Interviews with Creatives: Stephanie Indranee Photography (Atlanta, GA)

Welcome to the second installment of my favorite new blog series Interviews with Creatives, a monthly post that focuses on creative entrepreneurs -- shop owners, bloggers, artists, and makers. This month, we're focusing on a photographer from my home state of Georgia. Stephanie's work catches the eye because she manages to capture personality in her photos. You get more than just a beautifully styled photo-- you get a feel for who the subject is. 

Let's meet Stephanie!

When did you open your photography business? What compelled you to give it a try?

I have been taking pictures since I was in high school, and one day my sister told me that I should charge for my work rather than my “gifting” everything to people. Honestly, before then, I saw my photography as a way to relax and to give creative gifts to the people closest to me. I worked in the corporate world for 13 years and was able to “retire” in 2012. I spent 2 years traveling and doing consulting work, but then I began to feel like I needed to do more. Opening my business in August 2014 felt like a great opportunity to test my ability to be a small business owner, and I realized that I needed to put a value on my work and my time.

Tell us about your business name-- why did you choose it? Is there a story behind it?

My full name is Stephanie Indranee Wijesinghe. People cannot say Wijesinghe to save their lives, so I decided on Stephanie Indranee Photography. I am Sri Lankan. Our culture is very much about your name meaning something, and the family you represent. I used to always tell my staff that if my name was attached to anything, that it was done right the first time, and I stood by my work. I felt like naming my company, Stephanie Indranee Photography, just furthered that belief I stand by my work, and I create amazing experiences for my clients the first time.

Tell us about your academic and professional backgrounds. Did those fields influence your photography business at all? Do you feel that they give you any kind of unique edge?

I was a total nerd. I had 3 majors: Management, Finance, and Spanish. Then, I spent 13 years working in a background screening company (6 years managing Customer Service and 7 years as the COO). Working and studying in those areas definitely helped prepare me to have a photography business. I evaluate things differently than other small business owners and gained valuable experience in client services and marketing.

I think when you are a small business owner, it is easy to get swept up in the creative aspect, and forget about the business side. I run my business the same way I ran a multi-million dollar business, and I think that perspective makes me unique.

What area of photography is your main focus (newborn, lifestyle, wedding, senior portraits)? Why? Is there an area you’d like to move into?

I specialize in families (families with kids under the age of about 5 or 6 are my favorites), engagement and anniversary photography, and smaller intimate outdoor weddings (guest lists are below 150). Over the years I have done a lot of senior sessions, but never felt like it was a calling. Recently, that changed! I shot a few senior sessions, and realized that I really loved doing them. It was amazing to just watch some of them transform from little or no confidence at all in front of the camera, to being totally at ease by the end of our session. So, starting with the class of 2017, seniors will officially be a part of my business.

Describe a typical photography session-- What is special to you about each one? How do you help your customers relax during sessions?

One thing that is probably different about me is that I am super OCD about making my clients feel comfortable during our sessions, and I take my time. (I am not a clockwatcher, though I probably should be! LOL!) That means that from the time they contact me, until their session, we are constantly talking, sharing ideas, discussing props, etc.  We plan their session together. I don’t believe in just showing up with my camera, and start telling people what to do. I want them to feel like this experience is all about them, that they had a hand in creating the experience, and will be excited about the memories we will create together!

Every session is special to me because I feel like the moments that I capture will be preserved forever. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me when I deliver prints to my clients, and they are sooooo excited, they cry tears of joy! So bottom line is that unless you are madly in love with your pictures, and you cry some tears of joy, my job isn’t done!

I love people! I love getting to know them, and I think the more that I get them to talk about themselves, and they get to know me, it allows them to relax during their session. I am not known for being super funny, but I have learned ways of making my clients laugh to be able to capture real emotion! People get a little intimidated when we do sessions, and there are all sorts of people around. I always remind them that the likelihood of them seeing those people again is pretty low, so to just have fun and be themselves   

What inspires you creatively? What’s your “muse” so to speak?

My muse…wow that is a hard one! I push myself really hard, so I think I am inspired to be better than I was the day before. I challenge myself to see beauty in things that others might look at and think I was crazy. For example: I did a portion of a session on the side of a road because the lighting was perfect, and the grass and trees were green. I think those clients thought I was crazy, but the end results were amazing. Beauty is all around us, sometimes we just have to search for it. Just a side note: As creatives in this day and age of social media, it’s very easy to be inspired by other creatives. There is definitely a place for that, but I feel like sometimes you can become so caught up in trying to be like them, that you forget you are talented in your own right.

Is your photography business your full-time job? If not, what else do you do?

My photography business is full-time, but I also run a holding company, and own a construction/remodeling business. So free time is very precious to me!

