Conversations with Savannah LeJeune-Stodieck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah LeJeune-Stodieck.

Hi Savannah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been running my business for four years, but I’ve been practicing photography for much longer. Like many people, I fell in love with it in high school when I took a black and white film photography class. I spent countless hours in the darkroom developing film and prints – most of my lunches were dedicated to finishing up whatever I was working on. I was hooked.

I went to college to study film production and lived in Los Angeles for a while, pursuing a career in cinematography. Eventually, I came to terms with the fact that film wasn’t my calling, and Los Angeles just wasn’t a fit for me. So, I made my way back to Colorado (my home state) and simultaneously started my wedding photography business.

It’s been a journey of ups and downs, as any entrepreneur will tell you, but I am so fortunate to have found something that I truly love to do. It sounds cheesy, but I really am in love with love! It’s incredibly special to be a part of such a momentous and intimate day for each of my couples. I’m often giggling and crying behind my camera during wedding ceremonies, sometimes at the same time. It is truly magical!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As any creative will tell you, the administrative side of the business is very challenging. Most photographers would love to take photos all day and have their business magically run itself, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Building my business has been a very bumpy ride, and there have been a thousand moments where I teetered close to throwing in the towel. All of that said, the rewards of being a business owner far exceed the challenges I meet along the way. I love working for myself and creating my own schedule. I get to witness beautiful moments and raw emotions, meet amazing and unique individuals, go to stunning places, see wild moves on the dance floor, and so much more. Even though the act of photographing weddings takes up about 5% of my time, that alone makes up for the additional 95% of difficult and time-consuming (not to mention boring!) tasks that come with running a business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer who specializes in weddings. Specifically, I focus on the many sweet little moments that make up the day, and I focus on a fun and memorable experience for my couples. My goal is to use photography as a way to help them remember such an important day in their lives without getting in the way. I work extensively with my couples before their big day to have a good understanding of what to expect so when the day comes, they get to sit back and enjoy the moments while I work around them.

I specialize in weddings because not only are they special and exciting events, but I thrive in such a fast-paced, and some might say, pressure-filled environment. I love doing other kinds of photography, too, but in the setting of a wedding, I don’t have full control over the elements I’m working with, and I’m constantly being challenged creatively. Not to mention, the adrenaline kicks in when I start to work and I am hyper-focused throughout the day. I pride myself in always going the extra mile for my couples which can include anything from fixing hair to helping bustle a dress, helping problem-solve through a last-minute change, bringing them water, or whatever else is needed in the moment. I fully believe that my couples should be having a BLAST and shouldn’t have to sweat the small stuff, so I fill in wherever I see gaps.

I also love taking portraits during the wedding day. My approach to portraits is casual and playful which makes my couples more comfortable in front of the camera and provides a fun and authentic experience for them which only adds to their already wonderful day. Plus, they look and feel natural and will have gorgeous photos to remember themselves in that moment, in their fancy clothes and makeup, feeling and being truly, madly in love.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I utilize various photography groups on Facebook to ask questions and seek advice. I also started my journey by offering my services as a photography assistant and then a second photographer (someone who the main wedding photographer brings on to take additional photos throughout the day for fuller event coverage). This allowed me to get a feel for the flow of a wedding since it is so different from a traditional photo shoot. When I was learning additional tips and tricks about photography, Youtube was and still is an excellent resource. However, when it comes to running my business, I find that being a part of a few local photography groups has been critical. Google doesn’t have the specific answers I need for running a business in my corner of the world (Denver, CO) and the community I’m a part of has many like-minded individuals who are always willing to lend a hand. It’s been a fantastic resource for me!

Contact Info:

• Email: savannah@thisfearlesslove.com
• Website: www.thisfearlesslove.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisfearlesslove/
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/thisfearlesslove/

Image Credits
Savannah LeJeune, This Fearless Love