The past number of months have been a whirlwind. Yet, there are some women entrepreneurs that are continuing to break the mold and shine like the stars they are! We're proud to introduce our Squish Stars campaign, highlighting incredible women entrepreneurs!
We were lucky to talk to
Brittany Olson, Owner and Photographer of Brittany Sturrett Photography LLC, and ask her some questions.
Tell us about your business? How did you get started?
Brittany: My Dad gave me my first 35mm Canon film camera when I was in high school and I fell in love. I went to an art high school which had a photo program giving me the knowledge of how to shoot with film and develop in a dark room. From there I was hooked! I went to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), got my BFA in Photography and moved to NYC with $500, a suitcase and a few freelance jobs at SAKS E-comm with no real "promise" of a full time position. I worked hard, waited tables for 7 years while on the side creating my photography business. It wasn't until I got my full time job as an Associate Photographer for Macy's for when everything started to shift and change for the better. I made so many connections while on set and learned so much that when I decided it was time for me to leave (4 years later) that I wanted to finally try to go full time freelance for myself. It was 7 years in the making for me to be my own boss and the everyday hustle to be better and do better beats a 9-5 working for someone else.
Brittany: The biggest shift for me was to try and figure out other ways to photograph for my clients without being around anyone. Shooting fashion shoots and weddings were a thing of the past for so many months that it was definitely hard. I focused on selling wedding albums to past couples or booking weddings for future dates. For my fashion shoots I set up a little studio in my apartment and tried to create images from home.
Brittany: On a professional level I learned that everyone is struggling to make changes and adapt to our new normal. I have learned to be more understanding and get back to my school roots for being crafty.
Brittany:
Other wedding businesses and photographers have inspired me to shift my way of conducting my business and advertising myself.
Brittany:
My biggest issues are advertising and promoting myself. I've gotten better with my wedding side and now I need to focus on my fashion side. I have a lot more content for my wedding work to help with a flow.
Brittany:
My biggest win is working for myself!
Brittany:
I have been meditating more which really helps.
Brittany:
Oh gosh! For the first time ever I started listening to the Howard Stern show (my husband got me hooked). I've never listened to it before this year and it's pretty amusing.
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