It’s always very enlightening to hear advice and tips from other professional photographers, and there’s certainly no shortage of interviews with some of the more well-known personalities in the photography industry to be found.
However, I believe we also have a lot to learn from the experiences of others who are with us side-by-side in the trenches – from photographers who are experiencing some of the same challenges that we are.
I also think that listening to some of the creative ways that photographers have discovered for overcoming common challenges can be both instructive and very inspiring to those who are in a similar position. Therefore, I’m thrilled to bring you this wonderful interview with newborn and wedding photographer Lisa Otto…
Defining Your Focus & Building Client Relationships
Lisa Otto has been a full-time professional photographer for around 2 years, and combined photography with a full-time job for several years prior to that. Two of the great lessons she’s learned from her experience so far are defining her focus as a photographer, and developing good client relationships.
Like many of us, she started out as a “do everything” photographer, but has since learned where her real passions lie and has chosen to narrow the focus of her business to the niches she loves: newborns and weddings.
Making the move from a full-time job, with a “secure” income, is a scary prospect from any would-be professional photographer, but Lisa understood the very important principle that it’s essential for us to make a strong and committed decision in order to move forward towards our goals.
Having made the commitment to become a full-time photographer, and knowing that there’s less security when running one’s own business, she realized the need to appreciate her clients all the more. Now, she enjoys the benefits of good and productive relationships with her clients.
Interview Highlights
Some of the great topics we covered during this jam-packed interview include:
- Making the leap from full-time job to photographer
- The power of making firm decisions
- Don’t live off the “what-ifs”
- Realize that you are unique
- Evolving from the “do everything” photographer to a specialty
- Working with what inspires you first
- Positioning in the market, valuing your work, and pricing
- Word of mouth marketing
- Joint venture marketing with a consignment store
- Engagement questionnaires
- Giving your clients something special
Listen To The Interview:
Closing Thoughts
I would like to thank Lisa for sharing the benefits of her experience with us, and there is so much food for thought in this great interview. I’m sure you have some questions or comments, so please do take a moment to post those below, and I’ll do my best to get those answered for you.
About Our Speaker: Lisa Otto
Lisa Otto is a newborn and wedding photographer based in the Tampa Bay, FL area.
The mother of 2 boys, 20 and 5, there isn’t a challenge that she isn’t willing to accept. She is passionate about capturing those beginnings that enter your life.
The first look between a bride and groom when they realize that their worlds are syncing or the look on first time parent’s faces when they see the innocent child that they have brought into this world, those are the moments that capture her heart.
When not working on photo related projects, you can find her relaxing by the pool with friends/family usually with the camera in hand.
You can see more of Lisa’s professional photography on her website at: Lisa Otto Photography
About Nigel Merrick
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