Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunde’ Hilliard.
Sunde’, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always had a fascination with photography. My parents tell me that when my mom would pull her camera out to take photos of me as a toddler, I would say “let me do it” and would try to take the photo myself. Growing up, I was the kid with 2 or 3 disposable cameras on me at all times and captured EVERYTHING; cheerleading/sports, band practices, backstage at dance performances, or just goofing off in the hallways. I didn’t want to miss or forget anything. To this day, I still have photos from middle school and high school that bring back so many memories.
Once I got to college, I was able to take actual photography classes and perfect what had originally just been a hobby. We were given Nikons to do our homework assignments with and had Macs in the computer lab to use to edit. The downside was that my instructor had a horrible accent and tenure so she could care less if you learned anything from her or not. Somehow I got B’s in her courses and understood NOTHING technical at all…still don’t know how that worked out.
On campus, I worked for the newspaper and loved it. Being at different events and being able to be a fly on the wall but still give readers a full visual was awesome for me. I majored in Journalism with a photography emphasis, so it was perfect.
Fast forward to me moving to ATL, I worked at a portrait studio for five years and hated it! BUT it was a decent experience because I was basically running the studio myself so as long as I upheld the company standards, I could pretty much do what I wanted. The biggest drawback was that even if I took great photos, I would never get any personal recognition for it. The company did. Of course, I would get repeat clientele but it didn’t seem fair that I was doing all the work (through crying babies and irate parents and all) and never got to put my name on ANYTHING. With that, I decided to start my own photography business and never looked back.
I took photography courses, I learned things from YouTube (a God-send), I got a few mentors, one of which is Derek Blanks, linked up with other photographers to pick their brains, and everything else is history. I love that I was able to turn a passion into income.
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 road has not been smooth. Like any new business owner, I struggled the first few years just getting people to recognize me as a photographer and not “the picture lady” at the store or just someone who owned a camera. My biggest goal was to leave the 9-5 life and do strictly photography but that was much easier said than done. Every time I thought I was on the right track, something would happen where I didn’t have enough stable income to supplement being an entrepreneur. Ex: a layoff, or a company closure, or just anything that slowed down or stopped my finances. It felt like a rug had been pulled out from underneath me and I wasn’t “ready.” Now I look at it as that was my push to just get out and do it. The last time I lost my job about a year and a half ago I said: “okay this is it, I’m going for it and whatever happens happens.” The road still isn’t paved with gold but I think I have a better handle on it now than I would have had in the past.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sunde’ Marie Imagery story. Tell us more about the business.
Sunde’ Marie Imagery specializes in headshots, sports and fitness photography, and lifestyle shoots. I think the thing that sets me apart is I like to capture the essence of my subject and not have them so “posed”. I feel like images are most authentic and genuine when they’re candid. I try and make whoever I’m shooting very comfortable so they can just be themselves.
As a company, I am most proud that my business holds MY name, no one else can take credit for MY work, I can put MY logo on something that I made happen, and my clients come back to ME…is that selfish? Lol, I have clients that I’ve been shooting for years, literally watching their kids grow up, and it’s the best feeling in the world that they want to share their lives with me to help them create memories.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ll be honest, I’ve had a few lucky experiences related to photography. The biggest one was that I literally met Derek Blanks in the gym I was working in, was able to show him my work, exchange information, to then get an email the next day that said “Hey what’s your availability?” I wanted to do backflips through the whole building! I had followed his work for years and now the fact that I see him almost weekly and can call him for anything is still mind-blowing to me. With him, I’ve been behind the scenes for music videos, closed set celebrity photo shoots, and a reality tv show. I could have never imagined that in my wildest dreams.
Pricing:
- One hour head shot sessions: $150, 6 edits of your choice
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6785093732
- Email: sundemarieimagery@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sundemarieimagery/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundemarieimagery/
Image Credit:
Profile Photo Credit: Raimon Norris, Additional Photos: Sunde’ Marie Imagery
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