Inclusivity and Body Empowerment - A Queer Photog

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Holly Stevens, Owner of A Queer Photog, located in Seattle, WA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business A Queer Photog is a portrait photography brand focused on inclusivity and body empowerment. I create intimate imagery as a way of advocating for all bodies as well as promoting healing within ourselves and our communities. My customers are anybody who wants to celebrate themselves by capturing exactly who they are through beautiful, honest photographs.

Tell us about yourself

I am a 28-year-old queer photographer, artist, and parent. I first started creating body empowerment photography because I was disappointed to see how often portrait photographers only photograph a very narrow range of body types instead of capturing the endless range of diversity that actually exists in the world. I realized that people need to see gorgeous images of people who look like them, not just people who look like movie stars.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The countless number of people who have told me that they felt more self-love and self-appreciation after hiring me for photos. I love making my customers happy, and it is my favorite thing in the world to hear people's reactions when they see their photos for the first time. I feel like I am changing the world through my photography business, which is the best feeling I could hope for!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Navigating Instagram has been the biggest challenge of the last couple of years because it is indispensable to my business but also can be very frustrating. Not only is the algorithm constantly changing, but Instagram has somewhat ambiguous rules about nudity that they apply differently to different accounts. And since my work is about banishing body shame, sometimes there is nudity involved in the photography I create. So I try to censor it properly but even sometimes, properly censored images get taken down for reasons I may never know or understand.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Establish firm boundaries from the beginning about when you are working or not working. Take time off even if you feel like you can't.
2. Make sure your website looks good. Nowadays, it's easier than ever with all the free templates that come with a website subscription!
3. Consider investing in a social media manager so that you can focus on the work and not get too wrapped up in navigating fickle sites like Instagram.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.aqueerphotog.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aqueerphotog/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aqueerphotog

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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