Capturing Life's Treasured Moments - Specialty Photography

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Deanna Belser, owner of Specialty Photography, located in Venus, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Specialty Photography is a Boutique Portrait Studio that specializes in helping today's modern family to capture milestones and enjoy the beautiful art in their homes. Our Mission is to "Capture Life, Create Amazing Art, and Celebrate the Love within your Family." We are a full-time portrait studio capturing amazing moments of life. Maternity, Newborn, Children, Family, High School Seniors, Preschool. Sports and Real Estate.

Our clients, of course, are new moms and families who want to preserve special moments and have them captured in photographs. We also have clients that are business professionals looking to put their best face forward with a professional headshot. Another aspect of our business caters to daycare/preschool directors who need professional preschool photos.

Tell us about yourself

First of all, I am a Child of God and seek to serve Him daily in my life. I have been married to my husband for 35 years and have two amazing grown children with families we adore. The most beautiful granddaughters, who call me Mimsy. I love being a Mimsy! I love to travel with my hubby, take walks, sit outside and enjoy the sunsets, read, digitally paint, scrapbook, and of course, I love photos and the stories that they tell. I love getting to know my clients, learning about their families, and really just becoming friends.

I studied photography at the New York Institute of photography and through Professional Photographers of America. I am an award-winning certified professional photographer. I am an active member of PPA (Professional Photographer of America) and TPPA (Texas Professional Photographer Association). I stay involved with the industry and keep up with continuing education to always improve and grow my skills in lighting, posing, and technique. I do this by attending conferences throughout the year, online webinars, and attending local guild meetings and workshops in the DFW area.

What motivates me each and every day to do what I love is simply this. The moments that I capture are a blessing to someone's family. It is an heirloom item that they will likely cherish and share with future generations. It is about capturing that special moment in time that will never be again. That is what makes doing what I do so meaningful.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Earning my Certification as a Professional Photographer in 2015 through the PPA (Professional Photographers of America). To earn this certification, you have to pass a written test that shows that you know your technical skills in all things photography. Once you pass the written test, then you submit your images that showcase your skill and proficiency to a panel of master photographers. Once you have passed both of these, you earn your certification. Then every three years, you have to re-certify. This is where continuing education during those three years comes into play to be able to stay up to date with industry stands and skills.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is simply balancing it all. Even though I am a photographer, there are so many other things that I do every day that do not always involve clicking the camera but are required to keep a business running. You have to be an accountant, marketer, designer, receptionist (handing emails, phone calls, bookings, consultations, etc.), placing orders and handling packaging, managing online galleries and ordering appointments, editing sessions, set designing, social media guru, and so much more that happens behind the scenes that no one ever sees. But, it is all so important to keep everything running smoothly.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Know WHY you want to start your business. You have to love it and know WHY you are doing it because it will require many hours of hard work and sacrifice to make it happen.
2. Know your industry and what you are offering to the public. How will your business serve the community and the people you are marketing to?
3. Get all your business licenses, federal tax id, state sales tax permit, etc., that you need to operate and run a legitimate business right from the start.
4. Believe in yourself and START!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.specialtyphotography.biz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialtyphotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialtyphotography/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/specialtyphotog

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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