Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Steinhouse.
Erica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in rural IL and I started photographing at the age of 16 when I first got my first camera! The rest was history after that, taking any photo class in high school I possibly could. After high school, I decided to go to college for photography at Columbia College Chicago. I explored so many different mediums of photography in college but my FAVORITE was working with people. Portraits became my biggest passion. I interned for a fashion/lifestyle photographer who changed the game for me. I knew I wanted that for the rest of my life. After college I stayed in IL for a few years and began shooting weddings, engagements and children. I moved to Colorado to further my career in photography. I knew I wanted to build an empire for myself out here and do what I love most, photography. I’m building my brand and clients from the ground up out here and I’m excited to continue growing my career in the mountains.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been decently smooth ride but A LOT of hard work! There are always struggles and it is always a hustle in the photography world! I spent years getting to where I am today and sometimes I never thought I would be where I’m at. But I made it here and I’m proud and I’m constantly working harder to get better. You have to truly have a passion for what you do and live up to it. You have to continue to learn every day and invest in your career. You will never have all the answers, so it’s so important to keep challenging yourself. If I have any advice for young women coming into this industry it’s to be authentically yourself! Be true to yourself, set goals for yourself and keep pushing. If you have the drive you will make it far. Business is not always going to be perfect, you have to constantly invest your time and dedication to make it work and build clients! Put your personality into your business and I promise you will stick out compared to others. Another word is advice is remember to stay inspired. Don’t let other photographer’s work intimidate you, let it inspire you to work harder!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Erica Steinhouse Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I dedicated myself as a photographer to work with people. I LOVE people! I specialize in portraiture. Specifically, weddings, engagements, kids and lifestyle. I have a pretty out there personality and I realized pretty early on that I love communicating, I am not shy at all!! I love getting to know people and hearing their stories amazes me. What better way to hear someone’s story than actually photographing it and show their story?! That’s what draws me to photographing people. I love the fact I get to capture their big moment in time that I know they are gonna share to the world. When I was in college, I was known for my fashion work. I loved fashion but I knew it wasn’t my passion.
When I started photographing weddings and engagement, I started to realize I had an awesome eye for it and it’s just so FUN. I’m known mostly now for my wedding work. I’m most proud of my wedding and engagement work. There is honestly something so special to me about getting a couple to share their love in front of the camera. I love directing couples and getting those adorable organic candid moments!! What set’s me apart from others as a photographer is that I give my clients an experience. I have a style I think many clients and potential clients choose me for but in the end it’s the experience I give to them! I like to show my personality in my work and during my shoots, I love try new things, get clients to understand me and let me into their life. I not only want to photograph the big moments, I want them to know they have a friend! I want them to feel like I am their best friend tagging along for their life adventure.
As corny as it sounds, my motto is “You’ve got a friend in me!” like from Toy Story, My goal is and will always be communication. I want them to know their important and have them come back to me to photograph more of their life milestones!
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
1. Be open to opportunities that come your way!
You have to face new opportunities head on. You never know where a job might lead you. Try something new that might be out of your comfort zone. Every opportunity will lead you in a direction you might have not expected.
2. Embrace failure
You will not always get the results you want, the clients won’t always be happy. Embrace it and OWN IT! Learn from your rough times and get back up and keep going. It’s okay to fail as long as you get back up and ride the wave!
3. Challenge yourself
Overcome every obstacle that comes in your way. Try to do the impossible. Push yourself to be better everyday.
4. Set goals for your business.
Start small but work your way up. Try daily, weekly, and monthly goals and see where it takes you!
5. Do you, be you!
You are unique in your own way, show that In everything you do.
6. Confidence is key!
Practice confidence mindsets. Prove to you and everyone around you that you can do it. Confidence will push you farther than anything else. Believe in yourself and you will make the impossible, possible!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ericasteinhouse.com
- Email: ericasteinhouse@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasteinhousephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricaSteinhousePhotography/
Image Credit:
Erica Steinhouse Photography
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