We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Stone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
I wanted to be a professional photographer since I was very young. After High school, I went to an art school for a half a year before deciding that it wasn’t for me. I wanted to do more than what the school was offering me and knew I could do it myself. I’m now completely self taught, but it did take me a few years to build a business and learn how to run one. I started out photographing friends and family and it wasn’t until I started working with local models doing fashion work, when I truly found what I loved to do. I loved doing creative work and brining that into normal client portrait sessions. I started to book clients regularly and got my business license 4 years ago. I really took my time learning how to run a photography business and I’m always looking for new ways to improve and love to learn from other photographers!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a creative portrait photographer based in Cincinnati Ohio. I specialize in more of a documentary/editorial style of photography and I do everything from fashion, branding, senior portraits, to weddings! I love to help clients plan the perfect photoshoot. I help find the locations, plan outfits and even bring props if they are needed. I’m always there to help guide clients every step of the way and this especially true for weddings.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I really believe it’s all the amazing people I worked with and continue to work with creatively! I have lots of friends who I shoot with regularly for themed shoots and I honestly don’t believe I would have been able to make it into a career without them. When booking with me, you already know it’s going to be super creative and I love hearing clients ideas and their excitement for the shoot!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I first started my business I wanted nothing to do with being a wedding photographer. I just couldn’t see myself having long weekends, strict shot list, the pressure of getting formal photos, and the long editing hours. It wasn’t until I booked my first wedding that I realized I could have my dream clients who allow me to stick to my creative style and fully trust that I can’t capture their day that I started to love photographing weddings. My wedding photography style is documentary and timeless. I love capturing natural moments vs posed ones. I am not a full time wedding photographer and I don’t plan to be one. I want to be able to give my clients my full attention and can only do that by booking just a few a year!
Contact Info:
- Website: Stephanistone.com
- Instagram: Stephaniestonephoto
Image Credits
Stephanie Stone Photography