“Human connection means everything to me, I believe in divine timing and the fact that we’re all connected in a really beautiful, kismet, and unexplainable way. Beyond that, I’m a creator at heart, a video producer and photography hobbyist turned international elopement and intimate wedding photographer that is madly in love with capturing love.” The upstate New Yorker born turned Carolinian, said. She currently serves North Carolina along with the coast, and honestly “anywhere my couples decide they want to say I do.”

Leandra started her LLC a few years ago never wanting to do big weddings, being a “competitive extrovert that craves deep connection and having struggled with anxiety and ADHD thorough life”, she says she was uninterested in the idea of shooting big, staged, commercial-ish weddings. She vowed (pun intended) to only shoot other small businesses and brands, and couples. A few months before the pandemic hit in the US, she decided she wanted to try capturing elopements and intimate weddings, “I thought I’d put my fear of a ‘saturated market’ and limited belief about what I was cable of down and decided to go all in.” she proclaimed.

Leandra wanted to share her definition of elopement. “In my eyes, an elopement is a fantastic way to honor your unique love story, a path to vow your partnership to your forever person in a fun, personalized & meaningful way.” We learned that elopements no longer hold that runaway, secretive, frowned upon meaning that we once gave it. “It is an unparalleled intimate wedding experience that allows the focus to be on the love & connection between the couple, and what they want,” Leandra said. “I love capturing elopements because they’re not just for one kind of person, they are for anyone and everyone that values connection over things and quality time, an epic experience and an adventure with your soulmate over the decor, guests, social expectations or “norm,” she said. Leandra is passionate about helping couples have the wedding day of their dreams in a way that works for them, without all the fuss. “I believe they are the best way to get married” she stated. “I believe that creating a day that is authentic to you two and honoring your legacy in a way that feels special, relaxed, and memorable is always going to not only lend space for photographs that will live on as artistic heirlooms for years to come but will actually bring you closer as a couple and showcase the real commitment that you’re making better than a big wedding ever could,” Leandra said.

After learning about elopements, we asked about her brand and what it means to her. “My brand is about more than just intimate wedding and elopement photography, it’s about capturing a legacy. It matters to me that the little moments, glances & touches of couples love is captured, not just the posed moments. It matters to me that my couples KNOW that the person on the other side of the lens has their best interest at heart and is going to capture the all the intimacy, soul & romance in a way that makes them fall in love all over again for years to come I became obsessed with visual storytelling when I lived in Belgium, the multitude of cultures made me realized we all have a story that’s worth telling.” She says she would describe her style as soulful, candid and nostalgic.

Leandra’s love of helping couples have a small wedding that feels more natural for them and her passion for storytelling has her booking elopements in Colorado, Italy, and New York. “My goal is to create heirloom-quality memories and turn them into art..art that turns into legacies while creating lasting relationships in the process.” She holds the unique belief that timeless and extraordinary photographs look and FEEL different when they are created by someone that truly honors and connects with the couple’s love story.

What it was like owning and building her photography empire in such a short time!

Building a photography business is so much more than “taking pretty pictures.” I’ve had people ask, “what do you do when it’s raining?! Must be a great gig.” I used to get frustrated with these comments but now I just rest easy knowing I have the best job in the world and we’re all making it up as we go anyway” She expressed the importance of brand identity and why it is so important for photographers, not just for recognition or to be “cohesive” on Instagram, either. “Your brand is so much more than fonts and colors. Your brand is YOU and this is especially important for wedding and elopement photographers because you are going to be someone’s right-hand person on one of the most important & special days of their life. I believe that sharing your personality in your brand is essential to allow your dream clients to connect with you!” Leandra said! She also offers photography coaching for other soulful photographers and emphasized that this is something she loves teaching because she believes each photographer has something truly unique to share that some couple out there truly needs.

What’s the future of Leandra Creative Co. Photography?

My vision for the future of this business is big, and I don’t want to share too much because I’m a total dreamer” she laughed. “Right now I’m just excited to continue moving more into international destination elopements with rad couples in love and serving my people the best I can!”

