Today we’d like to introduce you to April A-Love Taylor.
April A-Love, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started back in 2008-2009, I was a SAHM and I always had a passion regarding photos, whether I was busy scrapbooking, or creating slideshow montages. This was back when Myspace was popular and was the main social media. I also enjoyed photo editing and I would have people reach out to me on myspace asking me to edit their Profile pics, at that time a light when off in my head and I thought, it would be fun to actually take photos of people and edit them, but sadly, I couldn’t afford a nice camera to do so, but I was very passionate and so I started using my flip Nokia Phone to take pics, and this was at a time the camera quality was bad it wasn’t as advanced as it is now, but I was driven and started just asking to take people’s photos free of charge. To my surprise even with the low camera phone quality people really liked the images and started referring me to others, and telling me that I needed to charge for what I was doing. I was still shooting for free a lot and occasionally would make $50 here and there. My Husband saw how much joy this brought me and eventually surprised me with my very 1st real camera, it wasn’t a DSLR but I was so happy and excited. So I started building a network between Myspace and about that time Facebook was getting popular. I’ve never had formal Photography training so I’m not one to talk shop with lol, but I let God lead me on every shoot I do, along with my continued passion. I eventually made a name for myself and was getting recognized, I worked with fashion Designer’s and local Artist’s and even got some of my work published and won a few awards, my most proud award was Entrepreneur/Innovator. The journey has been long and hard but I wouldn’t trade the experiences I’ve had for anything. I relocated from California to Atlanta in 2013 and opened up my very own Photography Studio in 2016, A dream I could never have imagined having started my business with a Flip Camera phone lol. I give all Glory to God, and my Husband and a few other Supporters and motivators that have kept me inspired.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a long tough road, over the years, not having the proper equipment, and training, literally, teaching myself by trial and error, I’m a hands-on person and I put my faith and trust in God to lead me. I’ve had a few mentors along the way, and last year one of my mentors died unexpectedly which was a major blow to me, especially, when I was unable to share my big news with him about finally getting my very own Photography Studio. I relocated from California to Georgia in 2013 and I left my clientele and all of my successes and came to a place where no one knew of me, it’s been a major trial trying to recreate and reinvent myself in business as no one here knows my credits or my resume. I am my own Marketer, bookkeeper, graphic designer, Photographer, Retoucher, Wife, and a Mother, so often times it can be overwhelming but I love what I do and what I love even more is creating memories and uplifting confidence in people and seeing the joy and even tears Clients have when they see their images. My clients are not just clients they are real people to me that often become lifelong friends.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a Photographer/Retoucher, I specialize in Fashion, Portraits, Glamour, Headshots & More.
I also Shoot in Studio and on location.
I’m currently known for Fashion/Glamour Photography and High-End Photo Retouching.
I feel what sets me apart from others in my field is my retouching skills, and my goal to make every Client I meet to feel as comfortable as possible, I love to laugh and joke and I try to bring laughter and fun out in every session I do.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel Atlanta and even my small town of Snellville is a great place because there are so many beautiful, talented and creative people here, and it is a great place for Entrepreneurs to start out. it’s just really about networking and working hard.
Pricing:
- Headshot Special $99 Offer Good until end of 2017
- Portrait Sessions Range from $120.-$200
Contact Info:
- Address: 2140 Mcgee Rd. Suite C-320
Snellville, Ga 30078
Located inside of Business Center - Website: http://www.PhotosbyALove.com
- Phone: 678-240-8683
- Email: PhotosbyAlove@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Photosbyalove
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographybyALove/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/photos-by-a-love-snellville
Image Credit:
Nicole Matta
Takia Meacham
Phoenyx Reign
Maisha Bahati
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
