***All images in this post are copyright Christine Hall.***

NEXT WEEK:  Jessica Kettle

{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...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Christine, You are a long time pro at being a photographer and business woman!  You started a photography business when you had no children and now you are married with a little girl.  Things have become more compliciated and yet you seem to have a great sense of calm and ease about you.  I love what you've said about being yourself with your clients...especially since the majority are children!  Thanks for being on Women and Business!

Were you always in a retail space?  What made you decide to have a retail space? I started in my home and had it there for about four years.  One of my clients five or so years ago had a space that he was having trouble renting and he offered it to me fairly cheap. At the time I did not think I could afford it, but slowly he raised it over the years and as my business grew I decided to buy my studio in October of 2008. I am very thankful for him because he helped me take the first step and my business has grown because of it.

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?

I do both. I am just changing the way I do my workflow. I did have a color corrector, but am now going to outsource that to Lavalu , I have a graphic designer that does the albums and cards and I have a studio manager that answers phones, does the books and the sales.

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

I talk a lot! I used to be really shy and worried that the parents would think I was crazy. Since I have been doing it so long I find the more I let go and act silly, (I am not above licking my shoe to get a 5 year old to laugh) the more relaxed clients are.

I also gage what the child is comfortable with, some like it when you come and tickle and bounce around and others like a more subtle approach like asking them questions like if they like bugs on their ice cream or If I should wear my shoe on my head. I just ask a lot of crazy questions.

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Keep track of your numbers. The biggest mistake I made when I first started out was not knowing my numbers and just going with the flow. It is super important to know your cost of sales and to also make sure you are paying the appropriate taxes. I would also recommend to build relationships with your clients and with the owners of business that your clients frequent. But numbers numbers numbers !

It is great if you can take a great photo, but that is about 10% of the business.

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?

I love to spend time with my husband and daughter.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I am the proud that I am able to support my family and have my husband stay at home with our daughter. He comes and does the framing but it has allowed us flexibility. I am also proud of my studio I purchased and redid. It was a goal of mine a couple years ago and to see your goals become real is amazing.

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

We try to go on dates , but my favorite time is sitting in the backyard with him and a glass of wine.

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?

1. I did not have any children, I was like 21 at the time. So I met a mom that was in a playgroup and photographed some of the kids for Easter and sold them photos. Some are still my clients today 13 years later.

2. I did free sessions for owners of clothing stores. When I first started you have to remember that I did not have a website or seo or any of that stuff. So it was all based on relationships I created. 

3. Word of mouth goes a long way in Savannah! I spread it that way since we did not have websites back then.

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?

It does get stressful at times. I handle all of the bills and work a lot , but always remind myself what my dad tells me and that is God is in control. Not to say it has not put stress on our marriage but luckily he is a very patient man!

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?

Treat people the way I would like to be treated, be honest, and doing the kind of work that I like to do.

You are a mom, you have a little girl.  What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?  

She is five, so she is not that interested yet in my business. She does like to take photos of her peanut butter and jelly and dolls.

What have you done to create great family portrait clients?

Treated them as friends.

What do you think you do best?  What steps did you take?

I think I put people at ease, the steps I take are just being myself and not try to be anything I am not.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

I feel overwhelmed at times , I try to step back and see what I can do about it. I also write in my journal, recently I have been trying to exercise. I am still waiting to like that, but it does seem to take away some tension.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

A white erase board for albums

Spread sheets for shoots

And Ruth my studio manager!

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

Copy, give away everything, and not value what they do.

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Charge appropriately, get a business license and treat it as a business not a hobby. If it is a hobby…treat it as that, but if you are doing it to make money then do it right.

To see more of Christine's Work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright Christine Hall.***