Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Busch.
Sydney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My fascination with photography began as a teenager watching my father take pictures and learning how to use his camera. I think I absorbed it through osmosis and it became a natural part of my life.
Unfortunately, my photography always took a backseat to family and career. Photography was a hobby and I often wondered if I could ever make a career of it, but lacked the courage to take the leap.
The desire to be a professional photographer stayed with me and was always in the back of my mind. Over the years I tried to start a business as a side venture, but it always fell short due to other demands. I finally reached a crossroads at the end of 2015. I was in a high-stress job with no life balance and I needed a change. I said goodbye to the corporate world and jumped over the cliff into the unknown without a plan on what I would do or how I would do it. Fast forward a year later – it all turned out okay.
First and foremost, I could not have followed my dream without the full support of my husband. I set-up a studio, purchased new equipment, watched instructional videos, took online courses, set-up my website and social media accounts. I was new to social media and I had a huge learning curve to not only learn how it all worked, but also the promotional aspects for my business. It took 4 months to pull it all together and begin the marketing phase. I was shocked when I immediately started getting calls and landed my first client shortly thereafter.
This is, of course, the condensed version of how it all began. It was a lot of hard work, determination, and confidence. I continue with the educational process, as I believe this is a key ingredient to keep the process fresh and engaging. I am thankful everyday that I finally found the courage to make my dream a reality.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the largest obstacle was me. I initially lacked the confidence to make the decision to become a photographer full time. Once I made the decision, it all seemed to fall into place.
The second challenge was social media. I previously avoided it because I really did not have the time, then suddenly I needed it as a resource to reach clients. I immersed myself in learning about the top social media sites. A company in Europe was just starting to offer detailed courses in social media. I was offered a free set of courses through the company that managed my website. It was a perfect match. I learned far more than I needed to know, but it was exactly what I needed.
Lastly, I avoided a lot of financial obstacles in setting up my business by being creative in where and how I sourced my advertising and equipment. I credit part of this to creative thinking and the other part to the educational advice I received.
Please tell us about Sydney Busch Photography.
Most photographers pick one genre and stick to specializing in that area. I originally thought it would be my destiny to photograph infants, young children, and families. I could not have been further off the mark. I do photograph all of those, but I also photograph models, fine art portraits, products, weddings, real estate, and events. I additionally photograph wildlife and coastal landscapes. My work is featured in several galleries and was displayed at the state capitol. I have received awards for my work in juried art shows. I provide freelance photography that has been published in newspapers, magazines, and on the internet. I also donate work to charities for fund raising activities. I have a studio and I also provide on location services. This versatility has provided more opportunities and allowed me to expand my horizons.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was a child, I was very fortunate to have a variety of animals as pets. I don’t think there was ever a time when I did not have a pet, but the most exotic pet I ever had was a macaque monkey. The monkey was brought to the U.S. from Europe and needed a home. My parents agreed to let me keep her for a week or two until I could find her a home. My parents instantly fell in love with her and there was never a mention of her leaving. My father built her a large enclosure outside that had a heated indoor space and a pass-through to the outdoors. She quickly became part of our family and provided years of fond memories.
Contact Info:
- Address: Richmond Hill, GA
- Website: sydneybusch.com
- Phone: 912-388-0117
- Email: sydbusch@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SydneyBuschPhotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SydneyBuschPhotography?_rdr=p
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sydney-busch-photography-richmond-hill
Image Credit:
Sydney Busch
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