« Move it Monday. | Main | THE big F-I-V-E Party. Part I. »

Women and Business: Angie Monson

Posted on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 08:37AM by Registered CommenterDavina in | Comments23 Comments | References7 References

***All images in this post are copyright Angie Monson***

NEXT WEEK:  Allegra

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

Make sure to check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Angie, You were nominated by a couple of women who wanted to hear how you do it all.  I had not heard of you up to that point...as soon as I got the nominations I started hearing about you everywhere.  People are talking about you on forums!  In the last couple of years you'v gotten a lot of things right.  I'm so glad you are here. Thanks so much for being on Women and Business.

How long have you been in business?

7 years, 4 years of that part time, 3 years full time.

What was the process you went through to get things running smoothly?

Finding my style and getting my name out there, after that it has gone fairly smoothly.

What do you do to keep things simple in your life and studio?

I have started toseparatebusiness from home more and now my twins are in daycare 2 full days a week so I can gets things done and be a better mom when I am with them.

What do you think are the top three things you must do as a business woman every day?

1. Focus, I make a list every day.

2. Try to not get emotional... this one is hard being a woman, but business is business.

3. I try to stay on top of my work daily so I don't get behind and stressed out.

What do you think are the top three things you must do as a mom and wife every day?

1. kiss your children every day and hold them tight,, this comes naturally to me but I think it is SO important. I think my kids are sick of me kissing them all the time.

2. Turn off the TV and walk away from the computer and have a daily chat with your hubby, he needs attention just as much as the kiddos. I have really had to work on this one!

3. Play as a family. Even if it's 5 minutes.

Your business and style of shooting have really evolved over the last 2 years. What steps do you think you’ve gone through to get to this point in your business and your style?

Lots of workshops. Lots of online learning. Shooting often. I feel like I learn something new EVERY time I shoot.

I really have pushed myself because I wanted toseparatemyself from the other 500+ (maybe I amexaggerating, okay maybe not) photographers in Utah. I love fashion and I really wanted to incorporate high fashion with my kids sessions. I really love editorial work so that is what I am trying toachieve.

I think when I started to get a good response from my clients this really helped me realize that I CAN do this, I can be who I want to be, not what I think people want me to be.

You’ve gone to numerous workshops. What do you think you took away from each of them? If someone had to choose just one workshop to go to, which would you recommend?

Brianna Graham: That was a huge turning point in my business, I was still a newbie with digital. I used to shoot film. Seeing how she photoshopped and posed her clients was HUGE for me. I highly recommend that workshop if you need some inspiration.

Image is Found Workshop: I love their edgy wedding style. It was fun to see their perspective and their workflow.

One Light Workshop: This was a really cool workshop, but to honestly it was a bit over my head and all crammed into one day, at the time and I was more interested in hanging out with the otherattendees!

Skye Hardwick Business workshop: I loved how this one just pushed me to be more of a business woman. I knew what I needed to do before hand, but this just pushed me harder to do it. I loved how she showed us to not get emotional and to really create boundaries in our business.

What do you do to separate yourself from your business?

Gosh that is a hard one! It's funny because if I am slow it takes me a few days to figure out what to do with myself! My family is really into just being outdoors, we go hiking and river rafting, but with have 2 year old twins it's hard to do anything hardcore! Just keeping active is what I like to do in my spare time. I also just love to shop, really for anything,,, even dishsoap.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

1. My Mac, love it.

2. My Iphone, can't leave home without it.

3. My brain, seriously I remember a lot of stuffpertainingto my business but if you ask me what I ate for lunch yesterday I have no clue.

With so many things on your plate, what do you do to market your business? How does that fit into your busy schedule?

I am pretty much all word of mouth right now. I do work with Children's Hour, a children's boutique and we help marketeach-other. Other than that blogging is my best form of advertising.

What do you think are the three smartest ways to market your business when you’re starting out?

1. Figure out who your market is and try to get your work hung up where those type of people will shop.

2. Telling everyone what you do for a living, somehow bring it up in your conversation. Give out your cards, you never know when they will need you but most of the time they willremember what you do.

3. Doing promos or offer modeling specials to promote your work, this will also build your portfolio.

What plans do you have for your business this year? How will your plans impact your family?

1. SENIORS! So excited for this one. With seniors I have some new outdoor lighting I will be using.

2. Work less, make more.

3. Less family sessions, I may only offer children, seniors, and weddings next year and refer family sessions to other photographers.

What 5 tips do you have for women to help them maintain a balance in their lives between everything they have to do?

1. Do something other than photography to ground yourself, workout, sing, jumprope...

2. Set certain times to work, stick to it. This one is HARD!

3. Get enough sleep, no one likes a grouchy photographer.

4. Write down a plan... if you want to do 10 sessions a month, keep to it. People will want you even more if you can't book them right away.

5. Stop and smell the flowers, cheesy but true.

Are there times that you feel overwhelmed? What do you do?

Often, I talk it out. I have a lot very supportive people in my life. My sisters, my friend Jess and of course my hubby. I am the type of person that wants things done right away, I am impatient! So if there is a problem, I fix it.

