Karen Bagley is the owner of Significant Moments Photography. Significant Moments is a full service photography studio specializing in high fashion images for maternity clients and lifestyle portraiture for newborns. Karen’s goal is to give you an experience and images that are unique to you, with memories you will never forget. Read our interview with the lovely Karen below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
My motivation is simply, I have to create. I HAVE TO TAKE PICTURES. I just have to. I saw a HUGE need for fresh and new portraits for expecting mothers, newborns and seniors. NO MORE BACKDROPS or poorly edited images. Thus, Significant Moments was born.
Tell us about your business.
My business is all about creating a deeper and more meaningful experience when it comes to getting your portraits taken. These are not just images, they are memories.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
SURE! If anyone sees this and would like to book a session I will give you 15% OFF!
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.Â
I have been published nationwide in Shutter Magazine (2014, 2015, 2017) and Taopan Magazine (2016) and won the Outstanding Maternity Award (2016).
Where is your business based?
I work mainly in and around Atlanta, however my clients come from ALL over. I travel quite a bit for my clients.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
LEARN! I had to learn how to run and operate an actual business. Everything from charging, to outward appearance HA! I was like a sponge! Anyone regardless of what business they owned, I asked questions!
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
SOCIAL MEDIA! I cannot stress this enough, we live in a digital age. If you aren’t using all forms of social media, you are losing business.
What have been your biggest challenges so far? Â
Learning to not take rejection personally. Understanding that it takes time to build an empire. I always want instant gratification HAHA! Like most women I would assume.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Unfortunately for me it has just taken time. I still sometimes struggle with rejection. I don’t know that it will ever not get to me a little. And patience. Even though I want things to happen immediately, when they don’t… I just focus my attention on what I CAN do right now.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?Â
I shoot. I get in touch with my artistic side. I really test how good I am with what little $ I may have to spend to make a session fabulous. I try really hard to realize how far I have come and even though it is difficult right now, I know I am headed in the right direction. I have an amazing support system, my husband, who reminds me of this almost daily. And I’m not going to lie… it helps!
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I have developed a brand. When people see an image of mine they know it’s mine. I have a style. It may be very niche, but nonetheless it’s mine. I treat my customers the way they should be treated… like family. I let my customers and my images do the talking for me.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Nothing is ever going to be just easy… you have to fight for what you want. This sounds so cliché as I type this but these words are the best advice ever!
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
My advice is to make a choice, you either want to do what you love or you don’t. If you do then surround yourself with uplifting people… they are hard to find. Know that bad days will come. But also know that excellent days will come too. You cannot be afraid to fail, you have to learn to welcome failure. Lick your wounds and move on. And most important even if it is just ONE thing… do something every day for YOUR business. (My husband told me that last one on a few occasions).
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Oh man I really like 17hats. It keeps me organized. The more you grow the more you have to delegate. Without delegating you cannot grow. You can’t do it all! Trust me I’ve tried, as business owner, a wife, and a mother.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @significant_moments
Facebook www.facebook.com/significantmomentsphotography
Website www.significantmomentsphotography.com
Email karen@significantmomentsphotography.com
Hashtags #significantmomentsphotography
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Oh I am much more of a listener than a reader, but recently I read an article in shutter magazine about just bettering your business. Always good info!
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I learn new things EVERY day. How to make my process better, better ways to reach clients, how to meet my goals better!
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals for the next few months are to reach my 2nd quarter goal of bookings, to make my website SEO friendly, and to upgrade some of my gear… among a few. And I am achieving them by knowing where, who, and what people are booking me for. I keep close tabs on when I get calls, who calls, what they are wanting, and where they came from: IG, FB, etc. I have hired someone for SEO and as for gear I am figuring out what is MOST important and would benefit my business MOST, and I will make the investment.