We recently connected with Nell LaPaze and have shared our conversation below.

Nell, appreciate you joining us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

When I was first starting out as a photographer, 95% of the work I produced I did completely for free. Most of that work was newborn photography so I was also investing a lot of money into props and swaddles for each session. Before going solo, I served as a newborn photographer in local hospitals and received training on how to work with both newborns but also their family. I knew I wanted to incorporate some of the workflow that I learned during that time but also wanted to establish my own style. Offering complementary sessions allowed for both the chance to build my portfolio but also establish a network of clients right from the jump. I don’t think I photographed a single “free” session that didn’t result in actually being booked by that family again. I got a lot of pushback from friends and family about this type of approach, but by valuing building relationships over making money back, it resulted in a friendship and loyalty from those clients.

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

For each session, no matter what type, I strive to build an actual relationship with that client. I never go into our time blind. I look for ways to connect with them on their terms as well as sending them an actual questionnaire before our session. If they hate having their picture taken, I want to know as that will change my approach day of. If they’ve been looking forward to their senior session and love being in front of the camera, I’m there to be their hype woman. It’s never a one size fits all situation. Meeting my clients where they’re at by getting to know them beforehand helps all parties be on the same page, as well as setting expectations. I think what’s helped build my reputation as a photographer is the relational approach I take, so people leave their sessions feeling confident, taken care of and like they made a new friend.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I definitely don’t think non-creatives understand how much time goes into the session outside of the session itself. This is particularly true with weddings and is actually the reason I won’t shoot them for people I don’t know. As a wedding photographer you also often play the role of day of coordinator, mediator, hype woman, problem solver, and that’s just day of! I had a friend ask me the morning after a wedding I photographed if I was done with the pictures and I’m pretty sure I laughed in his face haha. I think people underestimate how time consuming the editing process is and how its not a copy and paste situation, and that’s true for any other type of session!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://nell-margaret-photography-1.showit.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nellmargaretphotography_/