Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mallory Morrison, owner of Mallory Morrison, LLC, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a fine art underwater dance photographer, and I sell limited-edition prints to collectors. My customers are mainly individuals wanting my art for their homes as well as interior designers.
Tell us about yourself
I was a ballet dancer and hobbyist photographer, shooting with the dancers I knew. I shot with them in the studio and was really bored with the imagery that I was creating. I wanted the dancers to jump and stay suspended for a while, and that's I realized that gravity was my main problem!
So, I thought if I put them in water, that would solve my problem. Once I tried it, I was hooked. That was 16 years ago, and I've been passionate about creating imagery in the water environment ever since.
I have also found that the finished images promote a sense of calm and relaxation. I am also very passionate about improving mental health, and I am motivated to continue creating this work to help those who collect my work, giving them a sense of calm and escape.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It's not a single moment or award. I feel the greatest sense of accomplishment knowing that I'm still pursuing this passion every day, 16 years later. That I have staying power and resilience, however hard or uncertain it may get at times.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a solopreneur, it can get lonely. It takes constant internal willpower to move the needle forward a little bit every day without anyone else around to be accountable to.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you can niche down and be an expert at that task, that service, and that product, it will make it easier to market yourself to a specific audience.
- Be honest with yourself about your natural tendencies, for better or worse. Knowing your weaknesses can help you figure out what help you will need in the future.
- Be clear about your boundaries. It's easy to let your business take over every moment of your life. It's a quick way to burn out and possibly want to give it up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mallorymorrison.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalloryMorrisonPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallorymorrison/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.