Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany McKinley.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Like most photographers, I found myself falling in love with cameras and photography at a young age. I remember my first camera, it was film…aaaand now I feel old. Yikes.
My first camera was a Kodak 110…and we went everywhere together. You know, both ways uphill in the snow, barefoot and all that stuff. I took a photography class in high school, developing the film in a dark room. You will never forget that smell!
I have owned some sort of camera since the 90s and have taken millions and millions of photos since. I tend to be on the more creative side of photography, and I also find that technicalities can make or break your photo.
From about 2005 to 2010, friends and family hassled me over and over about making a business out of this. They said I ‘had an eye’ for photography. I’m not sure what my other eye is for, but I definitely use both to create some freaking fire photos. Just saying.
I appreciate their efforts, support, and peer pressure…because, over the years, I have met some truly amazing people and made some breathtaking art. I’ve built and transformed this struggling small business to a whole freaking success story. Hella cool.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you go into business for yourself, there’s literally a never-ending list of worries and struggles. It’s a big leap of faith and there’s no safety harness. Sound terrifying? It totally is.
These days, it seems like everyone who gets a camera for Christmas starts their own photography business. The biggest struggle, for me, was setting myself apart from them. I needed to learn to market where I was different and how I was a better choice. Like, why choose me? Once I realized what that was, it was like my safety harness appeared and I was ready to jump off any edge I came to.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the beginning, I thought you had to offer every type of photography service. I was young, inexperienced, and had no real mentor for these types of advice. It was probably my biggest setback. It took years before I finally settled into being a portrait photographer, and now…now that’s my specialty. I am a professional portrait photographer. We can add in that I’m internationally published, because that sounds rad, too.
My style is deep, rich and vibrant color. I don’t really follow current trends in the photography world, so my images will never go out of style. They’re classic and timeless. I would also consider myself more of an artist than photographer, though. I take photos with a camera, yes, but the level of attention and focus on even the tiniest details from shooting to editing is where I lean more towards an artist. I create masterpieces for my clients. They’re not just portraits. They’re works of art. People will stop and stare when they see the images on the wall.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Imposter Syndrome is the devil. I’ve been in business for almost 15 years now, and I still struggle with this from time to time. Imposter Syndrome, by definition, is basically incredibly strong self-doubt that drowns out any and all success you’ve accomplished. I am my biggest critic, and it took my YEARS to love my work.
I try to remember that there will always be someone better. There’s no denying that. However, my best advice, to myself (and others), is to remember the only photographer/artist you should compare yourself to is the one you were yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tiffanymckinley.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tiffanymckinleyphotography
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TiffanyMcKinleyPhoto
