Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryann Davidson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I picked up my first camera at 5 years old – as a child, photography was my escape from the world. As an adult, photography has changed my life and opened the world. That is what I want to do for my clients – flip their perspective and open their world.
In high school, I was the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, anchor for the local TV station, and afternoon DJ for the radio station. I was college bound on a journalism scholarship; however, life happens. College was deferred in order to take care of my health and my adopted grandfather. During his final days he said, “If you don’t want to be a starving artist, learn business.” That hit me hard – So when I finally went to college (5 years after high school), I majored in accounting and business management.
I graduated college and immediately went to work as an accountant. It was a dark gray building, small shared cubical, and not a single window to the outside world. After just one week, I turned in my security badge at lunch time and quit. My boss was flabbergasted and said, “You are throwing away your college education!” I told her, “No I’m not, I am gaining the rest of my life.”
I couldn’t shut off the hunger for photography. That afternoon, I feverishly researched photos in magazines and wrote down the names of the photographers. Handwritten heartfelt letters were mailed to more than a dozen of them. Basically, I explained that I wanted real world experience and that I would work for no pay, just knowledge. I also listed my camera gear, lighting equipment, darkroom experience, and attached a few photographs that I had taken and developed.
That was almost 20 years ago. I say this with certainty and gratitude… I would not be where I am today without the business school foundation and the 3 photographers who took a shot in the dark.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been many twists and turns, speed bumps, deep potholes, and at times, no pavement. But in life you fight hard, fail, fight harder, survive and don’t let the bad times define who you are. The safest routes don’t always have the best views.
Passion fuels Purpose. Photography is my passion and photography is my purpose.
However, if you want to create a career out of your passion, you have to leap out of your comfort zone, take risks, and change your mindset. Passion and enthusiasm are a good place to start, but they’re not enough to sustain a business.
To have a long term business, you have to think like a business person – SEO, analytics, bookkeeping, branding, marketing, customer service … list goes on.
While any one of those could be an uphill battle, the hardest struggle for me has always revolved around “TIME” – juggling it and managing it. You can’t buy more or borrow more – time is a limited resource so how you spend it matters.
• Quality Time: Making quality time for family and health is extremely important. The punishing hours you’ll put in as a solopreneur will take their toll if you don’t quickly figure out a work-life balance.
• Education Time: Allocating Time for continuing education is essential. I’m a firm believer in not getting complacent behind the wheel, so we must continually learn and grow. (Books, podcasts, seminars, workshops, classes, conventions, etc.)
• The future: Decisions aren’t just for this week or this month. I had to learn to think 5-10 years down the road.
• Tax time: There are big implications if you don’t budget time for Uncle Sam. (Monthly bookkeeping, quarterly estimated state and federal taxes, annual taxes)
• Task Time: Small tasks all add up. If you don’t have the right tools and software, you’ll waste an immense amount of time. (Answering emails, running errands, updating website or social media, scheduling appointments, etc.)
• Client Time: Undivided time builds stronger business relationships. It doesn’t matter if the photoshoot is 1 hour or 18 hours, I don’t answer the phone when I am with a client. If I pick up my phone, I basically would be telling the client standing in front of me that someone else is more deserving of my time than they are. My time is their time, and their time is important to me. Nevertheless, time does not stand still and those phone calls and emails need to still be answered; usually after a long photoshoot, I have to put out fires and get caught up.
• Post Production Time: When the photoshoot ends, the work just begins. There could be hours or days of post-production time. If I schedule another photoshoot too soon, it could be a domino effect. So I have to be sure to block time on the calendar, not just for the actual photoshoot, but also for the estimated post-production.
• Difficult Times: When you are faced with difficulties, don’t spend time dwelling and complaining or you’ll waste valuable time. Those difficult times will eventually strengthen you.
There is a quote that resonates with me, “Life is like a camera. Focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don’t work out, take another shot.”
When you are able to make your passion your profession, all the personal and professional struggles are worth enduring.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Maryann Davidson Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I help businesses survive and thrive in a visually competitive world. I am a full time professional photographer (based in Smyrna, GA) that specializes in photography for businesses – mainly business portraits and product photography. One of my strengths is photographing people that don’t like to have their photos taken. I want people to be comfortable in front of the camera and with their photographs.
As a professional photographer I’m trained to recognize what lenses, camera controls, and software to use; but I don’t want to take just another snapshot – anyone can do that. I continually study not only PHOTOGRAPHY, but also PSYCHOLOGY, MARKETING, and BRANDING. With this knowledge I am able to help my clients send the right message with the photos they use for their business.
For example, the BUSINESS PORTRAIT (commonly referred to as a HEADSHOT)…
A headshot is the most important photo on your website and social media because it is THE photo that represents you. It is the first thing that people see when they browse your profile and this is the mental image people are going to recall.
A combination of flattering poses and good lighting goes a long way, yet the most crucial part of a headshot is the facial expression. Even babies recognize facial expressions! Slight variations can be the difference between looking friendly and looking out-to-lunch. I just can’t ask a client to smile and expect a genuine expression – It takes time to entertain and engage people. BUT the reward is a photograph that shows something real and someone that people will want to connect with.
When was the last time you judged something based on how it looks? Your customers are doing the same thing. In today’s competitive world, 80% of people will research you and your company online before making a decision. 80%! Your photos are out there advertising your business to the world 24/7/365, yet most people use photos that are “good enough” without realizing the message they are sending their audience. Your photos can turn people away or inspire them to connect with you. The right photographs can actually give you a competitive edge. Remember, on the internet people don’t have to make excuses to walk away and choose someone else. Having high quality images for your business and brand is a priority.
Here is a simple exercise I do with my clients:
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what are your photos saying?
1st: Write down 3 adjectives that describe your BUSINESS and your HEADSHOT. I typically hear Approachable, Friendly, Professional.
Adjectives will vary based on your unique personality and your profession. A defense attorney might want theirs to say Confident, No-nonsense, and Top of Their Game. Whereas a veterinarian might want theirs to say Friendly, Respectable, and Knowledgeable.
2nd: Show your website and headshot to at least 10 people (preferably your target audience or random strangers). Ask them to use 3 adjectives to describe your website and your headshot. Please don’t ask your family or friends. They are completely biased by their love for you – they won’t tell you the honest truth. And they will naturally go for the big happy smiley photographs of you every time without considering what the images are being used for.
3rd: Tally up all their words. Is there a disconnection between your words and their words? Do your photos match the level of quality you provide?
To me, it’s always been about more than just showing up and snapping a few photos. By asking key questions, I can have a better grasp on my client’s brand and goals. As their photographer, my aim is to capture images that send the right message, communicate their value, and connect with their target audience.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Just in the past 10 years, the photography industry has changed immensely – from only a few people having cameras to everybody having one in their pocket. In the next 5-10 years, I can only imagine what the photography world will look like.
On one hand, technology has advanced from film to digital. On the other hand, film is making a comeback. While there will always be nostalgia, we are constantly pushing the boundaries. As cameras get smaller and more intelligent, photographers will need to dig deep to find their voice. I feel like I’m in a car and it keeps accelerating faster and faster. This is an exciting time to be in photography, with opportunities that didn’t exist in the past. A combination of photography and technology equals endless possibilities for future photographers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MaryannDavidson.com
- Phone: 678-603-0804
- Email: photos@MaryannDavidson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryanndavidsonphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryanndavidsonphotographer/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MDPPhotos
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryanndavidsonphotography
Atlanta Photographer Maryann Davidson Photography Glass Necklace with blue flower hung on black cord on white backgound
Image Credit:
Photos by Maryann Davidson Photography
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