Today we’d like to introduce you to Laci Patten.
Laci, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story starts when my daughter was born 7 years ago now. At the time, I had just my old blackberry cellphone taking photos of her! Well, when she started crawling and being mobile I found it time to get a DSLR to capture her movements. I ended up getting a Nikon D3100 with just the kit lens for her.
When she was around 2, I was really into the children’s boutique clothing scene and signed my daughter up to be a boutique model, so I decided to learn to take photos of her to submit to the boutiques. So I guess you could say I pretty much started out as a “mom-tographer” 😉 but it started growing into a passion. I started studying youtube videos, taking online classes/mentor class and even studied with in-person mentors in the Houston area.
About 3 years ago, I started my business officially after practicing for about 2 years and building a portfolio, and I haven’t turned back! Today I solely focus on children and families, with my main focus being children’s photography. I absolutely love capturing moments in time for families that they can treasure for a lifetime.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it been a smooth road, however, it has been a fun and challenging one! I love learning and growing each year. I would say the hardest thing is obviously building up your clientele and finding people who fit and appreciate your business model. I have some of the best clients who return each year, sometimes several times and year and send me referrals and you can’t beat that! A lot of photographers come into the business thinking you can just take a picture, however, there is so much training that goes into having a photography business, from not only the actual photography side but the editing, posing and most important of all the business side.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Well, I am a family and children’s portrait photographer located in the Woodlands, TX, however, I service the surrounding areas of Houston, Conroe, Tomball, etc as well! I specialize in children’s photography. That is my passion, I love getting to capture a child’s personality on camera. Their sweet smiles or mischievous grins, their laughs, cries, giggles, tantrums, you name it.
For families, I give them a complete photography experience. For full-service clients they get a styling guide, mini sessions and full sessions get complete access to my children’s wardrobe, and after answering a brief questionnaire, I take the time to fully scout and chose a location I feel will best fit the family and/or child’s session. LLP clients who book full sessions get a choice of a custom USB or prints with their session and every session has the opportunity to purchase items a la carte.
I want to ensure my clients are printing their images and displaying them, and not just letting them sit on their computer. I feel giving each client a custom experience, sets me apart from others, as well as my editing style. I offer traditional posed shots along with candids.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! Houston and the surrounding areas are very diverse and well populated. There is plenty of clients out there for everyone as Houston is the 4th largest city in the US! I would definitely recommend anyone start out here.
Pricing:
- All portrait sessions require a retainer of $50-200 depending on session
- Average Laci Leigh Photography customer spend $650-$1000
- Mini sessions are offered only 4 times a year
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lacileighphotography.com
- Phone: 281-414-2006
- Email: lacileighphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacileighphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacileighphotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laci-leigh-photography-the-woodlands-2
- Other: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+LaciLeighPhotographyTheWoodlands
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