Ep. 49 | How Connection Has Transformed Her Business with Alyssa Hollis

Today on the Frame Your Way Photography Podcast, I am chatting with Alyssa Hollis, family photographer out of Atlanta with Chasing Galilee Photo. She's giving us all sorts of valuable information regarding connection and how it has transformed her photography business for the better.

Be sure to tune in to hear the emotion she shares behind what it means to connect with people in her business and why it has become something she is so passionate about sharing!

Connect with Alyssa:

Instagram: @chasinggalileephoto
Facebook: @ChasingGalilee
Website: https://www.chasinggalilee.com/

____

Join us on Instagram

Click HERE to sign up for my FREE masterclass!

Loving this podcast? Come join us in the NEW Photographer Community on Facebook.

Join Brooke for a FREE Masterclass on Monday April 29th! Sign up for How to Book More Photography Sessions in 60 Days Masterclass.

Transcript

spk_1:   0:07
Welcome to the frame your way. Photography podcasts. I'm your host, Brooke Jefferson. I'm a wife, Mama to two and full time photographer and business coach. I created this podcast with the aspiring photographer in mind to bring you inspiring stories. Strategies to help you go from zero to multiple figures and tips and tricks to help you get one step closer. Toe work. Life, harmony. Are you ready to frame your way to your dream career? Let's die, then. All right. I am here with the Elissa Hollis. Elissa, will you please introduce yourself?

spk_0:   0:46
Hey, guys, I'm Melissa Hollis. I am a family photographer, and Lena, I'm a business is casing Ali Photo. I have been in business going on 11 years this month. Um, I have shot everything under the sun, but just up until about four years ago, I specialized in please. And that's where my hardest

spk_1:   1:06
I love that. Yeah. So every photographer that interview on this show, I asked them to tell us their photography journey or story because they're all different. There's some of us who just knew from the day we were born we were gonna go to school for photography and become a photographer. But for many of us, that's not the way we ever saw it going. Many of us were sitting on degrees. We're not using all the things. So tell us, what is your photography journey like?

spk_0:   1:39
Okay, so I started. Basically, I shot a wedding for friend. Never. God shot anything before. I never even held a camera. And she wanted me to photograph our wedding. I don't know why, but she did. It was awesome. And then do invest in my first starter camera and then kind of adjust Trickle down from there, I started doing many sessions. Everything you could think of. It was I was like a mini session queen. And truthfully, that's where, like, I still have clients to this day that were, like, my first any session clients. Um, so I was I've been up and down her sense, but, um, the journey has been very hard. Um, with comparison and friendships in the industry, they were not always like they are now. So, like, if you follow me on instagram, you know that could the community is like everything to me. And it was not always like that. It was very, very hard starting out.

spk_1:   2:36
Yes. Okay, So take us back, Thio. What? First of all, what made you say yes to photographing a wedding with having zero camera?

spk_0:   2:47
Okay, so the girl that I photographed her wedding actually took care of her grandmother and, um, the nursing home that I worked in and her and I had gotten kind of closed, and she knew that I loved photography. Like her program will actually had a little point and shoot camera. And I was like the girl in the nursing home that took photos of everyone with her little point shoot, and they just caught her family kind of picked up on that, and they knew that I loved her. So I guess they just wanted somebody who loved her family to be nurturing it. And that's kind of how that honestly, that is what started the whole thing. And I now I won't shoot weddings. I'm not away for tiger.

spk_1:   3:21
Yeah, way have all kinds of talk first on the part of us. And honestly, thank God for those who want a nation What they're teaching it because we need you all like there's enough to go around one key piece that you just said that I think is huge is it's the connection not had them reach out to you in the first place. And I feel like that is a huge piece of running a photography business like you have to connect with people, especially for those of us who are in the lifestyle. Rome. You want your people thio, break down their walls and be vulnerable and connect and be emotional. We're not gonna do that with somebody that they can't connect with. So what are your thoughts on connection?

spk_0:   4:07
Absolutely, Like you have to just really ask questions. I feel like asking questions and sometimes hard questions is really what helps you connect with people like I'm one of those people who I'm just so bold. And when it comes to that, like, I will ask people uncomfortable things. And it's fine if you don't answer. Hey, I want to know like but more I know about you, the more that I can connect with you and the better that I will serve you by knowing who you are and like your struggles, your strengths. I want to know all those things like a connection is everything and I feel like like with Instagram, that's where I've connected with so many random people who have never connected with just based on the smallest thing that I've said or that I've asked.

