Meet Ayesha Lakes of PhoArtgraphy in Stone Mountain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayesha Lakes.

Ayesha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I received my first camera as a Christmas present from one of my aunts when I was about 10 or 11. I fell in love with photography and photographed many important and not so important times in my life. It was always a hobby until about 2000. My corporate job had become unbearable and I wanted to do something that I enjoyed to earn money. That’s when I first thought of photography as an actual career.

Since I was mostly self-taught, I figured that I needed some additional instruction to get on my feet faster, so I started taking classes at the Art Institute of Atlanta. In 2003, I started photographing on the weekends, taking clients when I could. I even tried wedding and event photography, but realized that I really wanted to photograph babies and children. Eventually that included maternity as well.

In May of 2005, I had my son and started talking with my husband about quitting my job. We had decided that I would submit my resignation in January or February of the following year. After returning to my job from maternity leave in August, I was laid off in October. What a blessing! Not only did I receive severance pay, but they hired me back as a contractor and sent me to London, twice for two different clients. It was like seed money for us until I could get my business up and running. After that, I started photographing full-time and haven’t looked back since.

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?
I wish it had been smooth, but it wasn’t. We had to cut back on many things for a while because we went from two incomes to one for a while. There was also a period of time when my husband wasn’t working, so we had to work through that as well.

I suppose my biggest struggle was getting more clients and getting my company’s name out there. Not only getting more clients, but getting more of the right clients. Trying to stand out in a sea of photographers is quite a feat and I still think I am working on that.

Another struggle is being able to manage my time efficiently. I do have a husband and a son and they both need/want attention; I can’t just shut them out to do my photography. So trying to adhere to my work hours has been a struggle, especially since I love what I do. Besides, photography is much more fun than my son’s homework.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
PhoArtgraphy is a boutique style, on location photography studio. I offer high end wall art, albums, and prints. I specialize in artistic portraits of maternity, newborn and children at my clients’ specified locations. I am known for my creativity with wall collages and albums. The thing I am most proud of as a company is the fact that I build wonderful relationships with my clients. Many of my clients are people who I consider friends. In fact, I just recently attended the bachelorette party and wedding of a client/friend of mine. I believe that my customer relationships set me apart from others and how I can incorporate special touches in my artwork that are personal to my clients, which they love!

What were you like growing up?
When I was a child, I was very shy. Getting me to talk was like pulling teeth. I remained shy for the most part, but broke out of that shell somewhat while attending college. I’m still a bit shy, but I consider myself a social introvert. It has gotten easier for me to talk to people, especially when I am not expected to talk to people or just meet people. You know that uncomfortable scenario of having to go to a networking event with the number one goal of meeting people. It’s still uncomfortable, but I do a bit better.

As far as my interests go, I like trying new things. I love sports, but I watch more now than I play. Growing up, I played fast pitch softball and ran track. I played tennis and volleyball for fun and I just love pool. Speaking of pool, swimming was and still is an interest of mine. I’ve always enjoyed art. I used to draw a lot and then I starting photographing. I even used to make my own paper dolls. In elementary school I used to free draw maps for social studies all the time. I’ve been white water rafting a couple of times, which was fantastic. Hiking is another activity I enjoy with my husband, as well as biking.

Even though I have 6 sisters and 2 brothers, I spent a lot of time by myself. I could entertain myself for hours either playing with my Barbies or reading. I loved reading, but unfortunately I do not have enough time to read a leisurely book.

Pricing:

• My printed products start at $185.00
• The creative fee for a portrait session held Monday through Friday is $150
• The creative fee for a portrait session held on Saturday is $225
• The creative fee for a newborn session is $275 (regardless of day)
• The creative fee for the milestones package is $350 (this includes 2-4 sessions)

Contact Info:

• Address: Serving the metro Atlanta area
• Website: http://www.phoartgraphy.com
• Phone: 404-784-3008
• Email: ayesha@phoartgraphy.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/phoartgraphy
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/PhoArtgraphy
• Yelp: PhoArtgraphy

Image Credit:
Ayesha Lakes