**All images in this post are copyright Maile Wilson.***

 

NEXT WEEK: Gone to Love Affair for the next two weeks.  Sept. 23:  Skye Hardwicke

{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!
 

Maile, You have wonderful work, have made deep, lasting, and meaningful connections with other women photographers and artists around the world, and you are so real.  I love the honesty and humor that is in everything that you do.  I'm thrilled to have you on Women and Business today.  Thank you!

 

My number one question is...how do you say your name? :)
It’s pronounced “Mylie”, as in Cyrus.  :)

How long have you been a professional photographer?
I’ve been shooting professionally for over fifteen years. But I started at a Glamour studio in the 90s. So most of my early work could supply www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com with at least a year’s worth of content.

Are you in a retail space or a home studio?  What made you decide to have the space you have?
I’ve had 4 different retail spaces over the years, and have a love/hate relationship with them. After letting my last lease run out in January, I admitted to myself that the part I like best about having a studio is initially decorating it: choosing paint, furniture, color schemes. After the newness wears off, I get bored with shooting there, start to persuade my clients to go on location, then feel ridiculous for paying rent on a largely un-used space. Right now I lease office space.

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

I don’t shoot weddings, so I edit everything myself. I also used to be really bad at saying “no”, which would turn me into an insane nocturnal beast during the busy holiday season. I’ve learned to draw boundaries and delegate. But I’m still dying to take one of Millie’s workshops so she can teach me how to be organized.

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

I talk, ask lots of questions, and treat the session as if it were a lunch date with a friend. Pretty soon people forget about the camera, and then I pounce. Just kidding. That visual just made me laugh.  :)

How did you become such a fun writer?

I don’t think of myself as a writer, as much as a talker. I write the same way that I speak. My paragraphs are littered with run-ons and fragments. This was a challenge when we were collaborating on the Shutter Sisters book. But when I’m stuck, I usually just ask myself “what’s the most honest way to say this.”

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?
Whenever I get these emails, (and this is going to sound so canned) I honestly refer them the Love Affair Workshop. I’ve always wanted to go, and it looks like one of the best ones out there. Other than that, I just say practice and shoot everything. Bring your camera everywhere and read inspiring blogs. There are SO many resources online now. There’s never been a better time to learn photography.


If you have children, do you homeschool them?  If so, how do you fit that into your already very busy schedule?

I have three children. I don’t homeschool them. But sometimes I wish I could find a way to make that happen. It seems to me like the moms I know who homeschool have a lot more freedom in their schedules. 

How do you keep so many things organized?

I have a full time nanny who helps with my kids. She also keeps the house in order, cooks dinners... it’s possible that she might have saved my life. I also have fantastic people helping me with Epiphanie. And my husband is very supportive. There’s no way I could do all of this by myself.

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

Hang out with friends, read, go to movies, watch trash television. I feel like there’s so much I want to do, I’m never bored.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I’m proud (and feel blessed and lucky) that I created a job that doesn’t feel like work. 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

We laugh together. It sounds cheesy, but we both have the same absurd sense of humor. And even after sixteen years, there’s usually at least one moment during the day that he’ll make me gut laugh about something. That makes it fun, since we’re pretty bad at planning date nights.

 

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

1. I made sure every client I had was as happy as I could make them. 2. blogged a lot 3. Made friends with other businesses and teamed up with them for different promos.

 

I love the name of your blog.  How did that name come about?

 I was reading a magazine about a lady who owned a boutique in Florida named “Relish”, and loved it.

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

 We’re pretty honest with each other. If something’s not working, we usually talk about it, and work it out.

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

Blog. By far, BLOG.

You are a mom, how old are your children?  What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?

My children are 10, 7 and 5. My business has been such an integral part of my life, I’m not sure they could feel like they weren’t a part of it. Every time my poor husband would be laying down another laminate floor for yet another (“I-have-to-have-it”) studio, there my kids would be curled around the laptop watching cartoons. Hammers, nails, sawdust flying around. It’s an “adventure”. Right? I hope.  :)

What do you do to keep your family strong?

We hang out a lot on the weekends, and try not to overstimulate the kids with too many activities. I think that can run a family ragged. We also try to make traditions by turning mundane things into fun events. Like every week we all sit down to watch Cake Boss. It’s simple, but by dragging the couch up to the TV and cuddling under blankets together, it makes it feel like a little ritual to look forward to.

You are one of the contributors to the Shutter Sisters blog.  How did that opportunity come about?

A few years ago, I stumbled on a blog called Picture This. Tracey (the now founder of Shutter Sisters) was the writer, and we got to know each other online. One day she asked me if I’d like to be a contributor for her her new collaborative blog. I was thrilled.

What is your favorite thing about being part of Shutter Sisters?

I love watching how much it continues to grow, as well as being a part of such a wonderful community. It’s not easy to create such a fantastic sense of inclusiveness. Tracey, and the other sisters have done a great job with it.

You travel quite a bit.  How do you make this easier on your children?  How do they feel about how often you travel?

The amount of traveling I’ve been doing lately isn’t normal for me. Things just aligned to make it a really hectic summer. I’m lucky because Jason is a really hands-on dad, so they’re mostly concerned with what toy I’m going to bring back to them. Still, after the last trip which is scheduled next month, I will enjoy staying home for the rest of the year. It’s always about balance, isn’t it?

What three products or things help you stay organized?

Things, my iPhone, My Epiphanie Bag (of course :))

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

Compare.

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

Be authentic.

You switched to mac a little while ago and were hating it.  Have you and your mac hugged and made up or are you still wanting to wring it's neck...if it had one?  (I switched last year and felt the same way....)

OMG. The first day after purchasing it, I spent a half an hour googling “how to cut and paste on a mac”. I had no idea how much of a learning curve it would be. But we’re on speaking terms now (sort of). Not about to rush into a long term relationship just yet.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?
Learn to say no. If you say yes to everything, you will never have time for what means most to you.
Be yourself. Otherwise the people you attract will exhaust the hell out of you. 
Let go of having to do it perfectly.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Live life the way you picture it. (life list inspired by Maggie)


To see more of Maile's work:

website

blog

epiphanie

shutter sisters

shutter sisters book

**All images in this post are copyright Maile Wilson.***