Shelly Fry Photography

Well it’s been 20 months since I have moved my business to my dream studio here in Brush Prairie, WA. I gave up a highly visible but smaller and older studio on Main St. Battle Ground and moved here with high hopes. I still pinch myself because some days I still can’t believe its true. It’s been 10 years since I decided to pursue photography full time. In this weeks blog I am going to sketch out a quick outline of the growth of SFP over the past 10 years.

2013 -Year 1

The funny thing is I didn’t even realize it was year one. It was 2013 and I had just finished what would be my last year of teaching. I was feeling a bit lost and very uncertain of what the future held for me. I had never considered a future that didn’t include teaching. I spent a lot of time wandering around taking landscape pictures. A friend of mine encouraged me to try and sell those landscape images. This would be the beginning of what would lead to a few years of selling some landscapes. I would also realize I prefer working with people to wandering around the wilderness alone. 

Most importantly this is the year that a family approached me and asked if I would take their family’s pictures. That was November 2013. That was the beginning of my slow switch to focusing on portrait photography over landscape photography

2014-2015

I fought my fear and imposters syndrome. I felt like a fraud. Without any formal training in photography who was I to claim to be a photographer? I spent lots of time teaching myself. I practiced and practiced and eventually learned to shoot manually.  I felt very alone and wished I had a mentor to turn to. I learned how to be resourceful and decided I didn’t have anything else to do so I continued to push towards becoming a photographer. Thankfully people within my community reached out to me and asked me to photograph them. I was encouraged by their support and seriously did a happy dance every single time someone booked me (still do!).

I began a Project 365 where I challenged myself to take a picture with my “big girl camera” and post it each day. I give a lot of credit to this challenge. I really helped me learn my camera and get consistent with photography. Here is a link to my very first blog post where I began sharing this project https://shellyfryphotography.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=155&action=edit

2015 – Opened my first location

This was a huge step for me. I wasn’t looking to work from anywhere but home or Starbucks. I was into my second year of being a photographer and I still didn’t have a plan. When a friend approached me about an office space she had available for rent it caught me off guard. Once again the voices inside my head said “who are you to need an office space?” But the price was low and I thought why not?! I see this as a huge turning point. It was from this small space that I slowly realized I had started a business. There were many days I sat there staring out the window and crying because I had nothing to do. I was profoundly discouraged.  However, I made a very important decision in that space. I decided to show up. To show up and learn and be present and keep praying that it would all come together.

I spent 3 years in that space and made the full transition away from landscape photography to portrait work. I hired someone to design a website for me. I designed business cards and began a weekly blog. I also set my first pricing (that was terrifying). My head was finally in line with what I had been doing. I had the full realization that I had my own photography business. 

2016 – Discovered Networking

I joined a networking organization which met each week. It was here I learned how to be more confident as a business owner and a photographer. I learned how to pitch myself and I met other small business owners. I grew a lot during this year. Photographing weddings as well as more families and seniors.

2017 – Main St. Battle Ground!

I had begun to dream of having a proper studio. I couldn’t image how on earth I could afford such a thing. I had even looked at a space in downtown Vancouver and was quickly humbled by the enormity of it all. I wanted a space where I could not only meet with clients but actually set up and shoot in! Very unexpectedly as I was walking down Main street one day I noticed an empty space. Initially I wasn’t going to call because I was sure it would be too much money. But then I did. It was indeed too much money but the call led to some very important information. The owner mentioned who was moving in. It was another business down the street. I quickly called them and was shocked to learn the rent for that smaller space was affordable to me!! 

I moved into my new studio space in August of 2017. I was amazed! Never did I think I would be able to have my own space like this! I had my name on the window and space in the back for sessions! It was such an amazing feeling to realize that by showing up, challenging myself to learn and pushing through my fears I had arrived on Main St!

 I would spend the next 5 years at this location. I continued to photograph seniors, families, weddings and headshots. There have also been other random sessions. I loved the variety and flexibility of my job. I continued to be thankful for my space on Main street but felt myself outgrowing the space and wondering if there could be something more in the future.

2022 – Brush Prairie Location

I honestly did not see this one coming! The first time I stepped through the doors of my studio I felt myself trembling. I’m not exaggerating!! Never, ever did I imagine this would be my future. God works in mysterious ways! I have had an amazing time learning all the ways I can use my studio space. Both inside and outside offer so many options. I have built many different sets and created a wide variety of looks here. I love meeting my clients in the space as I show them their galleries or welcome them in for their sessions.

We had a very successful holiday mini session last year and I’m looking forward to many more in the years to come! While I would have loved to be one of those overnight success stories, that has not been in the cards for me! I am so thankful and proud that I have lasted for 10 years! The statistics for small businesses states that most close within a few years and that overall the lifespan of a small business is 8.5 years. 

2023 – 10 years

I strive to stay positive. I have much to be thankful for. I cannot believe this is my 10th year! But honestly as I think back over these 10 years I can remember lots of fear, disappointment, frustration and an overwhelming feeling of what am I doing???!!!! This small business thing is no joke! It challenges you. The greatest gift I have been given these past 10 years is the support of my family and friends….and the support of each and every client that has trusted me with their photos. Those people who come back year after year as well as those who refer me are the life blood of what I do!

When I think back over the years I’m proud at what I’ve learned. I’m thankful for opportunity and growth. I’ve learned from my mistakes and dealt with the obstacles that have come along. It’s been a journey.

I would love to say a great big thank you this Fall.  In early November I plan to host a 10 year anniversary party here at the studio. I would be thrilled to see you there! I am still in the beginning stages of planning this event and plan to share more information once I have it all figured out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly