Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mantas Kubilinskas, Founder of Mantas Photography, located in Washington, DC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My name is Mantas Kubilinskas. I am a wedding photographer based in Washington, D.C. I specialize in a documentary and creative style of photography that is different from the traditional and posed photography commonly seen in the wedding industry. This style of photography is not for everyone but for the 5% of clients who appreciate and value the art and emotions captured in my photographs.
I have been fortunate to have built a successful photography business in Washington, D.C., and have received multiple awards for my work. However, my journey as a wedding photographer was not always easy. When I first started, I struggled to find clients who understood and appreciated my style of photography. Nevertheless, I was determined to prove that there was a market for this type of photography and that my approach was valuable.
Wedding photography is similar to music because many different styles and genres exist. Of course, pop music is the most popular and widely accepted, but alternative styles also appeal to a smaller audience. In the same way, my photography style appeals to a smaller audience, but for those who appreciate it, it is more meaningful and memorable. My approach to wedding photography is to capture the unique and memorable moments of a couple's big day and to provide my clients with photographs that have meaning, emotions, art, and value.
Tell us about yourself
One day, as I sat at my desk as an administrative officer at the Embassy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of boredom and monotony. I had been working there for two years and felt as though I was becoming a "vegetable," going through the motions without any real purpose or passion.
But things changed when I met my colleague, who was a photographer. We spent a lot of time chatting and sharing ideas, and he showed me the ways to start a photography business. I realized that my true passion was people. I loved chatting with them, hanging out with them, and creating meaningful moments through photography.
I knew that as a photographer, I would be able to document historical moments for each of my clients. This thought motivated me to pursue my dream of starting my own photography business. I knew that it would be hard work, but the thought of capturing special moments for my clients made it all worth it.
I left my job at the Embassy and dove headfirst into the world of photography. It wasn't easy, but with my passion for people and my love for creating meaningful moments, I was able to turn my hobby into a successful business.
Now, as a professional photographer, I am able to do what I love every day. I am able to connect with my clients and create memories that they will treasure for a lifetime. I may have started out as a "vegetable" at the Embassy, but now I am a passionate and successful photographer, thanks to my college and the lessons he taught me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have received numerous awards and accolades for my work as a wedding photographer, including:
- First Place Winner at the Rangefinder Wedding Contest in 2018
- Named as one of the 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography in 2017
- Recognized as one of the top 100 photographers in the US and Canada by SLR Lounge in 2016
- Awarded by the Wedding Photojournalist Association in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015
- Recognized as the Best of the Best for engagement photos in 2016, 2015, and 2014 by Junebug Weddings
Named as one of the top 30 Fearless Engagement Photographers in the world in 2015 - Won the Grand Prize at the Rangefinder Wedding Contest in 2014
- Featured in several collections by Fearless Photographers
- Received 35 Diamond Awards for my engagement portrait work
- Recognized by the Artistic Guild of Wedding Photojournalists with three awards. Here are some examples of it: https://www.mantasphoto.com/awards
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a one-person band in photography can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for a creative professional. As photographers, we often uniquely view the world, capturing moments and emotions that others may not see. However, being a one-person band means we are responsible for all aspects of our business, from capturing the images to editing them and promoting our work to the world.
After each photoshoot, we spend countless hours selecting the best images and editing them, which can take up to 30-40% of our time. This is a critical step in the process, as it ensures that our clients receive high-quality images that accurately reflect our vision. But the work doesn't stop there.
We also need to promote our work on social media. Otherwise, our business is likely to fail in today's digital world. Select images for a blog post, write it, and share it on various platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can take at least 4-5 hours just for one blog post. This takes another 20% of our time, leaving us with little time for other tasks.
In addition to the creative aspect of photography, we also need to be a jack of all trades, juggling client meetings, emails, phone calls, and zoom meetings. Writing contracts, managing finances, and other business-related tasks can be overwhelming, but it's all part of the job. Being a one-person band in photography can be a lot of hard work, but it teaches us many new skills and lets us completely control our creative vision. It's a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience.
Being a one-person band in photography is hard work, but it's also a unique and rewarding experience that lets us completely control our creative vision. From capturing the images to editing and promoting our job, we must wear many hats, from editors to accountants, managers, and more. But it's all worth it when we see our images come to life and share it with the world.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
As an entrepreneur, it's essential to focus on what you love to do and let others handle the tasks that take you away from your passion. One way to do this is by hiring an assistant from the very beginning. An assistant can manage your social media, emails, and other administrative tasks, freeing up your time to focus on what you do best.
To become a guru in your field, it's crucial always to be learning and improving your skills. The more you invest in yourself, the more valuable you will become to your clients, and the better rewards you will receive. This can include attending workshops, conferences, and networking events, reading industry publications, and keeping up with the latest trends and technologies.
Visibility is crucial to the success of any business. The more people know about what you do, the more likely they will become customers. You can increase your visibility by creating a solid online presence through social media, a website, and by participating in online forums and communities related to your industry. Additionally, you can use traditional marketing methods such as networking, word of mouth, and advertising to get your name out there.
In summary, if you want to be successful in business, focus on what you love, hire an assistant to handle the rest, invest in yourself to become a guru in your field, and ensure that everyone knows what you do. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to building a successful business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mantasphoto.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MantasKubilinskasPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mantaskubilinskasphotography/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MKubilinskas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mantaskubilinskas/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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