Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen O’Shay.
Maureen O’Shay Photography began about 8 years ago while the O’Shay family was living in Chicago. Maureen has long had a passion for photography, and after her second daughter was born, she really wanted to find a way to work part time but be at home while her kids were little. She decided she would make her dream a reality and launched Maureen O’Shay Photography in July 2010. She began photographing friends and neighbors, taking class and practicing all the time. When the baby was napping, she’d photograph her oldest daughter in the front yard. She had her camera with her everywhere she went, honing her technique and learning as she went.
Throughout the last 8 years, the O’Shay family has moved a few times – each time Maureen had to restart her client-based business. Always up for the challenge, Maureen applied her background in marketing and public relations to help get her name out there and partner with other businesses. She follows up with an exceptional client experience that has made her business nearly 100% referral based. She specializes in a finished product featuring custom designed wall art and albums to treasure for a lifetime. Maureen offers a “Senior Portrait Experience” for her high school senior clients, complete with professional hair and make-up and a coupon to a Cinco Ranch-based boutique. Maureen’s work has been featured on the cover of several magazines both in Katy and in Austin.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No! There have been many bumps in the road and learning curves along the way. Moving from Chicago to Austin and then to Katy is a challenge for any client-based business. While living in Austin, Maureen was side tracked for about a year while fighting Crohn’s Disease. Healthy now, there are always struggles in business – but the struggle is what makes you better.
Please tell us about Maureen O’Shay Photography.
I am a professional photographer. I specialize in family and senior photography and offering a finished product.
I meet with clients to plan the session, help with wardrobe and we meet again after the session to design albums and wall art. I also install wall art as I want my clients to relax and enjoy the process. My clients love that they aren’t stuck with a jump drive of photos in their junk drawer. They photos are up on their walls for the family to enjoy for years to come.
I am most proud of our focus on the customer experience and our focus on giving back to our community. I love to keep in touch with my clients long after the session has come and gone and donate to many of their schools and charities.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Great question! I am not sure I would change anything. Maybe invested in a client management software sooner! Just to make my life easier… but the business has evolved so nicely.
Pricing:
- Session fee for families and seniors is $300
- Wall art starts at $400
- Albums start at 1,000.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maureenoshay.com
- Phone: 850-321-6119
- Email: maureen@maureenoshay.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/maureenoshay
- Facebook: facebook.com/maureenoshayphotography
Image Credit:
I took all the photos except for the photo of me with my girls. Laura Chiles Atabala took it.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