You have a friend, Jess, that is also a photographer. How did that relationship come about and how has it helped you in your career?

Ah... Jess, she is one of my best friends. We talk often. It has been really nice to share pretty much everything witheach-other. In this business sometimes I feel like I have to protect what I know, which I feel takes so much energy, it is nice to have a person that understands it all and I can go to.

To see more of Angie's Work:

Angie's Website

Angie's Blog

 

***All images in this post are copyright Angie Monson***

 

 

*tell a friend*

 

 

References (7)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.
  • Response
    Superb Site, Carry on the fantastic job. Thanks a ton!
  • Response
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson
  • Response
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson
  • Response
    Response: hayansalt.co.kr
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson
  • Response
    Response: health care
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson
  • Response
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson
  • Response
    Response: conceive boy baby
    Davina's Blog - Davina's Blog - Women and Business: Angie Monson

Reader Comments (23)

Oh wow, the imagery is stunning!! Thank you for the great read too - excellent interview! Love Affair Workshop

May 7, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBrandi

OOH I love Angie's work! Great interview!

May 7, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCarly

Love the Q & A! I think whether it is being a wife, mother, photographer or anything you do in life we can never stop learning. Having just recently start up my photography business after several years off (I did photography before the digital age) I am hungry for outside info from other photographers and what they do to make their business tick. Loved the info! Thanks!LOVE AFFAIR WORKSHOP!

May 7, 2009 | Unregistered Commentervaleria

It was really encouraging to read this interview. Angie's work is amazing and it's inspiring to see how she combines her passion for photography with her roles as wife and mother. Thank you for featuring her work and her life...loved it. -Love Affair Workshop

May 7, 2009 | Unregistered Commentersara martin

This is such a great post. I love reading about how other busy moms balance their businesses and families. I've only been in business a few years and LOVE learning from others and gaining new ideas and inspiration.

Please keep finding great women to interview!

-Melissa
Love Affair Workshop

May 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa Coe

I just love all the beautiful colors in her photos. Fabulous!

Love Affair Workshop

May 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBrittany

Love this interview! It is so refreshing to read about other women photographers and the way they deal with this buisness. Angie is super talented. My husband and i bought your GTKY kit and it has been very helpful. i hope i get a chance to learn more from you at the... Love Affair Workshop!

May 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHannah M. Finley

Loving this series - I've been following Angie on google reader for ages now and it's so nice to hear that seasoned pros have some of the same feelings I do (like learning / discovering something new on every shoot!). Love Affair Workshop

May 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDeena Riley

Definitely not a photographer but love reading about how you keep all your roles balanced. As a business woman running an office with 8 therapists ... love it but enjoying reading how other women do 'it'

I am so glad you do these interviews! I read everyone and often forward them on to my DH. He often will start mentioning that someone said in their interview (usually when it comes down to money, time, and talent). I also enjoy your couple words at the end of every blog. They make me smile. :) ***Love Affair Workshop!!!***

May 9, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSmith

Thank you for doing this Q&A! Very helpful! Reminds me that I need to get my butt in gear!-Love Affair Workshop

May 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAimee Dugas

Beautiful colors! Absolutely stunning. Also, thanks for the interviews...very inspiring! Love Affair Workshop

May 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSamantha Bender

Wow Angie your the best and oh so uber duber talented. I too love readng all of these interveiws.

May 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJess

Well.. I am an everyday "Simplicity Photography" and "Simplicity Designs" site stalker! I love Angie's photographs, and they never cease to amaze me. I have purchased several of her designs for photographers, and I love them. Her colors are amazing! The way she frames her photographs... awesome! I have always admired her work, and hope to one day be even HALF as successful and talented as she is. It doesn't get much better than her... Or.. LOVE AFFAIR WORKSHOP!!

May 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAshley McCarty

I cannot thank you enough for this post! Angie is a photographer who has inspired me for some time now, and as a photographer who is just starting her business full time and struggling with the many ups and downs (emotional and business related) this interview was an uplifting and welcome read! It's nice to know that I am not the only one going through the same struggles and trying to overcome the same obstacles. It's also EXTREMELY nice to see that it is really is possible to have your dream come true and do what you love! Thank you so much for your Women in Business segments- they are an inspiration! Love Affair Workshop!

May 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCynthia Spivack

I love her work...I have been blog stalking her blog for awhile now and I am inspired each time I visit it!! LOVE AFFAIR WORKSHOP!!

May 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJessica Hollis

Wow!! I love that Angie thought to pair children with high fashion... it makes her children's photography quite unique and fun to look at! A very encouraging interview! Thanks!! Love Affair Workshop!!

May 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterChristina Shippey

I love Angie and her work is amazing.

May 13, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBecca brough

I read her blog daily and she is a source of inspiration for me! So happy to see her featured on here. :)

May 13, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLesley

Wonderful interview. Another fantastic photographer who reminds me of Angie is Kara May. I would love to see an interview with her. Her website is: www.karamayphotography.com these ladies are huge inspirations to me. Keep'em coming!!!

May 13, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNathalie

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>