not have come without the support of my clients and because of them my career has now taken off to places I never imagined! With their support I have wont ‘Best of Bluffton’, been able to travel to other states for sessions and been featured in magazine articles and flyers in premier locations
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gygerphotography.com
- Instagram: @ngygerphotography
- Facebook: @ngygerphotography