Life & Work with Whitney Marshall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Marshall.

Hi Whitney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I only got into Photography shortly after my husband and I moved from Kentucky to Colorado Springs in July of 2019. I’ve always loved taking photos and capturing memories, but I never thought of turning it into a career until then. Prior to starting my business, I always would bug my friends and family with wanting to take photos on every trip, taking my GoPro to make video memories throughout trips and vacations, and wanting to frame or make scrapbooks of all my photos.

Before that, I was focused on finishing my Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. When we settled in Colorado Springs, I found some photography courses that caught my eye, so I decided to give it a shot. Fast forward five years later, and my photography business is thriving. I specialize in portraits and wedding photography, and I love being able to create lasting memories for my clients for generations to come! Sometimes, I wish I had started my business earlier, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason!

While there are moments of reflection where I ponder if I should have pursued this path sooner, I firmly believe in the synchronicity of life’s timing. Every step, every delay, has led me to where I am today, and for that, I am profoundly grateful. I am so grateful and thankful for where I am now in life, and that I get to build a living of my passion! I am excited to see where my business goes in the future!

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?
Starting my own photography business has been quite the journey, filled with highs and lows. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. When I first started my business, I relied heavily on self-teaching methods. I offered free model call photoshoots to get hands-on experience with my camera and posing techniques.

Being a hands-on learner, this approach was the most effective for me. I also took opportunities to second-shoot weddings with friends and scoured the internet, watching countless YouTube tutorials to master shooting in manual mode, etc. It took time and patience to learn, but I persisted.

Along the way, I faced the challenge of believing in myself and not constantly comparing my work to other Photographers. It’s a struggle I’m familiar with, but I’ve learned to grow in confidence and positivity. I believe I have this talent for a reason, and that belief fuels my passion every single day!

I am very grateful for the support and guidance from fellow vendors and friends in the industry. Their generosity has played a crucial role in my personal and business growth. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help and encouragement! Each person has contributed to my journey, and for that, I’m truly thankful!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in portrait and wedding photography across the state of Colorado, with my home base in Colorado Springs, but a willingness to travel all throughout Colorado. My photography services encompass a wide range of occasions, including couples/engagements, weddings, boudoir, family, senior, and maternity/newborn sessions.

I’m passionate about capturing life’s precious moments and documenting memories for my clients to cherish forever. Whether it’s the joy of a wedding day or the tender moments of a newborn’s arrival, I strive to immortalize the beauty of each and every occasion that life offers us!

I take great pride in the way I serve my clients through my photography business. For me, it’s not just about delivering beautiful photos; it’s about creating a lasting connection! I strive to build genuine relationships with each client that I serve, aiming to cultivate friendships that extend far beyond the initial photoshoot. I want my clients to feel valued and supported throughout their journey with me, not just during the photo session itself.

My goal is to be there to capture their family’s milestones and memories as they unfold over time. Life is filled with precious moments, and I believe every photograph holds a unique story that can transport you back to that moment in time. My wish is for my clients to experience those memories and emotions through the images I deliver, serving them with love, joy, and a passion for photography!

What are your plans for the future?
My future plans for my photography business involve transitioning to full-time photography! Currently, I balance part-time work as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), dedicating two days a week to my SLP job. The rest of my time is devoted to photography, which I am incredibly grateful for.

My ultimate goal is to grow my photography business to the point where I can pursue it full-time, living out my dream job every day of the week. I’m grateful for the supportive income from my part-time SLP work, which helps sustain my family as I work towards this goal. Photography isn’t just a job for me; it’s my passion, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to pursue it. I look forward to the day when I can fully support my family through my photography business and continue to live out my passion!

Pricing:

• Wedding Photography Package for 8 Hours = $3,600.00
• Portrait Sessions for 1 hour, 30-minute photo session (Engagements/Couples, Families, Seniors, Maternity/Newborn, Boudoir) = $450.00
• Elopements = Start at $1,000.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.whitneymphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_whitneymphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitneymphotography
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/whitmphoto/

Image Credits
www.whitneymphoto.com, whitney@whitneymphoto.com, and @_whitneymphoto