We recently connected with Teryn Byrd and have shared our conversation below.

Teryn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

My photography story is a little different from most. My photography business isn’t my full time job. And this doesn’t make my passion for my photography any less, but it can make managing my time difficult. It isn’t easy to work a demanding 9-5 job and then come home and run your own small business. Some days I just binge watch my favorite tv shows and go to bed at 9:00pm simply from being physically and mentally exhausted. Plus, in between all that, I’m trying to run my household with a husband and two very energetic Boxers. There’s always cooking, cleaning, laundry and play time to be had. My to-do list is never ending and always being added to.

But, my clients are absolutely what keeps me going. My client load is small, for now, while I am in the busy season for my full time job. And even with a smaller than normal client load, I still find myself asking for grace from time to time. My editing can get back logged quickly. And, especially in my boudoir work, I’m a perfectionist that can be quite hard on themselves-making my workflow even slower.

I’ve learned that as long as your open and honest with your clients, they will be understanding. I also make it my mission to let them know just how much their grace means to me. It’s not uncommon for me to upgrade an album, give an extra final image count, free framed print, etc.

When my clients give back to me, I feel that it is equally important to give back to them. Especially in current times, small little acts of kindness and appreciation go along way and it shows them how much their trust and support in my photography business truly means to me. I never want any of my clients to feel like my heavy workload outside of photography effects their experience with me. That is the last thing I want them to think or feel. Every single client has made my small business what it is today and because I have established such an honest foundation, I have repeat clients and word of mouth referrals which keep my business going. I absolutely adore my clients and I genuinely love going the extra mile to show them so.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In 2020, I picked up my first camera with the intention to photograph animals and write children’s stories using my photographs for illustrations. I thought I could just magically pick up the camera and create beautiful images. And when that didn’t come so easy, I never touched the camera again for another year. Finally, I really devoted the time to learning how to use my camera, understand lighting, how to shoot outside, how to shoot inside, how aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all connected, etc., and when I started to learn and practice the craft, I found my spark for photography. But my true calling came when I started my Boudoir Photography journey. As soon as I saw how others felt about themselves through my Boudoir images, I was immediately in a love affair with Boudoir. It is such a transformative, rejuvenating and healing genre of photography. As someone who struggles with body positivity, image and insecurities, I knew I wanted to help others overcome all of that through Boudoir.

From day one, I have made it my mission to go against the grain when it comes to my approach to my photography business, especially my Boudoir work. I have created client focused and driven packages that are inclusive of high quality albums and other physical products so not only do you get the experience of a Boudoir session, but you have a physical way to preserve your Boudoir journey to look back on. My ultimate goal, in my Boudoir work, is to reach as many individuals as possible, so that they have the opportunity to know how uplifting, empowering and exhilarating a Boudoir session can be! That’s also why my Boudoir approach is branded around my clients-they define their Boudoir session with me by what Boudoir means to them. If my clients want full glam for their experience, great! If they prefer a more natural, come as you are approach, wonderful! Teryn It Up Boudoir is not one size fits all, and this is a safe space where everyone and every body is welcome.

Outside of my Boudoir photography, I have an equal passion for Elopements/Intimate Weddings, Branding, Lifestyle and Pet Photography. (Teryn Margret Photography is my non-boudoir studio name). And in these genres, I remain client focused and driven in all of my services, the products I offer, my client communication, photography sessions, images, and more. I like to think of myself as a candid, emotive and love-inspired visual storyteller. I want my images to tell the story of what matters most to you.

I know your supposed to niche down, but I have even added photography education into my work.

As important as it is to me to stay client driven, it is equally important to me to share what I have learned along my photography journey, with other aspiring photographers. Too often I have heard “community over competition” and not seen it practiced, which is disheartening. If I can help an aspiring photographer in any way, shape, or form, my little heart will be so overjoyed with happiness.

But why try and do it all or so much? Because at the end of the day, I love helping others. And whether you’re my client or a fellow photographer, I want to help you in any way that I can.

I keep my brand personal, because of this. I want to get to know you. I want to share my craft with you- as my client or fellow photog. I want to create with you! And I want you to be met with genuine kindness and know that even if I’m not a “fit” for you as your personal photographer or educator, I will still support you in any way that I can.

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

Hands down, seeing how my images make others feel.

I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the demands and pressures of social media, content creating, and having some type of online presence-either as a creative/artist or non-creative. We all feel the anxiety of trying to “keep up.”

If we can take a few steps back and really focus on what we are posting or scrolling past, there are moments where an image or video makes us feel a certain emotion-whether it be happy, sad, angry, depressed, joyful, anxious, understanding, sympathy, etc.

As a creative, this is the connection I try to focus on. What will my audience feel from this/my images?

For example, in my Boudoir work, I know that through lighting, angles, set design, props, editing, etc., that it’s my job to help someone feel good about themselves and change the negative ways they see, think and feel about their body.

When I put this at the forefront of my work, I feel the most reward from my work, because my images change someone’s life in the long run.

It’s easy to forget the “why” behind why we do what we do as creatives. This is when imposter syndrome sneaks in and we start to doubt ourselves and our art. Here comes the self sabotage. Here comes the comparison to each other.

But as creatives, if we can get back to the “why” behind our art, whatever our “why” may be, that’s when the most rewarding magic happens. And that will fuel your passion for creating.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

(In relation to phytography and running a small business) I think it’s important to know that all creatives, no matter the industry, have to where multiple hats within their business.

In a society that wants what it wants and wants it now, I think it’s easy to demand a product or service without keeping in mind that there is a human(s) behind that business.

For many of us, not only do we pour our heart and soul into our craft, but we equally do the same for our client experiences.

I think as a non-creative, who is also a potential client, it’s important to remember that when creatives have off time, we deserve and need our off time. It needs to be respected. You may see us posting on social media, but that doesn’t mean we are ignoring your emails. Everyone needs a a break.

And please respect our processes for running our business. I know client contracts are long and boring, but I promise that they are there for multiple reasons and it’s not just to protect our businesses. We also want to protect you as well.

I think it’s important to give your creative the opportunity to fix something that you may not be happy with before you resort to leaving bad reviews and speaking about them negatively.

Cancel culture has gotten out of control and it creates such a mob mentality.

Ruining someone’s small business isn’t a flex.

On the opposite end of this, I think as creatives, it is equally important for us to remember that our clients are the reason we have a small business to begin with.

I think we become so robotic in our workflows and approaches to running our business, that we forget to add in those personal touches that really make the difference in our services we provide.

There has to be open communication and give & take coming form both sides of the coin.     

Contact Info:

• Website: terynitupboudoirandphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: @terynitupboudoir @terynmargetphotography

Image Credits
Rebecca Dexter