Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Miller.
Allie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In the fall of 2012 and after working in the health field for many years, I knew my life was lacking some purpose and so, I decided to walk away from that career and dove unknowingly into entrepreneurship.
Taking control of my life, I mean like totally walking away, from what I knew as safe [biweekly paychecks, benefits, schedules, etc.] In a leap of faith, I opted to start a photography business… It made sense since I had experience it being one of my favorite hobbies for decades.
Well, the rules changed, because when your own a business, your work is your main and only source of income, you have to think quick and become versed in all of the business legalities, developing a strategy to make it work and this all includes networking as well as ingenious marketing directives to engage with paying clients.
When you are passionate about something and you believe in yourself, and you want it bad enough… You are very creative and you make it work! Letting go of a solid health career to go into the unknown, building from zero, it allows you to be resourceful and strong in you character in business.
Basically, I started working my buns off, doing a lot of collaborative unpaid work to build a solid portfolio, and this happened while managing a strong business strategy and pursuing professional level in education, such as taking classes, attending seminars, conferences, and workshops.
I am very thankful for the journey, along the way, I have made some valuable friendships who have allowed my growth in my worth, both personally and in my work.
With every season my business kept growing and so did my experience and the inspiration [how can one not get inspired?] I started traveling for paid work, and this helped me become a destination photographer – I now operate in two states with divisions that cater to my clients across the levels of service I felt most passionate about: Weddings and Commercial.
It has been a long road, but definitely, it has been something that I could never let go of. I have amazing clients and I work hard for my clients, business my family. I am able to dictate the course of my days, and my work. I appreciate a life that offers more than working long shifts and holidays – I get to be part of incredible moments in other’s happy days as well as to be part of some amazing projects.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A good dream doesn’t come without the hustle and definitely, the challenges have morphed the business and my life at many levels. After so many years I no longer obsessively worry about ‘what is next?’ One thing I have learned is that planning a strategy is highly important.
In my business, equipment is a high priority – The beginning pieces of equipment were not designed to handle lower lighting found at venues, and other spaces, while they worked fine for a while , they were not optimal for the kind of assignments we were beginning to book.
Not wanting to finance equipment and buying it with the money we saved, also created the need to re-adjust investment schedules and learning to make profit work for the growth. We ended short terming the financing of equipment – Final result no debt.
In this business are high seasons and slow seasons, that is why we opted to launch the divisions, it helped tremendously with the needs at hands after experiencing one very slow season.
With a business come the legalities – Contracts had to be strong, and so investing in a lawyer was primordial. Although, I have not experienced a legal loss ever, I’ve seen it and it can be scary.
Harshly learned the importance of cost vs. profit – What involved to be a profitable entrepreneur – it was not about booking the gigs making the money and spending it. Learned that Liability insurance is very important and should be priority in your list, it becomes so necessary when you are doing work on locations – like venues or other business places.
Please tell us about Allie Miller Photography.
In my story, I have shared that weddings and commercial work are my true love. They both offer different opportunities to work in different dynamic sets – With weddings I have the chance to spend valuable time during a very memorable day in my client’s life: Their wedding day These days are filled with many memories – first times, heirlooms, generational gifts, details that speak of their love story, how it all began along with the planned celebrations, moments with family and friends, happily dancing and sharing all the joy!
With commercial work, dynamics are a bit more structured – Our clients look for branding imaging and this have planning and we work with a team that includes hair, makeup, styling and set assistant – the tempo is different. Our work is a bit more directed and planned as our client is looking for a specific outcome.
As a brand, we are proud to harvest great relationships across the line of work we provide – keeping in mind our focus while continuing to grow with extraordinary care to serve our clients. We offer on-location services – we travel to our clients and take our studio to them if need be – it all about service, service, service!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, perhaps I would definitely invest in a business coach – someone with the experience that could allow me to learn more about the journey in business ownership while being creative.
Pricing:
- Weddings investment price point begins at $3375,00
- Commercial – Headshots and branding investment price point begins at $225.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alliemillerweddings.com, www.amilercommercial.com
- Phone: 9103054501
- Email: allie@amillerfoto.com
- Instagram: @alliemillerphotography
- Twitter: @amillerfoto
Image Credit:
Photography by Jaime L
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