spk_1:   4:48
Yeah, it's a huge It's a huge piece and I'm I'm honestly in business for the people. And I think a lot of photographers can, you know, identify with that because that is the truth. It's my outlet. First, false. My outlet away from home from my kids like, Yes, I am working and I'm using air quotes because I don't feel like I'm working. I mean, Sun sessions, Yes, you're gonna work. Um, other sessions feel like I'm totally honored that I'm even the one, you know, photographing this for you. But yeah, that's to me. That's like the primary piece is I get so close to my people and I think that's why my retention rate is so high and I have families who have been with maize and the very beginning, and that's huge. That's a huge testament not to your profession, but to your personality and to who you are as a person. And so that's the highest compliment to me, is returning clients?

spk_0:   5:45
Absolutely. It is. Oh, my gosh. And like, you feel like you're part of their family. Oh, yeah, Back each year and you see their kids and they're, like, so big and oh, my gosh. It's an honor to be able to follow these families as they grow

spk_1:   5:58
so crazy and so true. Okay, so when you decided, Hey, I'm going to start photographing more people and I'm gonna start charging money. What are some thoughts that were running through your head? How did that play out? And how much did you charge for your first paid session? Open

spk_0:   6:16
this up. Funny enough, The first paid session I had was a session that I'd did next. Back to get paid were and my friend actually gave me $75 on I thought that I had made It was like

spk_1:   6:29
you just gave me something for dollars.

spk_0:   6:31
Like I was so honored. I was like, Oh, my gosh, this is like business. Real life. Who? Girl? Fast forward. Six year. What? I say 11 years now. You know what I'm charging now? Like I never thought in a 1,000,000 years I would be here. Um, in the first session and I actually was paid for. Other than her was $50 So yeah, and I did that for a couple of years,

spk_1:   6:52
so I don't know if you know this. I know you've listened Thio one or two episodes before. Don't worry. Guys shall binge one day. Okay? I

spk_0:   6:59
tow like a, like seven or eight.

spk_1:   7:02
Call. Oh, you're so awesome. Okay,

spk_0:   7:06
he man, I love podcast.

spk_1:   7:08
I take back what I said. Well, then you've probably heard me talk about how I was $50 photographer back in the day, and so many of us are, and I don't know again, I don't know why $50 is just but the price. We seem to stay. But, you know, in the beginning, there, so many emotions that go into it obviously were brand new, so we don't feel worthy of asking for payment. Um, and this is also back when my time was valued very differently, not years ago and for you 11 years ago than it is today. Um, And as your kids get older, that got more things that got to do. And your pockets are empty because his constant shelling out of money and So anyway, So I just say this to say, you know, regardless of what you charge for sessions, I always wanna ask back in the day. What was the first, you know, session you charged for And what was your payment? Because it just shows you like how far people come. And a lot of it. 99% of it goes back to mind set 100%.

spk_0:   8:13
Oh, yeah.

spk_1:   8:14
Yeah. So that's just one of my fascinating questions that I like to ask for Sure. So I have nicknames, Elissa Me instagram story queen. And I love it. Yes. Oh, we're gonna talk a little bit about that. So I know there's probably several of you listening. You follow her on instagram, and if you d'oh, you're probably like me. And you're very careful of where you listen to her stories because I am always like cracking up spitting out my drink or whatever the case may be. I love them. Like I asked. You need a reality TV show. Okay,

spk_0:   8:57
look, just I'm pretty sure it isn't. My life like that was the best.

spk_1:   9:01
Oh, you're you're welcome. So But although you're hilarious and funny and then Of course, you get emotional a few times here, and they're not really, but sometimes, um, but it's your instagram stories that you and I have had a conversation about several times, and I'm really want to dive into. First of all, why Instagram is important to you. No, no connections. A piece of that. But also, the effect that you have had using your instagram stories has had a tremendous impact on your business. And I just want to just have at it, tell us about it because I think it's very powerful.

