From Hobby to High-End: Mastering the Art and Business of Photography with Alena Johnsen

Tune in for today’s episode of “Focus on Business” where Jane Goodrich sits down with Alena Johnsen, a talented fine art photographer who, alongside her husband, runs two successful photography businesses in Florida. 

Alena shares her impressive journey, from first picking up photography after being inspired by a friend’s camera skills, to becoming a sought-after photographer for high-end weddings and events, and eventually opening a physical studio in Tallahassee. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of moving her business after a hurricane, the importance of adaptability, and the lessons she's learned from balancing a growing business with family life.

Alena also emphasizes the critical role of mentorship in her career and offers practical advice for new photographers on the importance of understanding the business side of their craft. We dive into her strategies for marketing, and the importance of in-person networking and building relationships as key methods for growing a business. She talks about her experience managing the seasonality of the photography business in a vacation-heavy area and stresses the need for photographers to give themselves time to understand their market before making drastic changes to their business model. 

Key Takeaways:

• Having a business-oriented photography mentor early in your career can help you avoid common pitfalls and gain insight into pricing, client management, and other business essentials.
• In-person networking, building relationships, and utilizing existing client relationships are powerful tools that are more effective than relying solely on social media or digital marketing to grow a photography business. 
• Alena’s story is a reminder that it’s okay to start small, such as being a second shooter at weddings, and gradually build your business and expertise over time. The most important thing is being open to new opportunities and continuously evolving as a professional.

You can find Alena at:
Ti-Adoro.com
https://www.instagram.com/ti_adoro_studios/
https://www.instagram.com/ti_adoro_studios_tallahassee/
https://www.instagram.com/alenaweddings/ 

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You can find Jane at
https://www.Janegoodrich.com
https://www.instagram.com/jane.goodrich
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYfForhibA6mLABnAlne8_Q

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