Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Gibson.
Hi Michele, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my photography and videography business in 2021 following quarantine. During the times when everything was starting to open back up in Texas, I reunited with friends who greatly motivated me to take more chances with bolder faith that God would open doors. I chose photography and videography because it has been the main focus of my studies for about 4 years.
It has been a year now and I have learned so much about starting a business from reading, watching helpful YouTube videos from those in the field, and just jumping into the deep end with marketing and advertising. It was rough to start, and I definitely pushed myself financially and socially, but the rewards have been great.
I’ve learned much about budgeting, best scheduling practices, online presentations, legality stuff, and more. So, I’m excited to see where this second year of operation will take me. Hopefully less building and more producing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has most certainly never been smooth. I found myself in tears a lot during the marketing and advertising phase of my year one. I would pour hundreds of dollars, which is a lot for a recent grad who works part-time, into outreach events. From the entrance fees for holiday events, wedding expos, and community outreaches to the amount of money and thought poured into the decor, because I created Photo Backdrops from scratch, it was grueling.
I consistently would either not make my money back or would barely make even from my booths. The upside was that I was making my business known, I was meeting cool people and fellow entrepreneurs, and I was able to collect contacts that would reach out about my services.
I was emotionally and physically exhausted when I finally reached my one-year anniversary in May of 2022. I’m actually just now, as of Oct. 2022, getting back onto the horse with building and producing for my business because I’ve allowed myself the necessary time to recover and analyze everything I have done in the first year.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
CookieSnaps HTX is a photography and videography business based in Pearland, TX but servicing the Greater Houston area. I love to travel and that love definitely goes into my business. I’m constantly looking for new places around Texas to take clients. I even have a list on my website’s service page, cookiesnapshtx.com.
My esthetic for photos and videos is to recreate them in the way we see the world naturally but brighter. So, my look for each couple, family, individual, grad, wedding, etc., will never look exactly the same because the world around us and the people in it don’t look the same. And my services are priced for the more simplistic consumer. I’m not a big budget servicer just yet but for those who want quality photos & videos that capture the unique moments in their lives. I’m your girl!
I’m most proud of my improvements to my skill sets and knowledge of how to run a business. I have grown a lot over the year from learning from others and just simply reading. It’s been rewarding to catalog that growth on my IG, @cookiesnaps_htx, and share what I’ve learned with others through my IG Lives. I’m also proud to be a representative for black, female entrepreneurs because there are a lot of stigmas around black people and black females.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to update my website and my social media platforms. I want to create more art for myself and be more straightforward in showing my work. I aim to continue my outreaches at local events and try new ways to market. I also plan to pace myself more rather than jumping in deep again. Now that I have had a taste of going through multiple channels for marketing and advertising, I can move more wisely with the ones that yielded the best returns.
I also plan to upgrade my Canon DSLR that I have been using since 2014, old!! She has served me well for so long, but I am ready to not fight her anymore with the focus. And this way I will have two amazing cameras for when I have dual client requests.
Pricing:
- Portrait Special, $10 off with code Voyage10
- Engagement Special, $75 off with code Voyage75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cookiesnapshtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookiesnaps_htx/
Image Credits
CookieSnaps HTX – Michele Gibson
