We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Fisher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

The drive to want to be successful. Not having fear of failing and continuing to want to learn and better your craft no matter your experience level.

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

Hey! I’m Steph. I’m a photographer who shoots mostly weddings and couples but also some branding as well. Did I go to school for this? Nope, I sure didn’t. I actually have my degree in biology. I moved out to CO to pursue my masters. Long story short that didn’t happen and what was a hobby on the side to help pay for school actually took off once I moved to Colorado and I just felt this was the path I was supposed to be on. This will now be my 11th year as a photographer!

My brand and style has changed so incredibly much throughout all those years. But I have changed also. And I embraced it. One thing I think I am most proud of when it comes to my work and my brand is that after having kids I really feel like I developed this new sense of self. I was forced to be home more when I had my first daughter, Stevie. I couldn’t work my usual 30 weddings a year (wow, can’t believe I did that) But motherhood changed me and my business, for the better. I was forced to slow down. I had this new found appreciation for my time spent alone with my husband. I was more aware of his touch, how he touched me, how we interacted. All of this I brought into my work. I really strayed away from what was on trend, or what other photographers, social media, etc. were saying was cool and instead I honed in on what truly felt natural for me to capture, and I’m really proud of that. My sessions turned shorter, but more intentional. My direction for my clients did as well. Because I now valued intentionality on a different level and understood it’s importance. My communication with my clients were so much more in depth. I went into sessions knowing exactly how I should capture them specifically, lead them into the photos. Before, I would easily hop on pinterest, look at what was trending and say “do this”. Clients will come to me expecting a From the Daisies shoot. (they literally say this, how special is that) They will come to me in hopes their session feels like something I have shot before, rather than showing another photographers work. I can’t express just how incredible it feels to be able to be someones inspiration for photos and knowing I can create confidently every time. I feel so lucky to have gotten here. I am also so proud of how I feel inspired. If I’m being honest I really do feel Pinterest is a toxic place for me to be, so I avoid it. Instead I am heavliy inspired by my environment and touch. I love noticing how people touch each other, how they interact and I loveee shooting in areas that maybe aren’t the first, second, even on a thought to shoot at. I want to bring beauty to it. Ask me 6 years ago … that’s a different story ha.

So overall I think what I am most proud of is the product I deliver. It truly comes from a place of slowness and creativity. Something I think is so important when shooting the type of sessions I do.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social Media gets such a bad rep sometimes and I don’t understand why. I love it. It’s literally free advertising, ha. A big reason I have a following at all is because of people sharing my work and I’m so grateful for that!! I have never once expected or asked for someone to pay me in order to use my photos. I am always the first one to send the gallery to other vendors because I want them to be sharing MY photos. Take advantage of how powerful social media can be. I also think one thing I do, which might be an unpopular opinion, is posting how and when I want. Your feed if you will is nothing but a billboard. So, I will truly only post what work I feel represents my brand well, or isn’t a repeat of past work. I don’t want clients to have to scroll to find what I am capable of doing. Posting just to post is silly to me.

For someone starting out on social media, or even someone who is pretty established, I think it’s hard to not look at the amount of likes you’re getting. To that all I have to say is take a look at my feed, I have engagement all over the place. But I continue to post what I love, what I feel represents my brand well and I continue to get inquires daily. It only takes one person to see your work and want to hire you.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I love this question and I will try to make it as short as possible ha. In the beginning it was hard. It was sooo much hustle, but as it should be. I was learning. I was new. I didn’t have the skillset to charge anything that was truly going to make my business profitable. Because I am self taught one thing I wish I would have done is asked more established photographers if I could second shoot for free. I would have seen first hand how a wedding day is ran, how to better manage my equipment and be better prepared instead of figuring it all out blindly. But it’s such a growth process. I shot a lot of my couple friends for free to get a portfolio and to practice. I shot my very first wedding in central Illinois for $500. WILD! ha. I will say, one thing I am proud of is I would continue to raise my prices the more experience I would gain. Today I take at most 10 weddings a year and make well over 6 figures doing it. A big reason I got here is because of the quality of the service I deliver and sticking to it. You will constantly get people who say no, you’re too expensive. But you have to remind yourself what it costs to have a successful business. If you have the mindset that “I’m too expensive” then no one else is going to think you’re worth it either. Investing in your business will always be worth it. Buy a mentorship from your favorite photographer, learn how to run your business. The work will come but you have to also put the work it. A successful photography career is more than the photos and I think a lot of people forget that. Happy clients are a big part of that

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fromthedaisies.com
• Instagram: fromthedaisies

Image Credits

All taken by me.