Week 3: Very Short Interview No. 1

Short Interview No. 1

Growing up as a photographer's daughter I met many entrepreneurs in the wedding industry.  I  worked as a photographer's assistant for five years and we would often team up with other photographers when taking on huge events.  One of these photographers was Paula Herron.  She is located in Virginia Beach and has owned her business Paula Herron Photography for 20 years.  Paula has an established small business and her work focuses on newborns, children, weddings, and portrait settings. 

Link to her website: http://www.paulaherronphotography.com/ 

 

1. Why did you choose to start a business in photography?

Photography has been a major passion of mine and continues to grow.  I always enjoyed taking pictures of family and friends capturing their emotions and memories.  I wanted to share my passion of photography by capturing memories that clients hold dear to them. It is nice to have a job that you love.

 

2. How do you handle the stress of owning a business?

Organization is key to any business success, that and good partners. The type of business I am in is extremely stressful. The wedding side is honestly the worst. My team and I have one shot and we do not have any room for mistakes. No redo’s or money back on these. Again, organization is a key and creating a team that can pull it all together in a seamless motion is what it takes. We each have our tasks and there is a check and balance system to confirm everything is being done properly, efficiently and to the clients best interest. We have very little time no matter who we are working with to make everyone happy. Even when we are back in our offices down-loading and creating the end product it is again a series of steps, checks and balances. Somewhat of a well-choreographed dance that makes you smile and be at peace when it is all over. Well if it is performed correctly. But always remember, while the passion for me is photography and I have chosen this as my business, I do need to find “me time” with it to continue that passion. So to finally curve off any lingering stress, there’s nothing like a good walk along a river with my camera or the beach at sunset, and the only expectation as to what I photograph is whatever I come across.

 

3. Do you have some recommendations for people trying to start or grow their business?

I partnered up with someone who not only was a great photographer but graduated with a degree in Marketing. I could not have been more lucky. The saying that it is “who you know” is so true when it comes to business. If you are at all a little shy or not one to talk it up then you should really look into having someone help you out. Or learn to get out there. Join groups affiliated with your business and 1 tier outside your business. And I mean be active. Go to meetings and be a part of the action. Advertising is important but don’t do it blindly be mindful of how it is done and keep track of what does or doesn’t work. Money is hard to come by and you need to keep track of those simple things. While the internet is the in thing, it is really reaching your demographic audience or do you need to reach them a different way? No everyone hits social media and not everyone reads the paper. But word of mouth is free and your friends and previous customers are always your best customers. Keep smiling, keep organized, market and advertise yourself smart and save up for your rainy day!

 

 

Interviewing Paula Herron has made it clear in what it takes to become an entrepreneur.  It's vital that when you are opening a business that you will be working at every single day you better be passionate about it!  If you don not have a strong bond with your idea the more difficult it will be for you to grow your business.  This is very true and I never thought of the relationship you have with your work.  If you are very passionate the stronger the bond and the more you'll want to invest yourself in it.  If you don't have a strong bond then the less you'll look forward to working and the longer it will take for you to grow your business or it will likely fail.