spk_0:   9:38
Well, thank you. Um okay, So initially I just started out doing stories because, you know, it was like that It thing, it was like instagram of kind of piggybacking on Snapchat. And I don't really like Snapchats. I was like, All right, I'm gonna use the sinister stories and was gonna do whatever I think the first time I really got out of my comfort zone and did it. I think I was talking about chick play my well done chicken nuggets. I feel like I'm known for those now. Um, the chicken plays around us. Probably hate me, but it's okay. Bands do extra work. Um, but Instagram stories has truly helped me with my anxiety. Depression is crazy, as that sounds cause, like, people without having any depression, you probably wouldn't think that they would want to put themselves out there like that. Um, but there's something about it, like, takes my mind off of the things that I'm quote unquote depressed, depressed about where that I'm anxious about. And it has helped me, like people that connect with me based on just the random things that I say. Like talking about my eyebrows or my favorite, you know, Starbucks order. My favorite thing. You needed to play or my puppy like people connect and they want to talk. And then I just I don't know why I'm just sarcastic and goofy, like, just naturally, and people connect with that, and I've done stories where and I've not really done it on purpose. Just happens where I'm not wearing any makeup. And I have, like, really bad at me scars and just like here I am. You wanna hang out? You want to talk? This is what you would get if you came to my house. Like when my best friend comes and sits on my couch. She's hanging out with my hand, talked my head and my real no makeup phase, and that's just putting it out there like And another thing is, I am very scared of, um, judgment. I'm scared, like I don't want you to think that I'm not because I am very scared of being judged and, um, just people saying rude things to me or anything like that. But the truth is like, my faith is like, I know who I am in Jesus. And if somebody has something nasty to say to me, it's like, Go ahead and say it like I don't care if you don't like that. I do 1000 stories a day and you have to click through mall where whatever I'm doing, I'm not doing that for those people. I'm doing this for me and for the people that connect with me. So,

spk_1:   11:55
uh, I love that so much. So, um, would you say that you were consistent in the very beginning with your instagram stories, or because I know that you pretty much are. You're on daily now, or at least that's what it seems. And I don't mean that bad. I mean, I love that because you've made that a part of your lifestyle, Those air, your people and just like you would with your friends hanging out, you are constantly hanging out with us, and I love that. But were you consistent in the beginning, or at what point were you like, I think I'm onto something because now I'm actually getting people who are messaging back and are starting conversations. So what was that like?

spk_0:   12:36
Um, I definitely was not consistent beginning. Like, I'll be honest. The first few times I posted stories, I would go back and believe them, like I was so scared. I was like, Oh, my gosh. Like I would think of specific people in my head that were like gonna watch it because, like, there are people that have made fun of people who do stories all day that I know. So I'm like, they're gonna judge me, so I delete it. So I go in her again, and each time I would do a video. I would like to feel better. It was so weird. And I'm like, this is so fun. Like, maybe I'd like to talk to myself. I don't know. No. Here say myself sometimes. Kin. Um but I don't really I don't I couldn't tell you where the shift waas, but I just kept doing it and it was fun. And I started having, like, other photographers reach out to me and they would be like, I'm like, I love how supportive you are. Like a lot of your friends are photographers like and these were black photographers that don't live in my area that we're saying this which I do have a lot of local harder for friends, but they're like how caring friends with these local photographers. Like, is it not hard? Oh, it was hard the beginning. But now it's so much fun. Like, we do not look at this as a competition. I mean, they're so many people in the world or something. People in our town and we all have different ways of connecting with people. Like, just because I connect with something on a level doesn't mean that, like this other photographer is not gonna connect with all these other people go, you know, and their friends and their family, like there is enough clients to go around that we should not be competing in that way. We should be competing. I know this is gonna sound Colette cliche, but we need to compete with who we were yesterday. I constantly do better every day than who we were yesterday or last week or last month. I could show you side by side photos of my photos now and last. I just need to compete with myself.

