Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber McDonnell.
Amber, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My business started the way I think a lot of creative businesses do — as a hobby. I’ve loved storytelling my entire life, and for most of my life, I thought my passion was limited to the written word. As a kid, I’d get in trouble for reading Harry Potter into the early morning hours on school nights. It wasn’t until I worked for a publisher in Dublin, Ireland one summer in college that I realized I love the visual side of storytelling as well.
In my master’s degree program, I learned about the rule of thirds in a design class for the first time and I was hooked on visual design theory. I got a Nikon D3200 that Christmas and taught myself photography basics by researching online.
Eventually, I developed a style. Aperture as low as possible all the time. The blurrier the background, the better. Turn up the shadows. Enhance those eyes. But most importantly, capture everything as naturally as possible. No posing, just telling a story the way it actually happened.
I took headshots for my peers, toted my camera around town and on every trip, and eventually built up more and more confidence in my abilities and my knowledge. However, when I moved to Atlanta and got “busy” with, well, LIFE … I took a bit of a hiatus. A two-year hiatus from photography. I’d pick up my camera to take photos of my dog every now and then, but nothing too substantial.
After two years of “maybes” and a lot of hesitation, I figured I needed to throw myself into the deep end and see if I could swim. So, overnight, in the fall of 2017, I went from hobbyist to entrepreneur when I offered limited-time free photo sessions to get my business off the ground. One of the people to take me up on my offer was my friend (turned client), Lindsey Sinicki.
I took fitness portraits of Lindsey for her to use to promote her classes at the new Barry’s Bootcamp studio in Buckhead, and the rest is history. I started shooting for the rest of the instructors at Barry’s, then CycleBar, then Bach, and so on. Eventually, I made more and more connections, including the folks at the Fit Atlanta, and I grew to love capturing people in motion. But even more, I love connecting with the fitness and wellness community in Atlanta. They are some of the most inspiring and motivating people I’ve ever met.
I also do traditional portraits and headshots, product photography and family photography. I like to take headshots out of the boardroom and into real life — because you should look like YOU on LinkedIn or on your portfolio’s “bio” page. I shoot food and products with an eye for accurate color and perspective. And capturing families in action, toddlers and all has been my most rewarding challenge.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve been fortunate in my journey so far. The main theme of my business and my professional relationships so far has been one of gratitude and generosity. But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any bumps along the way.
My first (and main) obstacle was getting out of my own head. I hesitated for far too long to bet on myself. I asked myself too many times if I could ACTUALLY do this. What if clients aren’t happy with their photos? Or worse, what if I can’t book any clients? How do I overcome photography as a commodity? People will surely ask why my rate is what it is. Speaking of which, how do I even set a rate?!
I don’t have answers to all of these, because they’ll vary by individual. (And if I’m being honest, I think the answers will continue to evolve even for me.) But my main advice here is to be confident. The worst thing that could possibly happen if you invest in yourself, take a risk and come out a stronger person because of your bravery. Then you either keep working at your craft or you realize you’re much better at something else and go for that. You have a purpose and you have talent and sometimes it just takes a little while to figure out the best way to harness these things.
Another obstacle I’ve had to overcome is ensuring my work is used and credited correctly. My motto here is to assume the best about people and prepare for the worst just in case. I have had to defend my rates to clients multiple times, I have had to politely ask that clients credit me properly on their blogs, websites, social, etc. And I think the best way to approach this is to build rapport early with clients so that if there are any hiccups you can have a conversation human to human.
Other than that, my last suggestion is a word of caution. ALWAYS, ALWAYS ensure you are operating legally from the beginning. Register your business, set up bank accounts, talk with an attorney or accountant, research tax laws as they apply to you, etc. I’ve read horror stories about fellow entrepreneurs who thought they were innocently transforming from hobbyist to charging for photography that did not end well.
Please tell us about Amber McDonnell Photography.
I am a content creator. I’ve actually been writing in a professional setting longer than I’ve been taking photos, and that component comes in handy while I’m marketing my business online. I have experience in copywriting, editing, branding and even teaching English composition at Auburn University.
But as far as photography is concerned, I’m recording the tiny little details of an experience on an SD card and tweaking the results to help my clients send a message. Whether it’s a message of inspiration to their blog audience, a message of love to frame and hang in their home, a message of value to display on their website for consumers, or just a message of fun between friends, I like to think my photos are a vessel to help others achieve their goals. And that’s really, really rewarding.
As a brand, I’m proud that my work is recognizable. I recently had a friend ask me if I had taken photos for a local wellness blogger, and she said when she saw the photos she just knew I had taken them. I have to be honest — I had a “moment” after that comment. I was bursting with pride that I’d created something that someone was proud to display, and someone else recognized as my style. Definitely, a moment to reflect on whenever I’m having those dreaded moments of questioning my worth. I recommend everyone find moments like this and hold on tight.
And based on that example, I’d say my style sets me apart from others. I’m a little bit airy and light, a little bit moody, all mixed with a lot of honesty. I also like to think I’m funny and fun to work with, but you’ll have to ask my clients about that!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Recognize your love for something. Obsess over it and turn it into a passion. Make sure it’s something you’d love doing on weekends, late at night, on vacation, etc. You need to live and breathe it. Then bet on it. Go to bat for it. Remind yourself why you’re doing it. Make sure others know you’re proud of it. Defend it if you need to.
Lather, rinse, repeat — because as far as I know, you’ll need to keep doing it every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: ambermcdonnellphoto.com
- Email: ambermcdnnll@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambermphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambermphotog
Image Credit:
Amber McDonnell Photography
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