We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teri Vroma a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Teri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
In 2019 I had just started getting into photography full time. I ended 2019 on a high with so many hopes for 2020 to be an amazing year. Then in the March of 2020 I knew my photography business was going to take a major hit. Between the social distancing, masks and the lockdown around Nashville, I wasn’t allowed to do what I loved, which is capturing family memories. I attempted to do the front porch sessions and that was a major bust. I thought I was done, before I could even get started. I decided during the lockdown, to go photograph Nashville as an empty city and I shared the images on my Facebook Page and it was shared over 100 times and was viewed by thousands. I knew then I just needed to ride it out. In August of 2020 when our area was able to do more things, the amount of clients that reached out for sessions was overwhelming! I was busy every weekend until the end of the year. I truly believe people realized how important family and photos are and I’ve been steadily busy since then. I knew I didn’t want to be an in-studio photographer, and covid really helped with that. I was still able to photograph, safely outdoors and give families what the wanted.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Hello my name is Teri Vroma and I am the photographer and owner of Teri Vroma Photography. I was born and raised In Michigan. My family and I moved to Hendersonville, TN in September 2016. I have three children and they have been my driving force back into photography. Seeing how quickly the moments go bye, and the desire to hold onto those moments. I wanted to provide an opportunity for others to hold onto those moments as well.
My passion is photography, whether it is landscape or portrait. I love the story that each photo tells, from joy to sadness and everything in between. I have been able to get back behind the camera more and more the past couple years and I love every minute of capturing the moments that mean the most. In 2020 I went all in, making my mini sessions all that I hoped for. While my mini sessions are my favorite, I can tailor to your needs. Pictures are a time capsule that we hold forever, and I can do anything from Senior pictures to that big wedding day or maybe the maternity shoot to follow, but let’s not forget those precious grandparent moments.
What set me apart from other photographers, is my themed minis. I have created and built most of my major props; including a 6 foot Santa sleigh, barn wood fireplace, and my favorite little stand which gets used for so many things. I love creating my scenes and watching little kids interact with each set up. Everything I create is kid friendly and its so fun to see what they will do with my props.
In 2021 I took a chance at getting my images published and since then I’ve been published over 370 times. Including multiple covers, back covers and featured artist, both nationally and internationally.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My children are my driving force and where I get my creativity. My children are into vastly different activities and with that helps me come with unique ideas for sessions. I have two daughters (11 and 9) and one son (5) and it became apparent very fast that there were so many fun and cute sessions for little girls, but not so many for little boys and that’s where my idea for a bait shop mini came alive. It has become one of my favorite themed minis to do.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
When covid caused the lock down in March of 2020 in Nashville, I drove around and took photos from my car and posted them on my page and shared them on a few local Facebook pages around my area. the response was tremendous and they were shared, liked and commented on like nothing else I’ve shared. That was a great way for me build up my followers. Otherwise, when I post my clients albums, I invite anyone who reacts to them to my page or when someone requests a photographer on different pages on Facebook, I tag my page in it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Teri Vroma Photography
- Facebook: Teri Vroma Photography
- Other: Email is [email protected]