What if someone reading this wants to take the leap to start their own biz?

Go get it, she said! “If you’re thinking of taking the jump and starting your own business, please do it. The world needs your greatness! I wish someone kicked me to do it years before I did and now I feel so aligned with my purpose. It’s always going to be scary, it will not be scary. Nothing amazing ever came from our little bubble of comfort, right?! But it doesn’t have to be as hard as we make seem it in our minds. I’m not saying that they’re aren’t long nights, stressful days, and sacrifices, but it’s worth every second. You’re worth it!”

Company Name: Leandra Creative Co. Photography

Email Address : hello@leandracreativeco.com

Website : leandracreativeco.com

Instagram : www.instagram.com/leandracreativecophoto

The post It’s the New Way to Get Married: Insights From a Published Elopement Photographer, Leandra Creative Co. Photography. appeared first on CEO Medium.

Who you are and what you do?

My name is Amanda McNaughton, though today most know me as Amanda Mary. I am a 32-year-old photographer and entrepreneur based out of Nelson, BC. My greatest passion in life is helping people to be, and feel, seen. So, after a decade working as a freelance photographer, I founded Amanda Mary Creative for fellow creatives, makers, designers, side-hustlers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and businesses who are ready to build a business that loves them back! My business is about so much more than creating gorgeous photos. Each session is carefully crafted to help my clients elevate their message, spark a connection with the right people, and help them uncover the confidence they need to reach that next level. Think of me as your very own, and incredible tenacious, brand cheerleader. 

How did you create your brand? What was the idea, or inspiration behind it?

Amanda Mary Creative was conceived during a moment of blunt honesty. 

I started my photography journey in 2004, under the red, muted lights of my high school’s darkroom with the dream of becoming a wildlife photographer. After obtaining a BFA in Photographic Study from Toronto’s acclaimed Ryerson University, an internship with Canadian Geographic, and countless freelance assignments over the course of a decade, I realized that I wasn’t actively chasing the dream I so adamantly proclaimed I wanted. It wasn’t the steep competition that was holding me back… it was me. Determined, dedicated, “I can make anything happen if I work hard enough” me. So I decided to “find my why” Simon Sinek style, to uncover what my true passion was. And goodness did I! From the moment I discovered my “why”  I let my aspiration of becoming a wildlife photographer go (happily might I add!) in favor of something even greater. I turned my focus to others and started to build a brand dedicated to helping them succeed.

How does your brand work?

I truly believe that if you want to be it, you need to see it. Photography offers creatives, makers, entrepreneurs, and businesses an incredible opportunity to build confidence in their brand. Confidence in both their right people and confidence in themselves! I offer a variety of services, each tailored to the unique needs of my clients. While the exact process may differ between brand, interior, and my new Ship & Shoot sessions, my approach is always the same: to deliver outstanding results, cultivate a culture of confidence, create wildly successful clients, support a community mindset (community over the competition every dang day!), to operate with transparency, and be bold. These core values shape how Amanda Mary Creative exists in the world, and how I, as it’s founder, approach every opportunity. 

What advice would you like to share with our readers?

I love hats, and a good wool one is certainly a wardrobe staple. But that doesn’t mean you have to wear all of them! The expectations we put on today’s ‘preneurs to envision, create, manage, market, and sustain a business is unbearable. Instead of trying to DIY every damn thing, remember that your time has incredible value. Every moment spent outside your zone of genius (aka. your unique intersection of passion and talent) is one less moment (or likely more!) you get to spend refining your skills and doing what you love. I learnt this the hard way in building my own website. After months of hard work, I was left with something passable. If I had outsourced that work I would have a website that works for me, and the weeks I spend trying to learn complex back-end-coding could have been much better invested. If coding, brand design, photography, marketing, social media, or bookkeeping aren’t “your thing,” do yourself a favour and outsource it! It’s so damn worth it. Trust me.

