Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Taylor.
Hi Stephanie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my journey a few years ago when I was asked by a friend of mine to take her maternity pictures. She later shared them on social media and I started to get more and more people asking me to take their photos. Within that first year, I won an award for “favorite photographer” and landed my first wedding. That is when I decided to make this my career choice. Fast forward about six years later to 2020. I opened my own studio and worked my tail off to stand out and find ways to grab new clients and book more weddings. I managed to average about two weddings a month in 2021 and became one of the winners for “BEST OF GEORGIA, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS” I am so grateful for all that I have accomplished thus far and overcame. I look forward to what 2022 has in store of me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many days, months even, to where I have wanted to throw in the towel and quit. I wanted to get a regular 9-5 job that I didn’t have to fight for. It takes a ton of work a day to find new ways to stand out from the rest and most days, I would feel like I was sinking in quick sand. No matter what I did or how hard I fought, I wasn’t getting anywhere. Or so I thought. Social Media for me is a HUGE struggle. I just don’t care for it too much. Unfortunately, that is the most popular way to advertise yourself. So there is a constant back and forth, love and hate, with me posting on social media. I thought about hiring someone to just do it for me but then I would think to myself “what a waste of money. Just do it yourself” so I would do really good for a few weeks but then I would fall back off again. I’ve had to bust my tail in other ways to make up for the lack of social media posting. I get burned out as I’m sure most people who own a business do. I take a few days to breathe, gather myself, dust myself off and get back at it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional small wedding photographer specializing in adventure elopements. I am a huge outdoor lover, hiker, kayaker who loves catching your love on camera with the most beautiful backdrop! Blending love and landscapes. I will be the girl who will hike with you to top of that mountain or get in the water, mud, and dirt to catch that gorgeous shot of you. I become your friend, cheerleader, your pep talk, your vail straightener, and timekeeper on your wedding day to make sure you will have an experience you will never forget!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for those starting out is to not get discouraged and to NOT compare yourself to others. There are a ton of great competition out there. If you sit there and compare yourself to others, you will beat yourself up every day! You know how great you are and that needs to be in the forefront of it all.
Contact Info:
- Email: marilyrayphoto@gmail.com
- Website: www.marilynrayphoto.com
- Instagram: @marilynrayphoto
- Facebook: @marilynrayphoto
Image Credits
Marilyn Ray Photography
