Check Out Risa Scott’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Risa Scott.

Hi Risa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a nomadic photographer specializing in actor and professional headshots, portraits, commercial products, and lifestyle imagery, as well as travel and adventure stories. I started my education as a civil engineer, progressing through a master’s program in sustainable design. After working in that industry for a little while, I started to feel that I wasn’t honoring the creative story-telling aspects of my personality.

I’ve since learned that creativity and technical skills have to coexist in my life for me to be happiest – not to mention a dash of whimsy and fun. So – I started to expand into photography and filmmaking at the same time becoming a working actor! Discovering these passions and making them my main source of income, then later my ONLY source of income, has made it a joy to ‘go’ to work every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While photography and filmmaking didn’t necessarily come from nowhere, the sudden realization that I wanted to start my own business was the more committing part of the equation. I knew that the nature of starting a creative business would make it very difficult – I’d have to be consistent, be a needed resource in my niche, and have an open understanding of the community I’d be working in.

Leaving a career like engineering behind is not easy, becoming a nomad and living the way I wanted to – none of these exactly fall into ‘social norms’ and are often looked down on. But I think part of my love of story-telling is what you find in the unknown. Stepping confidently into choices I knew I wanted to explore, even if only temporarily to see if it would work, was a huge part of loving what I do now and appreciating everything it took to get here.

It’s what’s made me feel good about making calculated chances and continuing my growth. There are endless struggles with a small business, even more, so when you combine it with things we all go through personally. But having the strong motivation to make this work and stick with it has kept me on track through all of it. I truly love what I’ve built.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I currently specialize in actor and professional headshots in several cities! I think one of the great ways to explore the art of story-telling is to embrace it from all angles – namely, actors have to tell a whole story in a single shot to get booked, and it takes a photographer who understands the industry to do that.

I’ve been a working actor for the same amount of time I’ve been working in photography. It’s been amazing to build a niche that explores this market in a very specific and needed way. I also shoot commercial and creative portraits for artists, musicians, or professionals in a huge variety of fields, students or seniors who need shots that tell the story of their personality, and I mix in commercial product and lifestyle imagery, as well as travel and adventure stories all over the world.

In any of these markets, I think what sets me apart isn’t just about telling stories. I think it’s more about the process. I really try to be completely present and listen, as well as find how best to bring out the most authentic part of the shoot. In light of current advances in AI, advertising, media, etc., I think authenticity is the key to connecting with people no matter what medium we’re working in.

I’m proud of myself for never ‘selling out’ – meaning I never went with gimmicky marketing or working with companies that compromised my morals. I’ve never said no to a client who valued my work and the culture around it. Early on, I started a Pay-What-You-Can program so I’d never be a gatekeeper between someone who needs headshots or images to get work, start their business, etc.

This program has never failed to help someone who needed it, AND it emphasized the great deal of respect I have for the hard work it takes to make acting or owning a small business a reality. I’m so glad to still be able to offer the program!

What’s next?
Business growth has been amazing the last few years and I credit so much of that to awesome clients who keep telling new people and also to my making a critical decision to make the business my career and full-time job. Getting past imposter syndrome and wondering if I should go back to engineering gave me pause for some time, but COVID was a good time to really think about what I wanted and what brings me the most joy in experiences and living. I’m really just excited to go to work each day.

Moving forward, I want to keep being a resource to actors, and through feedback, industry needs, and different partnerships I’ve been developing, there are some great opportunities to expand on what kinds of resources we can offer. Notably, I’ve expanded into video which actually is a huge growth point for all my client services, including adding a drone! I’ve added an assistant, a new studio space, and some fun new gear as well. Each win might be small, but it reminds me of how far I’ve come from where I started.

As for travel and adventure goals – last year I was able to travel to Nepal with an adventure group and I learned this year that the same company would like me to do a similar adventure retreat in Kenya, Africa! I’m very excited as both these countries have been my goals. I’ve also planned a trip to Canada and several other domestic locations for landscape and adventure travel stories or brand partnerships! I have landscape prints available and an online store will be opening soon! I’m also planning to finish a short climbing documentary we filmed most of 2023.

Pricing:

• Creative Drop-In Sessions $100
• Actor or Professional Headshots starting at $325
• Senior/Graduate Portrait Sessions $450
• Musician/Artist Promo Session $450
• Product/E-Commerce Photos starting at $175

Contact Info:

• Website: https://risascottphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risascottphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risascottphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RisaScottPhoto

Image Credits
Jonathan Slusser