spk_1:   14:23
Yes, well, you just keep bringing us to church because I was like, Oh, it's so good, Andi and it really it really is true. And I love community over competition with entire podcasts. Episode over that, plus some interviews where we've chatted about that. But here's the difference. And this is my opinion. The difference between people who make it people who don't are the ones who choose community over that competition and a lot of times the competition. Well, okay, A lot of times the competition you're choosing isn't just photographer to photographer, it is within yourself. Every day. You just have to rise up and you know you were given talents regardless of whether you have taken education for it or you have spent hours figuring it out or stroll on YouTube. Really, Guys, we have a talent like not everybody can be photographers. You'll know that. You know, you've got your guilt. Everybody's guilty of going to that new the photographers site and saying, Oh, girl Oh, I remember when I took pictures like that, but those of us that evolved, you know, that's the whole thing. You're always evolving, and I have to choose more community and like putting myself with positive role models like you. Like Naomi, like Kayla, like all these people that I have met having a general life. But don't worry couple months and I will, um, super excited. But it's for me when I'm feeling down on myself or when I'm in comparison mode. Um, I do have to put myself in a different group of people who will uplift me and say, Hey, I totally get it, but you just need thio. But you just need thio like keep your eye on what you're doing and quit worrying about what she's doing. I also heard once upon time I don't know who said this, but they were talking about how there is such thing as healthy competition. So rather than feeling Joe Asi people should make you, uh I mean, rather than like hating that person. There's a difference between hating that person and like just being rude to them or looking at their work and going that totally inspires me to get out there and do something outside the box, like those are very different things and then not even gone as far as like just messaging someone and being like, here's the deal. I'm I'm a little intimidated by you. Here's why can't we just tap this out before it turns into this, like story inside my head or whatever? Because I think all photographers struggle with comparison. Hands down. I don't I don't care how long you've been in business like you are. You're gonna compare yourself. No,

spk_0:   17:03
I hear that. You said that, by the way that you reached out to the person and said that that's admirable.

spk_1:   17:08
I have to, because it will eat me alive. That's my personality. I'm in any Graham to I'm a helper. I have to have people on my side. And if I don't, I will literally go days thinking about it, and it will just eat me up. So rather than doing that I know my way to combat. That is just to have a direct conversation like who cares? I don't have to say all of it. I just have to strike up a conversation and realize that you're human and you have just a cz much issues as I do. You know what I mean here? Yes, I love it. So that's just that's a huge thing. And I'm very, very passionate about that. Okay, so let's talk about today. What does your photography business look like today? And I mean, this could be anything from what you shoot, how you shoot when you shoot to what's next for you and your business.

spk_0:   18:00
Oh, goodness. Um, I would say that my business today is better than it's ever been. Um, I and honestly, starting more now than I ever have, and I for the first time, cause I've raised my prices gradually over the years. But the first time goes super confident in it, like I've felt very unworthy in the past. But I think with the people that I am currently surrounding myself with who are constantly like singing my praises. And you know, I didn't have that in the past. I was I didn't feel worthy then. But, um, have a good support group of friends who don't do photography and who also do photography. So that's a great mix. Um, and like I can honestly say, like for the fall, This is private. First, I've been fully booked in a couple of years because I kind of, like, fluctuated in waves the last two years. Um, I love to shoot sunset. Um, I kind of practice for years doing that. I mean, I could shoot in any light, but sometimes, like where I get the most like theme, most emotion out of that golden light. Um, and I just love I love shooting families because, like, I almost like, live vicariously through them. Because if you know, like my childhood story like this that I just lived in these families, it makes me so happy to like show them their love from, like a fly on the wall perspective. I'm very much an observer. I mean, we have fun during the session, but I'm an observer first. Always, um, let's see for the future. So I am hosting or helping host. It worked up in March, which you're gonna be Adam. So,

spk_1:   19:38
so, so, so pumped for this.

spk_0:   19:41
I never, ever thought this would be reality. Like, what is happening to my life. So teaching is definitely something I've wanted to do for a few years. And the girls that I'm doing it with, Naomi and Kate they are amazing and truly pushed me to keep going like they know how scared I am to do this. And they're like, You can do this, girl like there's huge support group. Um, so yeah, it's teaching is I feel like the next step. Always going to be shooting. Never, never gonna quit that until I'm an old grading. I can't lift my camera

