Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Swan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Beth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story is almost 10 years in the making. It’s totally cliche, but I’ve had some sort of camera in my hands from as far back as I can remember. When I was in high school, I got my first DSLR, a Canon 30D. At the time, my family couldn’t afford to get my older sister’s senior portraits made, so I did them for her. I fell in love with portraiture from that moment on. After high school, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to chase my photography dream. I got a job at the JCPenney Portrait Studio in Dallas and worked shooting newborns, families, and the occasional engagement session.
A couple came in and loved their engagement session so much, they asked if I did weddings. I said, “Of course!” I shot my first wedding in January of 2011 and since that day, my passion has just been reignited. To be honest, it took a TON of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m a self-taught photographer, and that comes with all of the trials and failures you’d expect. Because I didn’t finish college, I kept learning in other ways: workshops, YouTube tutorials, working for free, finding and changing my style, etc. I knew that becoming complacent and being “good enough” would never be good enough for me, so I just kept progressing.
In 2017 I decided to specialize in Weddings + Couples only, and I haven’t looked back. I love being surrounded by people in love. I am obsessed with capturing once in a lifetime moments. I live for the raw emotion (and also the wedding cake). To say it’s been an easy road would be a complete lie. It’s been a challenge, but I’m not one to give up easy. I built my business from the ground up.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nope! To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing when I started out. I had the mindset that I had a professional camera, and everything I already had (one lens, one battery, one 4gb memory card, and my pop up flash) was enough. I didn’t want to invest in my business. I thought that since I had already booked weddings on my own that second shooting/assisting was beneath me. I was so cocky about everything in the beginning, but now I shudder when I see my first images. Haha. Once I humbled myself, I could see the changes that were made. Never be afraid to ask for help!
Please tell us about Swan Photography.
My business is Swan Photography and I am based in Fort Worth + Worldwide. I specialize in Love Stories: Weddings, Engagements, Anniversaries, and Couples. If it involves a couple in love or a wedding, I shoot it. I work primarily in the DFW metroplex, but I also am obsessed with traveling for Destination Weddings. My tagline is “Romantic. Fun. Real.” and that’s what I’m known for: romantic images with a splash of fun that capture the real you.
As I’m sure you know, the DFW photography market is HUGE and setting yourself apart can be difficult. I believe what sets me apart is my editing style, that I’m easy to relate to, and my exceptional customer service. When I book a couple for their wedding, I’m along for the entire ride. We laugh together, we cry together, we party together. At the end of the process, they’re not only my clients but my friends.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would change my mindset. As I stated earlier, I was so stuck up. I thought I was better than everyone, even though that was the farthest from the truth. You truly need to be humble and never ever think that you’re better than anyone else. Community over the competition. Never be afraid to ask for help. Never become complacent. NEVER stop learning!
Pricing:
- Portraits start at $300 + tax and include a 1-hour session, 1 additional outfit change, professional photo editing, personal online gallery, digital download of all edited high-resolution images, quick turnaround time, and a la carte print options.
- Destination Portraits: $500 + tax + travel. Includes 4 hours on location, 2 additional outfit changes, and everything else included in my standard portrait sessions.
- Simple Package: 6 hours of Wedding & Reception coverage, 1 photographer, professional photo editing, personal online gallery, digital download of all edited high-resolution images, quick turnaround time, a la carte print options. $1,800 + tax.
- Basic Package: Engagement session, 6 hours of Wedding & Reception coverage, 2 photographers, professional photo editing, personal online galleries, digital download of all edited high-resolution images, quick turnaround time, a la carte print options, 20 page 8×8 wedding album. $2,800 + tax.
- Deluxe Package: Engagement session, 8 hours of Wedding & Reception coverage, 2 photographers, professional photo editing, personal online galleries, digital download of all edited high-resolution images, quick turnaround time, a la carte print options, 20 page 8×8 Engagement album, 30 page 10×10 Wedding album. $3,600 + tax.
- Divine Package: Engagement session, Bridal session, 8 hours of Wedding & Reception coverage, 2 photographers, professional photo editing, personal online galleries, digital download of all edited high resolution images, quick turnaround time, a la carte print options, 20 page 8×8 Engagement album, 40 page 12×12 Wedding album, 2 matching 8×8 Parent Albums. $4,600 + tax.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://swanphotographytx.com
- Email: swanphotographytx@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/swanphototx
- Facebook: Facebook.com/swanphotographytx
- Other: Pinterest.com/Beth_Swan
Image Credit:
Swan Photography
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