We recently connected with Stephenie Boys and have shared our conversation below.

Stephenie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I love being a business owner! It allows me to set my own schedule and be present for my kids activities as well! I do sometimes think about having a ‘regular job’, but quickly remember my distaste for answering to a boss, going in when I don’t feel like it, and the rigid schedule etc, whereas now I can work as many or as few hours as the demand calls for and take as many breaks for as long as I’d like!

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

I got into photography when I use to make jewelry and hair accessories and needed images to sell my products. Eventually I stopped outsourcing to other photographers and invested in my own camera and began taking photos on my then three year old daughter, Gabriella. Once those images started to circulate, people started to inquire about sessions, which was never my intent. Then things just kind of took off from there and I did outdoor photos part time for eight years. Now, I am twelve years in and have an in home studio as well! I specialize in Seniors, Headshots, Children, and Family Portraits. Each year I am averaging over one hundred clients, many of whom have now been coming back yearly and referring others as well! I think what sets me apart from others is how I communicate and interact with my clients! I prefer to engage on the phone, because they can hear my tone and excitement for what we can create together, once that contact happens they leave the conversation feeling relieved that it is easier than they thought and with ideas and choices for what we need to do to make it happen. My goal is to make it as stress free and easy on them as possible!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is once I deliver a gallery for a client to review and they have such an amazing response, “Seriously Stephenie they are absolutely beautiful. I can’t narrow it down and will probably order more. You outdid yourself. They’re stunning. They are just they’re stunning. I cried.” This reaction makes it all worth it because now this family has life long heirlooms to pass down from generation to generation. What is even better is when they take it a step further by sharing on my reviews page as well. It just warms my heart to know I have created something so special for someone.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Going from hobbyist and part time to full time was a huge pivot. I started in the studio during covid and jumped in full time full steam ahead. I had to remind myself that this was a huge leap and I can in fact do it. I just kept honing in and learning so I could be successful. I had to learn indoor lighting settings and equipment and I was determined to make it work. I had the support of my family who literally did everything they could including painting my space to revamping my website. Addwire Creative Studio did amazing seo work and website design and menus, it took me to the next level that I needed to succeed and grow. The field of photography is cut throat and competitive so I surrounded myself with others in the field with the same mindset as me – there’s enough sunshine for us all, I celebrate when you win and vice versa, we help each other, we refer each other and help when and where I can and be that to an up and coming if they ask- the circle of creatives in this city is incredible. Another giant leap was last year when I finally found my perfect Santa for Christmas sessions! I invested the time and money into creating sets with walls and matching floors and countless hours planning with my Santa to ensure the upmost magical experience for my clients and it has for sure paid off! They love the Santa Experience!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephjordanphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/stephjordanphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephjordanphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steph-jordan-photography
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephjordanphotography

Image Credits
All my images by Steph Jordan Photography LLC