We were lucky to catch up with Sammi Cohen and Emma Rizzo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sammi & Emma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
When we were beginning to conceptualize our business, we thought of the name “Dear Blossom” to combine the ideas of both nurture and nature. We initially bonded over our love of the seasons here in Western New York and wanted a way to continue to capture them in creative ways. We also really responded to the idea of helping our clients “bloom” in front of the camera – helping them feel comfortable and confident so their natural beauty can shine through. We want to empower the people we work with and create a truly special experience, rather than a cookie cutter session that doesn’t feel personal to each client. We think of our sessions as totally collaborative and unique to each person – just like a flower in a garden.
Sammi & Emma, 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?
We first met while working as writers for a marketing firm and connected over our love of storytelling through photography. Emma’s background is in journalism and photography, while Sammi has a theatre performance degree and has blogged about vintage fashion for the last decade. Not only did we become fast friends, but we gravitate toward a lot of the same artistic themes and work really well together.
After collaborating on several photo sessions just for fun, we started daydreaming about opening a portrait studio – never thinking that it would become a reality. But we ended up finding a studio space and taking a total leap of faith.
When we first opened, we wanted to be everything to everyone. But over the last four years, we’ve really found our stride and “niched down” to offer the services we’re really passionate about. Given Sammi’s theatrical background, it’s no surprise we love working with local performers to capture dynamic and authentic headshots. We’ also love our goddess sessions, which are a more conceptual portrait package that we feel supports our mission of empowerment. Boudoir is another specialty of ours for that same reason – we believe in boudoir for every body and our goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment where our clients feel completely supported.
For many folks, photography is seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. We like to frame caring for and celebrating ourselves as vital – and our sessions are a really special way to do that.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Saying “yes” to everything. We’re both recovering people-pleasers and as new business owners, there’s an immense pressure to never turn down an opportunity. But there’s a lot of power in saying no when an opportunity isn’t a good fit or when you’re already stretched thin. Just as we want to empower our clients, we also want to make sure we feel empowered in our decision-making. We’re no longer afraid to let go of what doesn’t serve us as a business, even if it means turning down a sale.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
For us, relationship-building has been huge. We get a lot of referrals (and repeat business) from friends, family members, and former clients in our network. That support means everything to us. We also both work full-time in marketing, so we know a thing or two about SEO. We think what sets us apart, though, is our dedication to creating a safe and supportive space. Boudoir photography – and even headshots! – can feel vulnerable for a lot of people. Because we regularly put ourselves in front of the camera and help clients feel secure with our “personal hype squad” ethos, that implicit encouragement can make all the difference when prospective clients are narrowing down their options.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dearblossomstudios.com
- Instagram: @dearblossomstuios
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dearblossomstudios
- Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dear-blossom-studios
Image Credits
Dear Blossom Studios