What are some of the challenges you went through while building your business? What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis?

Ironically, confidence. I’m an enneagram one, which makes me a critical perfectionist. So I completely understand how hard it is to leap out on your own! The truth is, you will never feel 100% “ready” to chase those goals. And even when you do manage to take that leap, thoughts of self-doubt will always creep in. The good news is, we all feel it, so at least we are in good company!

On a day-to-day basis, I spend a lot of time educating others about the value of professional photography. There are a lot of misconceptions out there and misguided opinions often feel disheartening. Photography is a thriving industry without any real regulation. With the influx of digital, photography has become a complex world with a wide range of skills and experience. By building honest dialogue around fair credit, market value, copyright law, and the incredible advantage an established expert bring to the table, I hope to help build a strong and supportive community that is empowered to make the right choice when it comes to the needs of their unique brand and business. 

How do you manage your finances through the services you offer? Did you receive any funding?

Until recently, whenever finances came up I would run the other way. “I’m a creative,” I would say, “I don’t do numbers.” Cue constant anxiety! But when I decided to take Amanda Mary Creative full-time last year, I knew I’d have to tackle my fear of spreadsheets. Through a local community program, I drafted a business plan, budget, and made cash-flow predictions for the next two years. It wasn’t easy, but knowing the numbers is a key aspect of building a sustainable (not-to-mention profitable) business. Today, I know how many clients I need to take on to meet my financial needs on both a personal and business level. Knowing this enables me to book the right number of sessions and ensures I don’t overcommit my time and energy. If I want wildly successful clients, I need to be 100% there for each and every one of them! As an added bonus, this community program also provided start-up funding to help take the weight off of my shoulders for my first 48 weeks. 

What is your vision for the future? 

Some big plans are already in place for 2021!  An exciting brand and website refresh with the talented ladies at The Coast Kit are heading your way this spring. (If you are looking to create a strong brand, website, or social presence check them out! And if you want to DIY with one of their templates, be sure to use my code “AMANDAMARY15” for a little bonus) With it, I’ll also be launching my new Ship & Shoot product photography service. This means you don’t need to be a Kootenay local to work with me! Now, more than ever, it’s critical for businesses to have a strong online presence. Ship & Shoot will allow me to work with brands across the globe so that I can help them communicate with confidence and create the right impact.

I’m on a mission to help others thrive. In the next five years, I hope to stand as an example of what is possible when you toss fear, competition, and perfectionism to the wind, choosing instead to believe in yourself and the unique zone of genius you offer.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about creating something of their own, and making a living at it?

Do it! Failure isn’t something to be afraid of, never trying to become the person you dream of becoming is. So give yourself permission to try, permission to grow, and permission to fall (just get back up!). And if fear is taking up too much brain space, remember the words of the ever-iconic Moira Rose, “worry, is but undernourished enthusiasm.”

Company name: Amanda Mary Creative

Email Address: hello@amandamarycreative.com

Website: amandamarycreative.com

Instagram: @amandamarycreative 

The post See It, Be It. An Interview with Amanda Mary Creative appeared first on CEO Medium.

Although she’s done some acting and writing, her full-time business is photography. Cat is a 15- year, experienced photographer. From a photographer assistant to Celebrity Photographer Derek Blanks to opening up her studio in Atlanta, Ga. Since then Cat has photographed some great names in the industry like Jacob Latimore, Akon, T.I, Rick Ross, Angela Simons, Steve Smith, Jerome Bettis, Mike Epps, (Americas Next top model) Keith Carlos and the cast, Young Joc, Meme Faust, Karlie Redd, Jamie Grace and many more. 

Tell us how you created this brand and what was the sole idea behind it.

If you check my Instagram page you would see in my bio that I am not your average photographer. I don’t say that in a way that I think I’m the best because there are so many amazing photographers out there but because I always try to give a little more. My heart is not just in photography but also in helping others. I put them both together and my clients can truly feel that. My clients come in for more than just a photoshoot but also a different experience.

