Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Scherer.
Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always loved photography. I was the friend that always had a camera with her, way before cell phones made taking photos so easy. I would save money from babysitting to buy films and develop my photos. My journey as the owner of Lisa Kelly Photo began about 15 years ago. I am a mom of three daughters and wanted to photograph them. My Dad bought me my first camera, and I remember being overwhelmed. The photos I took looked different from those I saw other Photographers take. That is when it hit me that a good camera did not make you a good Photographer, and I knew I needed some education. I took classes and practiced a ton on my daughters and friends’ kids. When I thought I knew what I was doing, I started telling friends that I wanted to charge for photos, and they spread the word. Fast forward 15 years, and I have clients with whom I started my business. They are like family. It is an honor to watch families, and their kids grow. I feel fortunate to be the person that captures the memories that they will have forever.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
The road has been smooth because my clients are amazing people, and I truly appreciate the hard work I put into my business. But I am constantly second-guessing myself, I worry that I am not charging enough, but when I think of raising my prices, I worry that I will lose some long-time clients on tighter budgets. I try not to compare my work to others, but it is human nature. I used to shoot many weddings, which took a big toll on me. I work full-time on top of my Photography business, so I burn out quickly. There was a year that I shot over 30 weddings; I would be up until 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning editing, then get up at 7:00 and work a full day. Plus, I had young kids and a husband I was trying to make time for. I remember thinking, “Why am I doing this??” and that is when I had to prioritize my time and put myself first. I cut back on weddings and limited the number of new clients I took on a year. It is a balance that I still struggle with. I have a hard time saying no when it comes to my business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started as a “jack of all trades” Photographer, and I would photograph anything. In one month, I would have weddings, High School Seniors, newborns, families, maternity, pets; you name it. As I mentioned before, I had a hard time saying no. But I learned over the years that I have a niche for High School Seniors and families. That is my love and what I would prefer to focus on. I only take a handful of weddings now, and newborns must be for existing clients. I am proud of my Senior work. I have an editorial style. I have worked with models in the past, and that helped develop my love for Seniors. I can have fun and shoot a bit more edgy than I could with a newborn or a wedding. And families are just so sweet; I love visiting with the parents and their cute kiddos while I photograph them.
Pricing:
- Seniors start at $400
- Families start at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lisakellyphoto.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisakellyphoto?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057630220516
