Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Kelly, Owner of Melissa Kelly Photography, located in Lansdale, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a commercial and portrait photographer fond of higher education and non-profits. The bulk of my clients is colleges and universities that I partner with to help tell their stories -- academics, research, campus life, and more.
Tell us about yourself
My grandfather was a hobby photographer, and though he died when I was a kid, he made a huge impression on me. He and my grandmother bought me my first 35 mm camera, and the rest, as they say, is history. One of my first jobs was developing films at the local one-hour photo mat. I learned about cameras from the salespeople I worked with. I took photos for the school paper and enrolled in a community college photography class as a high school student. After that, I continued to study photography and photojournalism when I got to college. Somehow, though, I never imagined I would make a living as a photographer. After a few photography jobs and a healthy side hustle, I had the opportunity to launch full-time into my photography business. While I started with portraits, babies, and weddings, I ultimately settled into commercial and marketing photography, primarily in higher education. I love to photograph regular people -- students, faculty, and more -- and tell a story about a program or campus that really shows off the heart of a community. There's a passion on campuses that is intoxicating and inspiring, and I feel energized working in those spaces. Everyone I meet is passionate about their work or research -- or they are at the beginning of a journey with no limits.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My business surviving the first few years of the COVID pandemic is easily my biggest accomplishment. My biggest fear was all of my work vanishing over time -- and in a matter of a week, my entire year's worth of bookings had evaporated. Being able to navigate the loss of 70% of my income practically overnight and rebuild over the following years has taught me that I can survive anything.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
My biggest struggle as a business owner is creating a structure with myself to keep growing and moving forward. I am a person who can really excel within defined systems -- school, corporate employment, anywhere there is an easily navigable path forward. Once I was out on my own, having to define my own benchmarks and successes was something it took me years to figure out.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do good work. Produce a product you are proud to sell and truly believe in. It makes the heavy parts of entrepreneurship a little bit lighter.
- Be good to work with. Communicate clearly and in a timely manner. Appreciate your partners and let them know it. Under promise and over-deliver. The rest falls into place.
- Make time for yourself. It's so easy to let your business swallow you whole. It's easy to feel like you're on the clock 24/7, especially when the business is in its infancy or a crisis. But burnout is very real, and time off is as important for your success as the hustle is.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.melissakelly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/higheredphotographer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higheredphotographer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissakelly/
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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