Conversations with Avery Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Williams.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had an interest in photography. It started in high school when my friends and I would go to coffee shops & bring my mom’s old camera to take photos of ourselves. When I graduated high school I used my graduation money to buy my first camera, mainly so I could have better quality photos for my Instagram. This was the best decision I ever made. In college, I joined a sorority and would bring my camera to all the events, which then led to seniors asking me if I would do their grad photos.

This brought my hobby to a growing business. On July 4th, 2022, my boyfriend and I packed up everything in Texas and moved to the beautiful state of Colorado.

We decided to make the move because I wanted to have better scenery for my photos and to get more into elopement photography. The business has boomed since moving here! I could not be happier with my clients, the local scenery, and all of the relationships with vendors/local businesses I have made since coming here. I also manage social media for a few businesses and use my camera to capture most of the content. I also have started a wedding planning business with my boyfriend’s sister Jenna Sloan, “Mahoney Moments.”

I believe this has helped me meet more vendors to grow my photography as well as connect with more clients. My main focus when working with clients is to make the experience easy and fun. I have a very quick turnaround time for my galleries, and it is very important to me to keep this part of my business the same, even as I grow bigger. I am so thankful for the opportunities Colorado has brought me.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I started my business professionally, I was based in Corpus Christi, TX. Then when the pandemic hit I moved to the Houston area to be closer to family. This transition was hard because I had to figure out a way to promote myself without having “word of mouth” to help me book sessions. I started by using the Facebook marketplace to promote the fall photos I was offered and from there I continued to book those families. By using locations and hashtags on Instagram, more people were able to find me and book!

When I decided to make the big move to Colorado Springs, the same worries came about starting over in a new state where I knew no one. I started posting a few photos with locations here, and very quickly started booking young families. Since then, I have continued booking those same families, and have met so many new and amazing clients. I also have reached out to a few local businesses offering to do photos to promote them as well! One I continuously work closely with is Bad and Boozy Yoga Studio, a great small business that loves using my photos and I am so grateful to them and their support of me.

One of my most common bookings is from travelers wanting photos at Garden of the Gods on their vacation. I always feel so special when travelers choose me for this. I would say after almost a year of living here business is doing amazing and I built it up faster than I could’ve imagined.

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 specialize in couples/family photography. For couples, this can mean just a 30-minute/hour session or elopements and weddings.

I have a very relaxed way of communicating with my clients and they are always welcome to text me, with questions/advice, and of course, send inspirational photos! With families, I love capturing the kiddos and continue to work with the families to see them grow, such a special feeling when clients re-book. I think what sets me apart is my personality and my “all in” attitude for every session that is booked with me. I want the clients to feel listened to, and important. Also, my fast turnaround time is a huge plus for clients! I get feedback about that all the time, and love the way I can make that happen, even as I grow!

I have also recently started offering 1 complimentary Polaroid per session and 5 complimentary Polaroids per wedding/elopement! I have been obsessed with Polaroid film since early high school and have so many collected over the years. So I wanted to offer something tangible to my clients in a world where everything is digital.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think I am a big risk-taker and always encourage others to “just do it.” We moved here and stayed at an Airbnb until we found an apartment, knew no one locally, and just had faith we could make it work.

Not only did I take a big risk moving states, but I also try to be creative within each session to attract new/different clientele. You want to keep your clients excited about your work and what you will do next.

Pricing:

• 30-minute session – $150 + tax
• 1-hour session – $250 + tax
• Elopement – $300/hour
• Microwedding – 3-hour minimum starting at $700
• Wedding – 8-hour coverage starting at $1900

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alwphotography.biz/
• Instagram: @_alwphotography