We recently connected with Rose Groves and have shared our conversation below.
Rose, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?
Prior to starting my own business, I worked in international diplomacy and foreign affairs. Quite the jump to photography in some respects, but hey, that’s kind of how life works and I am happier now for it. One of the most invaluable skills I learned in the world in foreign affairs is flexibility and effective communication. I was constantly interacting with people from all kinds of backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic levels and ages. Working among people of such diverse cultures was and is critical to my soft skills now as a business owner because I understand the importance of strong communication. Whether it is communicating your elopement plan and crafting an effective timeline for the day, correspondence with insurance, taxes or registration, or even just being personable to whomever I meet on the road, it is so important to know your own voice enough to represent yourself fully. Honestly outside my skills as a creative I would say that it is the most important skill I have gained both personally and professionally.
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
My name is Rose and I am an adventure elopement and intimate wedding photographer. I work predominately out of Colorado and Alaska, honing a particular obsession with the mountains, but in the end there is no road off limits to where I would go! I was raised overseas, and ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by photos and stories. I think a big part of my inspiration and value base as a photographer is out of adventure. My parents raised myself and my two siblings with a lust for life and nursed an unending curiosity for how the world works. I have taken these experiences and values from my childhood and translated them into a business that thrives on authentic, wild in love photography.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I have always loved learning. Homework maybe less so, but the idea of listening to an expert teach me things about the world has always been welcome. I think it’s a sense of curiosity about how things work, and work together, that has always compelled me to know more. When I started my business I had no real idea of what ‘running a business’ actually entails. I love taking photos, I was certain some sort of legal component existed, and that I needed a place to display my portfolio – so I watched youtube videos, joined facebook groups, and asked some creative friends how to put together a website.
It wasn’t until after I had my first couple paid bookings that I realized how much more this business could be. I had questions on where to start, but the resources I once resorted to just weren’t cutting it. During quarantine I spent time reading, and the overwhelming advice I heard from successful business people of all backgrounds was the need to hire a mentor. Scary. Pay someone to tell me what to do? I was hesitant, and took over 6 months to find the ideal person that had the time, answers, and care to work with. Overwhelmingly I will say that the resources a mentor provided me have been critical in my business. Moreover the greater lesson is being confident enough to ask for help.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
In Colorado there are a lot of photographers. The creative community in this state is tremendous, and it is awesome to be surrounded by such magnificent art. Colorado is also unique in that it is a self-solemizing state. This essentially means that you can marry yourself (no officiant needed!). Combine that with breathtaking mountains, alpine lakes and thousands of trail heads and your in for real elopement treat. However there in lies the trick – how to distinguish yourself.
While I lean on being born in Kenya as a unique attribute, I simply cant take credit for that. Mom and dad are the real champs there, and I owe it to them for giving me that. However what I can take credit for are my decisions in the aftermath of that moment. From the time I left for college from Denver to the time I settled back in Denver as an adult, I intentionally sought out the world. I worked as a photographer in South Korea documenting ancient temples, food and festivals, I went to graduate school for International Economics and lived in Brussels while working for the EU on foreign policy. I spent time in Bosnia and South Africa interacting with local communities, listening to their stories of overcoming challenges both politically and economically, and I used my images to weave that narrative into published stories. Like all of us, what makes us unique isn’t necessarily our job or our dogs or the cars we drive, but it is the life we have crafted and our stories that make us who we are. Working with me is a culmination of these experiences – it is a manifestation of how I see your world and tell your story through photos.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://matlaiphotography.com
- Instagram: @matlai_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatlaiPhotography
Image Credits
All my photos