We were lucky to catch up with Savannah Stohler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Savannah, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I think every business owner thinks about what it would be like to have a regular job but I couldn’t be happier as a business owner. Last time I had this thought I had some financial problems and wondered if it would just be simpler to have a regular job. Then I realize how much I love photography, I love the art I create, how I can make my own schedule, work with clients across the nation, travel for work and meet new like-minded people all the time. Sure, a regular job might be simpler but owning my own photography business is my passion and nothing could make me happier. I’ll always fight to do what I love over what might be easier.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi my name is Savannah Stohler and I am a fine art black and white photographer based in Tampa, Florida. I own an Etsy store named SavStohlerPrints selling my photography prints and my photography book titled Subtle Shadows. I also work with clients in the Central Florida area to fill their offices and homes with my artwork. I became interested in photography when my dad showed me how to use a camera in middle school, he taught me to frame a great shot and switch my settings. My passion grew throughout high school till I realized I wanted to make a career out of photography. I went to The Art Institute of Tampa and graduated in 2020 focusing on architectural photography. During the pandemic, my focus shifted from being very commercialized to more of a fine art street photography feel. I am very passionate about the work I create now, it is greatly influenced by architecture photography of the 1950s and street photography so whether it is abandoned architecture, the country or traveling in new cities, I always find something unique to photograph. In addition to my photography book and my Etsy print store, I always have other projects going on such as gallery/magazine submissions, working on film photography, client collaborations, photoshoots and I have a new photography book in the works for next year. Stay tuned!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Social media, Etsy and word of mouth! With small businesses and especially photography, the marketing game changes by the year. What worked back in 2016 did not work in 2018 and certainly does not apply to today’s algorithm. It is so easy to want to give up, but social media is essential to small businesses like mine without a store front, therefore you always have to be researching, putting out new material, and interacting with your followers without forcing it because social media brings in the most clients. Etsy has also been incredible for my business, I have worked with companies and individuals who did not have social media and they have turned into repeat clients. Some of the clients I’ve worked with are wonderful passing your information along when anyone asks about your work in their office or home. I will leave business cards and my contact information with those who have my artwork to share and doing so has never let me down!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect is seeing the shot you took be framed and hung on a wall. The idea that someone else saw the beauty in what you were trying to capture that day is really wonderful. All the time spent shooting, editing, printing, framing, delivering/shipping is worth it (even though I love every second) when you finally see the photograph hung on the wall and the client is admiring it. Honestly, because that photo reflects me, I put everything I have into my artwork and I love to see my client happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.savannahstohler.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/savstohlerphotography/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/savannahstohlerphotography/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/savannahstohler783/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/savstohler/
• Other: Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/savstohlerprints/

Image Credits
Savannah Stohler Photography