In this interview, we catch up with Bailey Keller a successful photographer and entrepreneur who turned her passion into a thriving business. Keller shares her journey of turning her hobby into a career and the challenges she faced in the early stages of her business. She also discusses her photography style and how she differentiates herself from other photographers in the industry. Additionally, she highlights the importance of building client relationships and empowering women in her business. We learn about her future plans and what we can expect to see from Bailey Keller Photo & Design in the years to come. Overall, this interview offers valuable insights into the world of photography and entrepreneurship.
What did you learn from the last time we spoke, and how would you give the readers advice from this?
I’ve learned that no matter where you are there’s always room for growth in your career. And to grow, I think you need a lot of confidence and sometimes a “shark” mentality. Unpopular opinion, but you can be humble when you retire.
What inspired you to become a photographer and start your own business?
I’ve kind of always had a camera in my possession growing up. My parents never said “no” when I wanted a new one and they rock for that! When I started this as a hobby I thought “this is just for fun, I like doing it.” But once I started getting inquiry after inquiry and noticing people wanted to pay for my service, it seemed like an opportunity I should jump for. I mean who doesn’t want to be their own boss. I really just turned my hobby into a career.
What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting your business and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the financial side of things. I went to school for Graphic Design and Behavioral Sciences so I knew absolutely nothing about taxes or bookkeeping. I’m lucky to have found a great team to assist me with those things and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Sometimes it’s just safer to hire people that are good at what they do and stick to what you’re good at. 🙂
Can you tell us more about your photography style and how you differentiate yourself from other photographers?
My photography style is fun and candid. I try to stay committed to being real and capturing genuine emotions with my photos. I do my best to keep each session light and fun for everyone. I think I’m different from other photographers because I want the sessions to be more candid than perfect or posed.
What do you think sets your business apart from others in your industry?
I strive to build relationships with all of my clients — I actually want to be your friend and follow your life on social media, not just take your photos… maybe we can even grab dinner after a session.
How do you stay motivated and inspired as a creative entrepreneur?
I think my clients play a big role here. I have a lot of clients who come back as their families grow and I try to give them more and more every time they come back. The goal is to improve my skills with every session. It also helps that it’s just simply what I love to do!
What do you think are the most important qualities for someone in your profession to have?
An eye for detail, creativity and imagination, patience and flexibility, passion, self-motivation and ambition. The ability to connect and communicate with clients is a quality I am proud of. A killer attitude also goes a long way too!
Can you talk about your experience working with female clients and why you focus on empowering women in your business?
A good majority of my clients are women and what I’ve noticed from working with women is how hard we can be on ourselves. I feel like women in our society today have an unwritten expectation of what we should be accomplishing as female business owners, mothers, and even single women. I just want to provide a space where we can lift each other up and support each other in a positive way. We like to throw comparisons out the window here at Bailey Keller Photo & Design.
What are your future plans for Bailey Keller Photo & Design and what can we expect to see from you in the future?
My future plans are not far off from what I’m currently doing. Eventually, I would like to step back on weddings and focus more on families and boudoir photography. Something I completely took away from my business early on was freelance design work. This is a craft I would love to come back to in 5-10 years. But for now, weddings are what make my business whole!
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