Today we’d like to introduce you to Seniorita Ivey
Hi Seniorita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My passion for photography began at an early age. It all started when I was about 11 years old. I would use my cell phone camera to take pictures of everything. I loved to capture every moment because those moments would turn into memories that I could look back on later in life. After taking pictures, I would use the editing software, that was already installed on my laptop, to edit the pictures. Photography was something I loved to do when I wasn’t playing sports and it became one of my favorite hobbies.
After years of asking for a camera, I was gifted my first digital camera for Christmas in 2012. I was so excited to further my photography journey with my new camera. I would take pictures of my family and friends, who became my favorite subjects to photograph. Also, I would take pictures of myself because I loved taking selfies and posting them on my social media. The more I learned about photography, the more passionate I became.
Fast forward to 2019, I graduated college with a BBA in Accounting. A couple of months after covid hit, I packed up all of my things and moved to Atlanta for a fresh start and better opportunities. Moving from a small town to a big city was actually one of the best decisions I made in my life because I was out of my comfort zone. In the beginning, I had a hard time adjusting. Even though I was a college graduate, I had a rough start trying to find a job in the accounting field during the pandemic. So, instead of starting my career in accounting, I decided to settle for a dead-end job to make money.
In 2023, I was gifted another camera on Christmas, which was my first DSLR camera. I learned how to use my camera and how to edit using Lightroom through many months of trail and error. I watched a lot of inspiring Youtube videos, too. As I stated previously, photography started off as just a hobby, but I soon realized that it was something that I wanted to pursue full time in the near future. After receiving my camera, I took any opportunities that I could get to build my portfolio, gain more experience, and practice my craft. I photographed portraits, sports, and events for my family, friends, and complete strangers, who become my clients. Most of my clients heard about me through word of mouth. My family and friends began to notice my work and encouraged me to share my photos on social media, so I created an Instagram and Facebook account to showcase my work. I received positive feedback from past clients, potential clients, and fellow photographers, which fueled my passion even more. After receiving all the positive feedback, I began to research how to start a photography business. In 2024, I took the leap and decided to start my photography business, Ivey Lens Photography. Since starting my business, I’ve been working on building my website, establishing my brand, and investing in better equipment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Similar to most photographers, I have had my fair share of challenges. It has definitely not been a smooth road. There have been several challenges along the way. One challenge that I have struggled with is imposter syndrome. During my photography journey, I have had moments of self doubt and fear of sharing my work on social media. I am always in my head, no matter what I’m doing. Sometimes, I feel like my photos are not good enough. In the beginning, I did so much work, but none of it was shown to the public. I feel like not showing my work from the beginning was a set back. Another challenge that I’ve struggled with is burnout. Imposter syndrome and burnout go hand in hand. When I struggle with imposter syndrome, I try to work harder or do more work than I need to. This would cause me to burnout and give up, but thankfully I kept going. Lastly, navigating the financial uncertainties during the startup phase is very challenging. As I strive to establish and grow my photography business, the amount of money that I make each month can be unpredictable.
We’ve been impressed with Ivey Lens Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a self-taught photographer who specialize in portrait photography, but I offer sports photography as well. I am obsessed with portrait photography, but I love sports, too. As a portrait photographer, I enjoy an outdoor session with natural light and candid or posed shots. As a sports photographer, I enjoy a packed out gym or stadium with bright lights and action shots. For portrait and sports photography, I photograph individuals and groups of people. The type of portrait photos that I offer are senior portraits, lifestyle portraits, family portraits, and headshots. The type of sports photos that I offer are individual headshots, action shots, and team photos. I am willing to travel anywhere in the state of Georgia for now. Once my business grow, I would love to travel all over the world to do photography. My goal is to capture unique moments to create special memories that can be looked back on for future generations. The way I make my clients feel through the whole process (pre-production, production, and post-production) sets me apart from other photographers. I am most proud of my growth as a portrait and sports photographer and the work I’ve done thus far.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There are several pros and cons for photographers who work in a big city like Atlanta. One thing that I like about being a photographer in Atlanta is the diverse and vibrant urban landscape. There are a variety of locations to photograph my clients. One thing I dislike about being a photographer in Atlanta is the overcrowded market.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iveylensphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19o4G5dHkq/
Image Credits
Seniorita Ivey
