Today we’d like to introduce you to Lance Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lance. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my professional career working for another photographer in Greenville SC. After three years of working for this local photographer, I ventured out on my own for several reasons that I won’t bore your readership with. I was an art major in college, receiving a B.A. in Art with a double emphasis in Photography and Painting. It is my art background that has helped me to grow my photography business.
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?
Struggles are always a part of starting your own business and being your own boss. As I mentioned before, I am an artist, which means I’m a horrible salesperson. This has been my biggest obstacle to hurdle and is one that I still struggle with. Yes, you have to be a salesperson to make it in the photography industry, just as much as you do in any other business. This industry is constantly changing as well. The birth of the digital age has oversaturated the photography industry with a ton of weekend warriors and with the technology getting better every day it’s going to continue down that path. This is why photographers have to reinvent themselves every so often, to stay ahead of the curve.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Freelance Imagery story. Tell us more about the business.
Freelance Imagery is a one-man photography show. I try not to “specialize” in anything, other than customer service. I photograph almost everything, including portraits, weddings and a mixed bag of commercial work. I’m trying not to pigeonhole myself into one aspect of photography. As an artist, I enjoy the variety and I like to believe it keeps me sharp. If you shoot the same thing over and over again, you will eventually become trite in your work and no one wants to do that. What sets me apart from my competition is my customer service and personality. I go out of my way to take care of my clients and their needs. This is why several of my clients have become friends and now they invite me to their birthday parties, out for dinner and drinks, and backyard bar-b-ques. Occasionally, I will be invited to Christmas brunch with their families, yes that has happened and of course, I went.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I can’t say that luck has played any role in my life and business, good or bad. I have plenty of family and friends that have been and are supportive, but I don’t believe that is luck. Everyone has at least one or two people that support their efforts in whatever they do. Do I wish that I would be lucky enough to have a huge commercial client call me for a six-figure shoot, of course, as does every photographer, but that’s not realistic?
Contact Info:
- Address: 11 Tupelo Ct. Greenville, SC 29609
- Website: www.freelanceimagery.com
- Phone: 864-640-5668
- Email: lance@freelanceimagery.com
Image Credit:
All images were taken by Lance Williams of Freelance Imagery
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