It’s so many people that prolong the process of getting started with their goals and dreams. Most wait for that perfect moment or when they are “ready”. I think it’s best to jump when the passion is there. You will grow along the way, but you will never grow if you have yet to plant the seed.

Explain the challenges you went through while you were working on brand creation. What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis?

As an entrepreneur or may I say “human”, we will face different challenges. The best part is that you learn how to get through those challenges as you grow. Challenges also create ways for me to get creative. I seem to always think outside of the box when faced with challenges.

How do you manage your finances through the services you offer. Any fundings etc received?

Being an entrepreneur requires you to manage your finances a little differently. Income is not always consistent. However, you can be more consistent when managing your money. Meaning, be more consistent with saving and budgeting your money. Also, take your business seriously. Open up business accounts, record income, and expenses, get a financial advisor, and start telling your money where to go.

Tell us your future vision about the brand. How far do you want to take it? What is your dream about taking it to the next level?

Currently, I own my studio downtown in Atlanta. My vision is to create another studio for more creatives to work. A studio that has everything a client and photographer would need. 

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

For anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it, do it! Don’t worry about it being overly saturated. Don’t worry about the support of others. Just don’t worry. Anything that you are passionate about, will work out. It will work out because you don’t mind giving your time to something you enjoy. Don’t waste too much time giving your time to something that doesn’t make you happy. Define your happiness and don’t allow anyone to define what that means to you.

For more information visit: www.CatHarperPhotography.com

The post Catherine Harper Talks About Photography and The Passion Behind it. appeared first on CEO Medium.

She currently owns and operates “Tristan Duplichain Photography LLC.” Tristan has recently expanded her company to help more than just photographers, but entrepreneurs by teaching them the importance of social media. Utilizing podcasting, YouTube, and other platforms, Tristan has grown her business from the ground up.

What is your entrepreneur’s story?

Reverting back to childhood, I remember not coming from much.

My mom supported her and me in a two-bedroom apartment in what is now considered the worst part of Jackson. 

I never had a bad childhood, in fact, my parents gave us all they could and provided us with food, shelter, and love. I was homeschooled, went to church, hung out with friends every weekend. It was pretty normal.

Growing up in a trailer, I couldn’t help but feel weird when going to my friends’ houses. Not exactly realizing their homes were different than mine, but their family was a higher class than my middle-income family. I couldn’t help but feel less than sometimes.

Since 15 years old I’ve had the drive to work and make my own money, never wanting or letting my parents help. I’ve had two jobs, one being in the restaurant industry and the other was photography. Once I started making my own money I paid for my camera, car, bills, food, etc. I refused to let my parents spend a dime on me because I was independent enough to make my own income. I remember having my own social media at age 11. I think at the time I wasn’t technically old enough to have certain platforms, however, I loved speaking with people, editing code for website templates, and just chatting with like-minded people. Moving to my later years I think my love for social media has really pivoted my business and made it what it has become today. My love for independence, making others happy, talking and hustling has grown my photo business to what it is today.

How did you come about building your business?

Being homeschooled, my parents let me study pretty much anything I wanted. Graphic design was my main interest at the time. They found out through a friend that the local community college took homeschoolers and let them pick vocational classes to prepare them for college and what industry they were considering for college. My class was “digital media.” My teacher Mr. Gore was extremely supportive and I really have him to thank for giving me the push to pursue more than just graphic design. I entered a photography contest and won first place. This piqued my interest and love for going out and taking photos of people. I loved making someone feel better about themselves and getting to know other people just by going out and doing what I love. Going to college at 17, I had my degree in Photography and Graphic design a month before my 19th birthday. My goal in college was to gain experience to photograph musicians. Even though it’s still something I enjoy, I’ve found fashion editorials, influencers, companies, and weddings are my favorite to shoot. I worked in restaurants taking the money I made and reinvested it into my photoshoots and gear to make myself better and more educated. It wasn’t until I was 25 that I realized I was lacking a lot of business sense and needed to learn how to make it profitable and more than just a paycheck to paycheck hobby. Buying marketing books and self-teaching myself business, I have molded my company into what it is today.

