Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vicki Alsup. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Vicki , thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?
If I could go back in time, I wish I had started my photography business a lot sooner. I’ve always enjoyed photography for as long as I can remember but only ever looked at it as a hobby. It wasn’t until my first grandchild was born in 2016 and saw how expensive photos were that I decided to take some classes to learn how to use my camera better. I knew I wanted photos of my family and expecially the grandchildren and wanted to save my daughter some money so I signed up to take come intro classes at University of North Georgia at the Cumming City Hall. After registering, my Mother, found me a Nikon D3100 for sale on Facebook marketplace and bought it for me to learn with, since it was an upgrade from the camera I had. I took the intro classes and decided pretty quickly that I wanted to do the entire Professional Photography Certificate Program. I knew I wanted to do more with my camera but still didn’t think about making it a business.
I reached out to a local professional photographer, that we had used a couple of times, to see if she could help with some problems I was having with focus, settings, etc. She took me under her wing and helped me so much, she not only helped me understand what I was doing wrong she asked me to assist her with some of her sessions to watch and learn. Then I started helping her shoot at football games at one of the local high schools, that turned to shooting a few other sports as well. Her confidence in me helped boost my confidence in myself.
After taking classes and shooting some with my mentor, I received my Professional Photography Certificate. I then started posting some of my photos that I had done for class on my facebook page and started having people message me to see if I would do photos for them. So after agreeing to do some small sessions for family and friends and seeing they were pleased with what I gave them. I decided to give photography a shot, more than just a hobby and see how it would go. And for every session I would post sneaks of I would book 2-3 more sessions. So I decided to start Vicki Alsup Photography and see where it would go.
It has grown so much in the past two years that it is actually close to a full time job (only a lot more fun), especially from August through December. This passion has helped me save more for retirement from my full-time day job, helped me capture special moments for my family and friends and has helped me meet so many new amazing people and I do wonder where this path would have led me if I had started it 20 plus years ago. So many doors have opened for me since I started this journey that I can only imagine at the images I could have captured and if this would have been my full time job.
But it’s ok, because it’s all in God’s time and he has opened the door to so many things these past two years that I can’t ponder on the past too much. I only aim to reach for the stars and shoot as many beautiful things that I can along the way.
Vicki , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Vicki Alsup and I am the owner of Vicki Alsup Photography. But before being the owner of my own business, I am a wife to Bruce Alsup, mother to Kelsey Clack and Levi Alsup, Mother In Law to Stephen Clack and Bailey Alsup and the Nonna to Kinzley and Aubrey Clack. I am a dauther, sister, aunt, neice and friend. I am proud to be all of these things and think being these various roles helps me interact with my clients better.
I started my photography journey seriously after my granddaughter was born, I wanted to learn to use my camera better to be able to take photos of her and then my grandson when he was born. So I started photography classes through University of North Georgia at the Cumming City Hall. After registering, my Mother, found me a Nikon D3100 for sale on Facebook marketplace and bought it for me to learn with, since it was an upgrade from the camera I had. I took the intro classes and decided pretty quickly that I wanted to do the entire Professional Photography Certificate Program. I knew I wanted to do more with my camera but still didn’t think about making it a business.
I reached out to a local professional photographer, that we had used a couple of times, to see if she could help with some problems I was having with focus, settings, etc. She took me under her wing and helped me so much, she not only helped me understand what I was doing wrong she asked me to assist her with some of her sessions to watch and learn. Then I started helping her shoot at football games at one of the local high schools, that turned to shooting a few other sports as well. Her confidence in me helped boost my confidence in myself.
After taking classes and shooting some with my mentor, I received my Professional Photography Certificate in 2018. I then started posting some of my photos that I had done for class on my facebook page and started having people message me to see if I would do photos for them. So after agreeing to do some small sessions for family and friends and seeing they were pleased with what I gave them. I decided to give photography a shot, more than just a hobby and see how it would go. And for every session I would post sneaks of I would book 2-3 more sessions. So I decided to start Vicki Alsup Photography and see where it would go.
I still research and watch lots of videos to try to up by skills and learn new tricks to try, because I’m not sure you can ever learn everything when it comes to photography. I love capturing special moments in peoples lives and try different ways to capture their unique personality. I enjoy every aspect of photography – people, animals, landscape, etc. I welcome my clients to bring their own ideas to the session and we will mix our thoughts together to get them the best photo possible. The most rewarding part of this business is the friendships that you make along the way and getting watch them grow in life.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
My mother purchased my first camera and lens for me to start with and take classes. Then as I did sessions I saved every penny to purchase a professional level camera and lenses. I don’t purchase anything new unless I have the money saved from my photo sessions.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of this business is the friendships that you make along the way and getting watch them grow into the life and people they are meant to be. You get the opportunity to be a small part of their lives.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
These are all photos I have taken – Vicki Alsup Photography