Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Normand.
Hi Monika, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have been a full-time branding photographer in Dallas for the past 4 years, and I truly love what I do. I get to help personal brands, small businesses, and commercial brands create beautiful content and grow their businesses. I started my business in 2017 as a wedding and portrait photographer in Massachusetts and have pivoted to primarily serving brands for the past 3 years after moving to Texas. Although I now have over 10 years of photography experience, I never went to school for photography, business, or marketing. For me, navigating the journey to becoming a successful business owner consisted of a ton of trial and error, hard work, drive, and personal growth. In 2022, I started mentoring photographers and other creatives on how navigate that same journey with confidence, successful marketing skills, and an efficient workflow. Teaching and helping people are two things that bring me so much joy, and I’m excited to see where this coaching journey takes me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being in a creative field, there are no clear benchmarks or checkpoints along the way to “success”. It has been difficult to know the “right” next steps during so many points in my photography career. Am I doing the right thing? Where should I be focusing my time, energy, money, attention? Am I good/talented/interesting enough? These are the types of questions that came up constantly when I started my business and that still occasionally cross my mind today. I think it’s important to normalize these feelings and also know that it’s good to be self-reflective when it comes to looking at your role in your business success. But too much negative energy/self-talk can really hinder your business growth. We really do get in our own way and prevent our own success more than we realize.
There are many little pitfalls I could dive into to answer this question, but this overarching theme of learning to trust in yourself and not question every decision you make is the biggest lesson for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a branding photographer specializing in commercial brands, personal brands, and hospitality-based businesses. I’m known for my bright, vibrant editing style and being able to capture my clients’ personalities in an honest, authentic way. I am most proud of my ability to relate to people, make them feel seen, and help them feel confident in front of the camera. I think my personality puts people at ease because I am organized and attentive but also down to earth, accepting, and love to make people laugh. I feel that my extensive experience working with so many different types of business owners enables me to serve new clients in a knowledgeable and unique way compared to other photographers. I am well-versed in successful marketing strategies, I know what goes into creating a successful brand, and I am able to help my clients navigate a seamless and productive photoshoot whether they are just starting a brand-new business or have been running a successful company for decades.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was shy growing up, studious, and creative. I laughed all the time and remember so many times where my friends and I laughed until our cheeks physically hurt. I enjoyed being outside and loved any expression of art – photography, painting, drawing, playing guitar, you name it. I’ve overcome being shy (although I still consider myself more of an introvert), but I think it’s funny as I write out this response how all of these childhood personality traits play a role in where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://monikanormandphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monika_normand_creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monikanormandcreative
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@monikanormandcreativellc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/monika-normand-creative-dallas?osq=Product+Photography
- Other: https://monikanormandphoto.com/photography_mentorship/
Image Credits
Monika Normand Creative LLC
Suz Media