spk_1:   20:14
time. Yeah, I say the exact same thing. And I have really found a passion for education on the photographer sight and hearing about everything. Everybody has value to bring to the table in the education. Rome and we all teach different things. So there's people who teach just session by session based here's posing and they're awesome at it or, you know, prompts or whatever the case may be. And I love those people. There's people who do editing. You're one of them. I'm not. That is not something I will ever teach, but I'm very business minded, and I love to teach people like how to set up their business, how to market their business like I am business snored through and through. I think everyone's figured that out because I am always giving tangible to deuce and strategies on the podcast. And it's because I've always wanted people to tell me that how, and I feel like a lot of people hold back from their journeys and they taught. I mean, they'll kind of reference, and I do have someone specific in mind, but I'm not going to say her name because out of respect for her, she's big time. You all know our believe me, but anyway, but there's, you know, one and you know she's made it. And now she you know she doesn't even do photography anymore. But geo reference about how hard things were back in the day. But she'll never connect the two. She doesn't bridge the gap. Here's how I did it and I was like, No, there's a gap here and I want to fill it And so that's like why I chose toe step into podcasting and all that stuff. So I love the education is on the horizon for you, and I'm super excited for the workshop bend of one other workshop. And so the workshop that I am coming for you guys, I'm flying alone for the first time ever. On which is that here? Yeah, so that's a big deal. I had actually first time I've ever been on an airplane was 2018. It's almost been two years since my first plane ride with my mom. And by the way, um yeah, so I'm flying alone. But I also was very intentional about choosing the next workshop. And who would be teaching because you guys have three different, completely person, like completely different personalities. But yet, in a way, you're all intertwined, like it's the weirdest thing. And I know you know this, and it's hard to explain for people who don't know, you know, all three of you guys. But I'm very excited, and I also the thing that I want more than anything is to walk away with new best friends and a community. And honestly, if that's all I got out of it, if I didn't learn a damn thing about photography sessions opposing any of it. I wouldn't care as long as you're left with those people. So I don't know why I gave that big spiel, But I just had to tell you that I

spk_0:   23:07
completely understand. Because I've been to other work trumps before and that didn't happen. And us, the three of us have all given our experiences in that area. And I think one of our biggest goals is to create that community. And for you guys all to leave, feeling like, Well, those are my friends. And it, like I can reach out to them. I can text them. I can call them like we can meet up in another state and hang out like we want you all to feel that close. Like to feel how we feel about each other. So

spk_1:   23:38
Oh, I love that so much. Okay, so to wrap this up, I want you to tell me your biggest advice for a photographer today. This could be a newbie photographer. This could be all of us. But what's your one thing that you feel is most important to say?

spk_0:   23:58
Honestly, I would say if you truly have a passion for it. Don't give up. And I know that that sounds way easier said than done. But I'm the trustee is not crime. I told Naomi 1000 crap. Um, I feel like if you know me personally, the fact that I'm still here 11 years later after all the things I've been through in this industry and the ups and downs like truly anybody can keep going like, just don't put that camera down. Don't quit learning Don't Didn't find your tribe another again cliche. But find those people who support you and that look at you as a friend first and not a competitive er, um and just just keep going. They never give up. And keep learning that literally. Every day you can learn something new. And when you're creating those connections with other photographers or even your clients, like everyone has something to teach, you don't ever act like you can't be taught something new. Um, if your mind is always open to be taught, then I mean, you can just change the world like there are so many photographers that are being held back by comparison. And it is the deep of all joy like I have been there Like I've had friends literally have to pick me up out of the dirt because I am too busy comparing myself. And I'm like, if I'm spending that time comparing myself to someone, that is time I'm taking away from learning from creating and from connecting

spk_1:   25:35
Mike Drop. But I could have said that paragraphs ago. Yeah, I already picking out the exact quote people will see promoted for the broadcast because it was just so good. And it, like, you know how sometimes you hear things and it gives you that, like, sharp pain in your chest, not a heart attack. But you know what I'm saying? You're like, Whoa, I'm, like, taken aback by what you said. You didn't know that. And I was like, Yes, thank you. Like we all have room to learn. I mean, is the basic message there And don't ever think you've arrived is the other way. I've seen it put yet, so yes, And it's so good because the second you think that you, young man, you just such self up for failure, you know? So Okay, well, this was so good. I would like you to tell people how they can connect with you Obviously, on Instagram. So we need we need that. But then also give a website to stop people from kind of check you out further. But whatever you want to give is up to you.

spk_0:   26:39
Yes. Obviously you can find out Instagram at chasing galley photo. Um, Facebook chasing Kali. Um and my website is chasing dolly dot com.

spk_1:   26:48
That is so easy. I love it, and we'll put those in the show notes to thank you so much.

spk_0:   26:54
You It was it

spk_1:   26:55
was awesome to Brooke. If you haven't already and you're loving this podcast, would you take just a second and hit that subscribe button? This will automatically deliver new episodes to your phone every Thursday. And if you want to go above and beyond, I would love for you to leave and honest rating and review. This helps other photographers find the show and get the support they need. Thank you so much for listening, and I'll meet you back here next week.