We recently connected with Taty Streetman and have shared our conversation below.

Taty, appreciate you joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Hey guys! First of all, thank you for having me.

As a photographer, asking friends and family for support in your business is a delicate balance that requires sensitivity, boundaries, and clear communication. I feel like it’s natural to want the people closest to you to appreciate and contribute to your passion, but at the same time, it’s essential to maintain healthy relationships. Photographers are, after all, artists, and not everyone may vibe with your artistic style – and that’s totally okay.

In the early stages of my career, I did many photoshoot sessions for free for family and friends, and I also offered wedding services at a very low cost. Honestly, I was hesitant about weddings because the responsibility of capturing someone’s big day felt overwhelming. Yet, the couples believed in me, and for those who supported me from the get-go, I’m forever grateful. I also have photographers friends who have taught me so much, and they’re one of the reasons why I kept pushing and invested in my business.

I’ve reached a point where I can no longer offer these services for free. I’ve invested a significant amount of time and money to get to where I am. While I’m not yet where I want to be, I’m very happy with my journey and grateful for friends who understand and support my business without me having to ask. I understand that not everyone may be in a position to support my business financially or through referrals, and I respect their boundaries and don’t pressure them to contribute in ways that make them uncomfortable.

Although supporting someone’s business isn’t just about booking them or making a purchase, in this digital era, your visibility depends on others talking about you or sharing your work on social media. In my case, social media is where my portfolio is displayed, and it’s the primary source of my business. The interaction that followers, friends, clients, and families have with my posts can reach more people and potentially lead to more bookings. While it sounds simple, many overlook the impact interactions can have on a post. I do not ask for the interaction because I don’t want to bother them, but I know how much the interaction can impact in my business.

I also believe it’s okay to offer discounts to friends and family. Once, I gave a friend a discount, and she was grateful, but she declined it because she wanted to fully support my business – a very thoughtful gesture. On the flip side, asking for a discount is something I’ve done in the past, and I’m a bit ashamed lol, but now as a business owner, I know what it takes to run a business and all the challenges that comes with it. My goal is not just to provide a service to my clients but to offer them real value for what they are getting.

In conclusion, seeking support from friends and family can be beneficial, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Strive to maintain open communication, respect boundaries, and ensure that your relationships remain positive and supportive, regardless of their level of involvement in your business.

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

So, my name is Taty (pronounced Tatchi.) I’m the Brazilian behind the camera.

I’ve always had a thing for photography, though it never crossed my mind to turn it into a career. Fast forward to 2017 when I landed in the US. I started shooting for my home church, and soon after, my amazing friends rallied together to gift me a new camera (so sweet, right?). I began connecting with fellow photographers, soaking up knowledge, and thought, “Why not dive deeper into this?” And that’s when “Ploosh Photos” was born. The name? I created “Ploosh” when I was doing a presentation in the art school, and the professor asked us to come up with an artsy last name, so “Ploosh” came. After that, it became a nickname. I took the business seriously after meeting my husband, Tyler, who has encouraged me to continue to pursue this career.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, as a creative, artist and wedding photographer, one of the most significant rewards is the knowledge that you are creating timeless memories. I genuinely love getting to know real couples and learning about their love stories. What I’m most proud of is that even though English isn’t my first language, I can make my couples feel comfortable enough to be in front of the camera and capture their love. I’m currently seeking a more candid vibe than traditional ‘posing’ wedding photos. I want to transition to a more storytelling type of vibe. It’s not easy, but I want to make everything look real. Marriage isn’t perfect, but love is real. So, I want my couples to look back at their wedding photos and remember how happy they were and how much they love each other as the years pass.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Social Media, and emails. I have known couples from the time they were dating, I did their engagement, wedding or elopement, maternity photos and now family photos. I have families that book me every year for Christmas photos, or even multiple times throughout the year for different occasions. Love the connection and relationship that I’ve built with my couples and families.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.plooshphotos.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/plooshphotos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plooshphotos

Image Credits
Photos by Taty Streetman – Ploosh Photos.