What is your business model — how were you able to grow so fast?

My business model was kind of simple really. In the beginning, I did a lot of free work. Posting like crazy, tag the right people, using the appropriate hashtags and geotags, commenting, networking growing in my community by word of mouth. Eventually, I worked for magazines in my area, growing my network to out of state magazines. I always remembered to tag clothing companies, sharing to multiple forms of social media, recording videos, and making sure I had daily content. For a while, I realized I wasn’t booking weddings and day to day clients like I was wanting. I ended up buying a booking software (honey book) and it virtually changed the dynamic of my business. I think I had a 95% booking rate in the first 2 months. This may seem a little high, but I try to keep my rates reasonable. I like shooting more and growing my network. A huge thing I’ve implemented is client gifts, I give my customers more than just photos. I give them gifts that they can look back on. This has really grown my growth rate when my clients post images of little goodies I’ve given them.

Can you give me an overview of who you are, what is your educational or overall background? What are some of your achievements?

Well, I’m a mother to my son, Finley. I was born in Jackson Mississippi. I was homeschooled, attending Hinds Community College for vo-tech in high school. I have an associate degree in Photography with an emphasis in Graphic design through Antonelli College. One of my most recent accomplishments is photographing the film documentary cover, “The House in Between.” I was certified in Photoshop back in high school which wasn’t an easy test to take. One of the highlights in my photo career was getting a photo tutorial article in Photography Masterclass Magazine. My work has appeared in POZ magazine, Salyse, Volant Magazine, taste of the south, garden & gun, Mississippi Magazine, and many more.

What have you learned through your experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?

I have learned growing a business isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work, and it doesn’t grow overnight. You have to constantly wake up and show up. Keep creating and make more content. There will be days you don’t think it’s worth it, but that’s when you get that opportunity knocking at your door. If you want something, don’t wait for it, go and get it. Write to people, network, don’t be afraid of rejection. Take workshops, reinvest into your business keep learning and keep growing. Just because one person doesn’t believe in you, doesn’t mean someone more notable than they don’t.

What makes your business so unique and successful?

I think what makes my business stand out and successful is that I have a lot of education behind my quirky tattooed appearance. When you meet me, you see a short tattooed girl and probably wouldn’t think I am as knowledgeable in business as I am. I like to have fun, get to know people, and have a good time. I love traveling and buying unique pieces of clothing for my models. My photography has a unique look to it, and I am always trying to find new angles and new ways to take something and make it my own. I don’t want to look like everyone else. I want to stand out on my own. This makes people want to work with me and support my vision. I am in my own lane and I am my own cheerleader even when no one is backing me. I believe positivity and creativity are why I am successful.

What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur?

I’ve learned focusing on the ending goal is all you can do when the storm is rough. Not everyone is going to be your fan, and not everyone is going to love you. I’ve learned you have to separate business and personal. Go after what I want and not be afraid of becoming successful or failing. There will be a failure here and there, but there will be successes that make you forget those few failures. Being an entrepreneur means taking chances and making mistakes. No one is perfect and that’s what makes my entrepreneur journey beautiful.

What skills and attributes make you as successful as you are?

When it comes to my work, I think my attention to detail and color scheme really makes my artwork stand out, which helps it catch the eye of the viewer. When it comes to my personal attributes I think my drive and willingness to work hard for what I want is what has made me grow and become as successful as I am.

Why is online business, marketing, etc important?

Online business is So important. It helps you make connections you wouldn’t be able to make otherwise. Word of mouth is POWERFUL, however, having an online presence shows you have supported, you’re credible, and can produce the work and put in what it takes to make that client happy. If you aren’t willing to do the work, I believe it shows in your social media, marketing, and product.

The post Exclusive Interview with Creative Photographer and Super Mom Tristan Duplichain appeared first on CEO Medium.