Life & Work with Lisa Spangler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Spangler.

Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I love sharing about how I started my photography business! I’ve always loved taking photos… in high school and college, I was always the friend with a little point-and-shoot, capturing all of the moments as they unfolded.

Fast forward a few years, to 2014. I was married, and we’d just had our first baby boy. My husband bought me my first “real” camera, a Nikon DSLR. I loved taking photos with it, but only shot on Auto and was incredibly intimidated by trying to learn Manual settings.

Fast forward a few more years, to the end of 2019. I was obsessed with a photographer located in Colorado Springs (Ashlee Kay Photography) and had won a free session with her! I loved the experience, how she captured my family, and how she created such warm, light-filled photos for us to treasure. Ashlee started offering a Photography 101 course that was perfect for me! I learned all about my camera, the settings, and how to frame things. I was taking photos every day!

By August of 2020, I was 100% in. I decided that I wanted to be a photographer, and felt confident that I could make it work. So I created a website, I immediately made my business legal with an LLC and I posted about my new business on Facebook!

At this point, I had taken photos of my children and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, so I didn’t have much of a portfolio. But anyone local who congratulated me on my new business reached out to me and asked to give them a free session in exchange for me using their photos and them recommending me to others. That did it! My business quickly took off and expanded from there.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have found that for me, jumping in and investing in my business has paid huge dividends. Overall, it’s been an incredibly smooth road, and I’ve been so thankful! I have invested in courses, mentors, graphic design, new gear, and friendships, and am always learning and growing!

This photography journey has brought me some incredible friends, and has given me confidence in who I am and how I can serve my clients!

What matters most to you? Why?
I always want to be sure that my clients feel seen, beautiful, and cared for, and I of course want them to be happy with their final photos! It is the most fun to be able to create beautiful memories and art for my clients to treasure forever!

Pricing:

• Weddings: Starting at $3400
• Family Sessions: $550
• Extended Family Sessions: $800
• Engagement Sessions $750

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lisajoyphotography.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisajoyphotography/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lisajoyphotography/

Image Credits
Ashlee Kay Photography and Lisa Joy Photography