Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Schloe.
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to share how you got started.
My mom encouraged me to take a film class back in high school (2005) after awing over her film work from her school years. I borrowed her 35mm film camera — I fell in love with it! And later, I was inspired to enroll in a college film class through my Studio Art degree. From my class, we had assignments that sometimes involved models, especially when I got into the more advanced digital camera classes. From one friend to another, I had many asking me to take photos of them, especially around graduation time!
After I graduated from James Madison University (GO DUKES!!) in 2011 with the intention of using my graphic design degree to work for the government, my heart kept leaning back toward photography. Local friends in Virginia reached out to me, so I invested in more equipment and workshops to grow. One dear photographer friend of mine asked me to second shoot a wedding, and after I delivered the photos, she encouraged me to take on my first solo wedding. In 2012, I became obsessed with documenting weddings/love stories!! I’m grateful for the push out of my comfort zone of just photographing senior/family portraits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s an exciting journey being your own boss, but there are both unexpected and expected struggles. When I first started, I experienced a lot of sleepless nights working a full-time job while also building my business after work and on weekends. I got to the point where I had to find a balance because I was struggling being *too* busy. I finally established limits and a routine by only booking 2-3 sessions a week and reserving 1-2 weddings for the weekend. These boundaries actually ended up benefitting my business and personal life!
When my husband, Alex, and I married in 2019, I relocated my six-figure business from Virginia to Florida (hello, military life!). I kept my business going in Virginia, but I had to limit the number of weddings out of state, so I wasn’t traveling every other week. I took a pay cut with the intention of growing my business on the Gulf Coast. When I finally started seeing my work pay off and received frequent local inquiries, it was time to move to Colorado (hello, military life)!
In 2021, we moved to Colorado, and after being here for over a year (with no plans of moving again for a long time), I’m encountering new struggles. Due to the distance and having an active toddler, I limited the number of bookings even more on the east coast. I’m relying on more local work without an established network base which is challenging. And with my light and airy style, I’ve noticed an abundance of dark and moody editing styles here in Colorado which seem to resonate with many couples/families. But instead of being stagnant, I’m pushing myself in new ways and thinking of new opportunities this season.
The word of the year for my business is “rebuild.” I’m currently rebuilding my website to leverage more Colorado weddings, expanding my business to take on associate photographers on the east coast, and connecting with more local vendors to establish a network and create a new homebase for my business. At times I feel as if I am rebuilding my business all over again but I know that it will be worth it! I have learned to always go the extra mile for my clients and everything else will just work itself out!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Colorado Springs, CO and have been enthusiastically documenting authentic, personal, and romantic connections since 2012. I also love to travel and will travel anywhere to obtain the perfect shot! I continue to make regular trips back to Virginia, where my business began to photograph weddings, portraits and stay connected with family, friends, and my network.
Being an entrepreneur is hard work! But I am so proud to see how far I have come since that original photography class in high school! I could not be more honored to have had the opportunity to document some of the most intimate moments in the lives of my clients and to provide them with images they will cherish forever!
What sets me apart from others? I had to refer to my client reviews to answer this! Past families/couples raved about how seamless the process was from start to finish and how we connected on several occasions before we met in person! They also raved about my passion/enthusiasm, making it a fun, upbeat experience! Standing in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking, but I enjoy making it fun, effortless, and beautiful!!! Clients come to me saying they were attracted to my ability to document the candid, in-between moments while helping pose with my professional guidance. I strive to give each family/couple a personal client experience every time I step behind my camera!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
1) NEVER stop learning/growing. Even after 10+ years of business, I’m still learning and growing. If you stop learning, you will stop growing. Be hungry and teachable. Analyze how you can better serve your clients to have RAVING clients each year. Be open for feedback — It can be hard to receive constructive criticism, but it’s great to see how you can improve through the eyes of your clients.
2) Don’t compare your beginnings to someone else’s success. Success is defined differently for every entrepreneur. Go into business with a genuine, excited servant’s heart. It’s always exciting and scary to start something new, but it takes dedication and sacrifice to continue the momentum of your business year after year. Beat the odds and grow a thriving business that will bless your clients and your family!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stephaniemessick.com
- Instagram: @stephaniemessickphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemessickphotography
