We were lucky to catch up with Roshan Spottsville recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Roshan, thanks for 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’ve wondered where I would be if I had started pursuing photography earlier. I remember several instances growing up where I would tell people I wanted to be a photographer and I was always told something along the lines of “That’s a hobby, not a career!” When you hear something enough, you start to believe it. I worked in several different positions over the years and always felt out of my element. It wasn’t until 2010, that I started to learn photography on a “real” camera and slowly started building my business. It was a slow growth. I worked full-time and did my photoshoots in my spare time. In 2020, I left my job to pursue photography full-time. It was a harsh transition in some ways because I didn’t just do photoshoots and edit anymore, I had to learn bookkeeping, marketing and more. Over the past 3 years, I’ve improved my work/life balance, streamlined my processes, and improved my craft. In the long run, I guess I am where I am because that’s where I’m supposed to be.

Roshan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Roshan Spottsville and I am the Owner & Photographer of Photography by Roshan. My company is a Native American/Navajo-Owned, Woman-Owned small business based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2010, I started my company as a side-gig. I took photos of everyone I could to learn how to use my camera. I ran my business part-time until November 2020, when I left my full-time government job to pursue photography full-time. I currently specialize in Brand photography, however, I do provide portrait photography for families as well such as Graduation, Engagement, Maternity and Family Portraits.

I have always been passionate about the empowerment of women and supporting small businesses. This led me to transitioning to a Brand Photographer. I love that I can work with other women to create beautiful portraits to help tell the story of their small business. I’ve met so many amazing women through these sessions. There’s something so fulfilling to me that my job is to help capture portraits of my clients that shows them at their best and supports their business at the same time.

As a photographer, I am experienced in various lighting techniques. Since, I try to custom tailor each session to my clients, this experience helps me create portraits that make their vision become reality. I believe that each brand session should be as unique as each client and their business. The goal of Brand Photography is creating visuals that help your stand out, not blend in with everyone else.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is knowing that my clients are trusting me to document and preserve the important chapters of their brand or family story. I personally love looking at old photos and I love that I am able to provide this for my clients. What an honor that years from now, they’ll be able to look back on these portraits and share them with the next generations. Saving moments in time, it’s kind of like my super power.

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.

Being a creative business owner, although it’s so fulfilling for me, is usually underestimated. Because I am so passionate about what I do, people seem to think that I should be willing to work for free or very little pay. Although I enjoy it, I have invested so much time, money and energy to be able to able to provide the services that I do. There’s so much that is required in perfecting your craft, purchasing equipment, and running a business that isn’t understood by most people. A common question that I get is “Why do you charge so much for a 1 hour session?” I have to explain that there is prep work that happens before your session such as administrative work, scouting locations, loading/unloading gear. After your session, there’s more administrative work, culling photos, preparing proofs, editing and delivering the final product. Each of those tasks take time, energy and money to accomplish and we have to make sure they are covered in our fee along with the time & talent required to complete your session.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://photographybyroshan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybyroshan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photogroshan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/photogroshan/

Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: 2023 Anneke Marie Photography