Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to TeQoa Griffith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi TeQoa, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

As a Wedding / Portrait photographer my first wedding clients actually convinced me I did NOT want to do this for a living!! They were friends of my husbands and the wedding was in another state. I had to pack up all of my gear. And realized that if I did not have it I wouldn’t have it. It was a 18 party wedding and I felt so overwhelmed. I had not planned anything out the way I would if this same couple came to me today. They were supper patient with me and it went very well. After this wedding, I had to sit down and reevaluate my whole life.

There was a ton of research I had to do before my next one. We don’t just click a button. There are processes and systems in place for every shoot that we do.

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

I believe that a visual representation of ones business, persona, even wedding is very important. The sense of sight invokes a plethora of feelings. When you see an image you remember the place, the smell and some times even the emotions wether good or bad.

We pride ourselves in providing an experience for each client. I love hearing the ideas that my clients bring to the table and the planning process. I choose to include them, seeing that they have to see and live with these images.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Being a photographer was not my dream job. I was in the radio business for about 15 years prior. My husband and I owned an internet radio and we would travel to events with a photographer and videographer. One day they decide they wanted to venture off on their own. At that point we found ourselves without the visual aspect of our station. I told my husband if he buys me a camera, I would figure it out. And so 7 years later I have grown BlaqPearl photography into a flourishing photography company.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Growing up in Buffalo, NY (Yes, I know) and being a single mom ( for 15years) you learn how to survive. Most won’t say this but Buffalo is a city of survivors. We had to make it work , what ever “it” is. Moving to Connecticut ( I married into it), was a sort of culture shock. I had to unlearn the mode of survival. Not that it is a bad thing, however, when you moving pieces to fit and some to force a way of life it becomes a bad habit. When I moved to CT, I had some breathing room. My husband worked and allowed me to learn and build my business. I was so used to cutting corners to get to an end ( survive) that it resonated in by business. So my first 2 years I struggled… I had to stop and regroup and basically restart.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blaqpearlphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/blaqpearlphotos
• Facebook: facebook.com/blaqpearlphotos
• Twitter: twitter.com/blaqpearlphotos
• Youtube: youtube.com/blaqpearlphotos

Image Credits
Pink Background – @SouthSidePhotography Black polkadot – Andi Landsbach Photography