Today we’d like to introduce you to Erlyn Miller.
Erlyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was always that person with a camera, whether it be at work, home, or in the car; but my love and enthusiasm really began when I started having grandchildren. I got myself a “real” camera, and it was then my photography journey was born. I knew I had a lot to learn, I just had NO idea how much, which now I consider a blessing in itself, otherwise, I don’t think I would have had the courage or confidence to have ever started.
My professional photography journey began in 2012, photographing children and families only; mostly for family, friends, and friends of friends. My business eventually evolved into weddings, which today makes up for over half of my business income. I have to say, taking on weddings was the scariest decision I’ve made to date. I was terrified of weddings, in fact, I would turn opportunities down; I was innately aware of weddings, there are ” no do-overs.”
Fortunately, I overcame my fear and shot a wedding and loved it! My style is “photojournalistic,” I love capturing the whole story, from start to end. I just delivered my last wedding, and the bride said she laughed and cried all the way through her pictures. I had another bride tell me that it was like seeing her wedding for the first time, and she too loved the memories I captured for them.
I’m looking forward to 2019, I’m already blessed with bookings throughout the entire year! I’m looking forward to all the new people I’m going to meet and all the new and unknown opportunities I’m going to be blessed with throughout.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A smooth road, well looking back it’s not been too bad. I always deal with confidence issues but I think my skills have developed quite nicely and I’m constantly learning and honing my skills. Love to learn! I think my biggest struggles come with networking and advertising; getting people to know of me and my work. Social media is probably my biggest source of frustration.
There’s so much out there and so much to learn with each. Facebook was great for me in the beginning, but so much has changed that I’m struggling to achieve the same exposure I once had through them. I’m beyond grateful for all the opportunities and referral business I’ve had along the way but certainly, need and welcome more opportunities to get my name and work out there to my target audiences.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
So right now, I specialize in Weddings, Families, Children and Baby Photography.
I’m extremely proud of all the new relationships I’ve developed and all the repeat business I’ve been blessed with. There is nothing more rewarding than have a client gush over your work! I still have clients from when I first started my business, that means everything to me! I’ve had clients move out of my area and come back for their Christmas pictures every year.
What sets me apart from others, I’m not sure how to answer that, but I am proud of the fact that I can put most people to ease within the first couple of minutes and that’s huge to me and them! Let’s face it, getting your picture taken can be awkward for all of us, and then from a perfect stranger, psssh. So yes, I’m proud that I can put people at ease rather quickly.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Not really, but I do wish I would have started this wonderful business way before I became a grandmother! I feel like I’m having to learn everything in warp speed!
From learning how to use a camera, learning Lightroom and Photoshop, creating and managing my own website, how to best use social media, how to best represent myself at Trade Shows and Open Houses; the list just goes on.
But I love all of this! I’ve always heard that God’s timing is perfect, so I can’t dwell on the fact that I waited so long to get started and have faith, this is his timing.
Pricing:
- Weddings: $2,100 – $4,200
- Regular Sessions: $300
- Newborns: $400
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ErlynMiller.com
- Phone: 469-363-5111
- Email: https://www.erlynmiller.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/erlynmillerphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erlynmillerphotography/
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