Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Green.
Whitney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I had my first baby in 2016, I had just lost my grandpa only six months earlier (who, by the way, was more like a father to me considering he and my grandmother raised me). I was going through a bit of depression, and not post-partum depression or baby blues, this was a different set of emotions. I was over the moon with our perfect baby boy, honestly obsessed with him… but there was hole in my heart and feelings of anxiousness from the sudden loss of my grandfather that I just could not ignore. This man had literally been there to experience every part of my life except becoming a mommy. I was sad for my grandmother who would now live alone. How could I be happy with my new little family while she was suffering the loss of the love of her life? I had just changed jobs after a very stressful couple of years commuting to Atlanta every day for a job that was equally as stressful. I was a new mommy. A new wife. I was just in an existential crisis. Around this same time, I picked up my first DSLR in hopes I could find a hobby and it truly served as a creative outlet for me. I dove in and immersed myself in online readings about photography tips, tricks, and how-tos. I reached out to other photographers I knew who were so willing to help me learn. I started offering free sessions and saturating social media with every session I did. Two years later, this hobby has turned into a part-time (that feels more like full-time) business that I absolutely love like it’s a fourth child. Did I mention, in the two years of learning my DSLR and the business, my husband and I welcomed two more kids? There’s no doubting we have a lot going on with three under three (our middle child born with a heart condition, a part-time photography business and a full time job as a staff accountant for a school system. But for me, this quote describes my journey best: “be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever truly get to a final destination with photography (this craft is ever evolving and there’s something to be learned every day which is what I love most about it), but I’m along for the ride and enjoying every shutter click, client experience and lesson along the way! I also feel extremely blessed and incredibly thankful to have found something I love to do, but that also serves my family and the families I have the honor to work with!
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?
Photography has its challenges. I think there will always be challenges when you work with people because not every person thinks alike… and that’s with vendors or clients. The beautiful thing about photography is it allows you to really fine tune your interpersonal skills. And by owning your own business, you truly get to make your own decisions and figure out how you are going to navigate through each obstacle or situation that arises. Remember me mentioning there is always something to learn? From truly learning your camera to understanding different lighting situations, wording contracts and emails/communicating with clients and balancing your time, challenges occur daily. Luckily, this industry has a large community of creatives that are so willing to listen and provide support when you could use a little help navigating those obstacles.
I think one obstacle to overcome in this industry is learning/knowing your worth and standing firm by your work and pricing. Your time, your services and your product as a photographer are valuable. You want to have a bleeding heart for everyone and you’d, of course, love to give everyone a free/discounted session that comes your way. But you also have a business to run and money to funnel back into your business in order to keep it healthy and thriving.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Blush and Bonnet Co. – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
When it comes to my bride’s I truly feel like my bride’s wedding day is my wedding day too. In the months that they spend planning their big day, I’m preparing for every detail as well. For my families and expecting mothers, I put my heart and soul into every session. I think it takes more than just standing behind the camera and knowing how to run a business. It takes putting yourself in your client’s shoes and giving them the most comfortable experience with memories in photo form to last a lifetime. For weddings it’s creating their love story and documenting every detail from getting ready to that final dipped-kiss at send-off. For family portraits, I think what sets me a part is that I charge a flat sitting fee for all regular sessions and events and I provide all of the best images from the session instead of limiting my clients to a few and then charging for the rest. I offer a one stop shop kind of package for my expecting mothers. It’s almost like a season pass. I document their entire journey into motherhood from bump through baby’s first year! By purchasing the package they save a ton of money and get 4-5 sessions in that year depending on which package the go with! I am also now offering a complimentary boudoir session with an album AND engagement session for brides that book their wedding with me. The boudoir album makes the perfect gift for the groom on the couples wedding day! I don’t see a lot of photographers who do this. I always like to think I’m providing the best bang for my brides (or any clients) buck!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My wedding clients have more than doubled since last year. I’m looking forward to working with all my bride and grooms, documenting their day and bringing their vision to life through my images. No big changes in the immediate future. But I’m working hard to hopefully book an out of state wedding or two and gain exposure!
Pricing:
- $1000 4-hour elopement package
- $1500 January-March 2019 8-hour wedding package
- $2200 April-December 2019 8-hour wedding package
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blushandbonnetco.com
- Email: hello@blushandbonnet.com
- Instagram: @blushandbonnetco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/blushandbonnetco
Image Credit:
Planning/Coordination: @theeventstylist @haleyhendersonphotography, Rentals: @decorbytheday, Tabletop Rentals: @borrowedandbluega, Floral Design: @tenpointfloraldesign, Venue: @juliettechapelga, Invitations: @squaredweddingpress, Hair: @artisticexpressionshairsalon @hairby_ashli, Makeup: @thefirst_noel88, Bridal Gowns: @go2bellabridal, Groom’s Attire: @savviformalwear, Cake: @bobbieruthsbakery, Bride: @niykeepaigee_94, Groom: @etlevine22, High Fashion Bride: @janamanning_, Planning/Coordination: @vmtheeventstylist @HHphotography, Rentals: @decorbytheday, Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed and Blue, Floral Design: @Tenpointfloraldesign, Venue: @juliettechapelevents, Invitations: @squaredweddingpress, Hair: @ArtisticExpressionsHair @hairbyashlim, Makeup: Hello Beautiful by Noël, Cake: @BobbieRuths, Bridal Gowns: @go2bellabridal, Groom’s Attire: @besavvi, Niykee Paige, Ethan Levine, Jana Manning
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.
