Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tammie Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Tammie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
I obtain my first photography client working in a restaurant lounge as House Photographer taking photos and printing the images on site.
Tammie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi! My name is Tammie and I passionately LOVE Photography….I am a Brand, Portraiture, Event, Red Carpet/Award Show photographer and currently live in Atlanta since 2003, but a Detroit native with a passion for visual storytelling. With over 15 years of experience as a professional photographer.
I have developed a unique skillset that blends my background in Tv/Film to help small business owners and entrepreneurs develop their brand visuals through the power of storytelling by helping them to communicate their brand’s message in a compelling and authentic way. Photography has always been my passion and creative outlet. I’m totally committed to creating a community where women like me, who share the same love for photography, can come together and help each other. I got into photography by way of finding an old camera of my grandfather’s in the early or middle 90’s and became even more interested when film transitioned to digitalin the early 2000’s.
I started my Photography business in the Spring of 2009. My photography service is based on my passion and the belief that my customers’ needs are of the utmost importance when it comes to capturing moments in their lives. I am committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of my business is from repeat customers and referrals. My photography website is called “Capturing the Moments” because, I love sharing time with people who have a love for art, nature, family and entertainment.
The excitement of the capture and the creation of a memorable moment in time is the thrill and the blessing that photography brings. Within those moments are opportunities for thought, remembrances of places, smells, feelings and more. Relying on the sight of my eyes through a small lens, finding that special moment that is captured for a lifetime, has always been my passion. As a photographer, I seek those things, places or people that tell a story. With experience, I enjoy seeing the vast number of possibilities in the world of photography.” Capturing images and memories is a passion for me, not a job! And my philosophy and thought, Cameras don’t take pictures, Photographers do. Cameras are just another artist’s tool. The single most important component of a camera is the “person” behind it.
When it comes to actually interacting with my subject or talent, I am all “heart”. I make my subjects feel relaxed and comfortable on set, I give them lots of encouraging compliments, and tell them how excited I am to work with them. If it’s a model or actress, then I’ll compliment them on their work, let them know that I’m familiar with them, and thank them for coming. A lot of people mostly women, walk onto the set and they’re anxious or intimidated, so I start by telling them exactly what I have in mind for the shoot that day. I want them to know me like a friend. My number one goal is to convey to the people that I’m photographing that I sincerely care about them. I want to photograph you so that you look like no one has ever seen you before. That sentiment comes from me and my heart. I always try to make a personal connection with everyone that I work with. I would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best photography service. So give me a call when you’re ready for your moment to be captured!
In addition to my work as a Photographer, I’ve been work in the TV/Film Industry since 2012, thanks to Atlanta, as a Background Actor (Extra), Stand-In for Actresses and as Talent for Commercial work. I have had a Background Roles as “Photographer” on many Television shows filmed here in the Atlanta Metro area.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2008, I was laid-off from my corporate job in the business sector of the Healthcare field in which I had acquire a degree in and was such a long time before I was offered another job opportunity that was financially acceptable and equivalent to my field, experience and education. So, I decided to learn and develop my skillset for interest in photography and see if I could start a business of capturing people’s important moments, such as events. I started off working as a House Photographer at a local Restaurant and Lounge in Roswell, GA working on weekends on Friday evenings and Saturdays. I was there from May 2009 until December 2010 taking photos of the patrons and whatever was the restaurant’s entertainment happening that evening. I would print out my photos and put in an elegant photo frame and sell for $10. Some nights it would be and some nights not, but overall, it was where I got my start in meeting people and making connections for establishing Photo Clients. When I left the restaurant, I was in a space of elevating my photography to another area of the creative space with wanting to do something different. I didn’t know what, but I knew it would find me and it did with going into the Photo Shoot realm and eventually the excitement of the Red-Carpet world.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Referrals and Social Media……I have to say that a bulk of my clientele initially and on-going has been from referrals. I have been tremendously successful and blessed to have great clients that refer me to their friends and associates. As the Social Media world began to surface and take off immediately got on board and learned to navigate that world and connect with people and businesses to showcase my talent and love of Photography. Leave no stone unturned when wanting to capture an audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.capturingthemomentsatl.com
- Instagram: CameraGirl1214
- Facebook: Capturing The Moments Photography-TS
- Twitter: CameraGirl1214
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cameragirl1214 Kavyar: https://kavyar.com/tammiepeterson