May 15, 2017

Meet Lisa Phillipson of Lisa Phillipson Photography in Smyrna

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Phillipson.

Lisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Auburn University, I headed straight to Atlanta without a job. It seemed like the land of opportunity for a Marketing grad with preparations for the upcoming Olympics and Super Bowl.

Finding my new career-life wasn’t as easy as I had hoped and although I had brief fun in sports marketing, I settled for more stable opportunities in financial services and then a start-up software company. With encouragement from family and friends, I eventually left it behind for my own business as a newborn and child portrait photographer. That is where I still am today after 10 years with a bigger focus on family photography. I also coordinate Social Media efforts for the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP). I continue to love Marketing even more so for others than my own business.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles for me have been learning how to run a photography business and figuring out how to be successful all on my own. Now there are many more online communities and mentors to help new photographers than when I started. There were many late nights and long hours trying to become better and more efficient at this business. The industry has changed tremendously over the last several years and ultimately has created new challenges making it difficult for photographers to stay profitable in their businesses. I love to share with other creatives how pricing is so important if they want to “make it.”

I believe the other real struggle is the isolation working on your own can create. Photographing and meeting with clients is a very small portion of the overall work I do. Having a community and network of other photographers both online and in person helps when you want to collaborate and share ideas with others.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lisa Phillipson Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is focused on creating beautiful natural light portraiture of families. This includes newborns all the way up to High School Seniors. My customized photo sessions capture both posed as well as candid portraits that are meant to be displayed and enjoyed every day. I spend many hours for each client preparing for their session and meeting with them afterwards to design the perfect wall gallery or choosing heirloom products to pass down to their own children. My business model is perfect for Moms and Dads who are very busy in their careers, raising young children, and seeking high quality products.

My photo sessions are always more fun and enjoyable than clients expect and I make the decision-making process of what to do with their beautiful family memories fast and easy. I sincerely enjoy capturing the milestones and stages of each family and watching them grow over the years. I am the only person my clients work with in my business so I am able to get to know them well and really capture their personalities and relationships in a beautiful way.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” This is a quote attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca and it is the first thought I have about the topic of luck.

The luckiest things in my life and business have been the amazing people I have met along the way. I don’t expect luck or put a lot of importance on it except in my tennis game. However, I might change my mind if I ever win the lottery.

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