Describe your typical work day. Do you do sessions every day or have a specific schedule set up? When not doing sessions, what do you do (the “behind the scenes” of the business)?

My work days are usually different. During the busy months, I am usually at sessions or editing. During the months that things slow down, I spend a lot of time working on marketing, coming up with new ideas/projects for my business, and investing in continuing education to help me learn more about my craft.

What do you love most about being a small business owner/ creative? On the flip side, what is the most challenging part?

I love that I create my own rules for my business. On the other hand, working alone all day long was REALLY hard for me to adjust to at first. On the days when I have sessions, it’s not a big deal, but when I don’t, it’s hard.

What are some of your future plans for your business? What are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking into renting space for a studio soon. I am most excited by the idea of allowing my clients to come into a space that I have created just for them. Also, teaching is a calling for me! So I am now teaching classes on how to use your camera. I am looking to expand that into different areas soon!

What are some of your favorite Etsy, Pinterest, or Instagram accounts to follow? What other creatives inspire you?

This is a hard one too! So many to pick from!! I love Joanna Gaines, Katelyn James, Canon USA, Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings, and a lot of the local photographers here in Atlanta. They are all so amazing!

What advice do you have for other photographers and creatives?

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!!!

Maybe other creatives don’t struggle with this as much as I did at first, but it’s so easy to compare yourself to others, and try to be more like them because they are successful. But, if by doing that, you are no longer representing who you are, then you have to take a serious look at that!  In my industry, there are so many amazing photographers. It’s very easy sometimes to think that you might never be as good, or even as famous as they are. But at some point you have to have faith in your own abilities.

NEVER LOSE THE DESIRE TO LEARN!

When I first started in photography, no one was really willing to help me learn. I did it all on my own. Today, that is definitely not the case. More and more you see photographers and other creatives learning from one another. #commnityovercompetition  

I think in order for you to grow you have to keep pushing yourself to learn something new each and every day!

And finally just for fun-- if you could go on American Idol and sing (and totally nail it, of course) any one song… what would you pick?

I LOVE TO SING….so here again…so many to pick from. But, I would say anything from Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, or Sara Evans, since they are all in my vocal range, and I am a huge country music fan!

Thanks for sharing, Stephanie!

Connect with Stephanie Indranee Photography via:

Instagram | Blog | Website

Are you a creative entrepreneur who would like to be interviewed? Email to talk options at patinaandpurl [at] aol [dot] com

Interviews with Creatives: FaithLoveCraft Etsy Shop

As an Etsy shop owner myself, I am constantly stumbling across the colorful Instagram feeds of other creatives. Meeting other makers--even if just virtually--is a great source of inspiration. It's a comforting reminder that others feel that same drive to create, to share, to make something unique and original. One of my favorite makers is my friend Chelsea of FaithLoveCraft Etsy shop. I love gifting her unique camera straps at holidays and birthdays! They're affordable, stylish, and practical--a win-win-win.

Scrolling through her Instagram feed, I thought "I should interview her for the blog." Thus, the idea for a new series was born: Interviews with Creatives. Every month, I plan to share a fun Q&A with an online shop owner. And what better place to start than with one of my favorites? So without further ado... Let's meet Chelsea!

When did you open your Etsy shop? What compelled you to give Etsy a try?

In 2011 as a sophomore in college, I first opened my Etsy shop under the name CraftyInCollege. My most fulfilling hobby was crafting. When I needed to relax, have fun, or let off some steam, I would craft. Sometimes I would stay up till 5am creating things! I could never do that now! I began making handmade gifts for birthdays and Christmas, but eventually my crafts began to take over my apartment. I needed to start funding my slightly expensive hobby. A friend at work suggested I give Etsy a try. Five years later... here I am!

Tell us about your shop name-- why did you choose it? Is there a story behind that?

When I became serious about selling my items at a more professional level, I took a step back from my “CraftyInCollege” brand and decided I needed to create a new, unique brand that was true in what I believed in. I probably came up with 50 names before I landed on FaithLoveCraft. One night I was so fed up that I couldn't think of a "cool" or "catchy" name so I tried a new tactic: I wrote down all the things that were important in my life. From that list, I circled the three most important items and that was my faith, my love for my family and friends, and my crafts.

What are your academic and professional backgrounds? Did those fields influence your Etsy business at all? Do you see your Etsy more as a creative outlet or are you more business-focused on it?

I went to Grand Valley State University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Therapeutic Recreation. In a nutshell, you could describe my degree as working with individuals with a disability in a recreational setting to help improve their overall quality of life. My love for crafting really paid off while I was in school. At one point, I actually developed a device for adaptive crocheting to help someone who did not possess the full function of their hand.  Part of my college program also focused on leadership and learning how to build a program from the ground up: including budgeting, marketing, business planning, etc. So that really helped prepare me for Etsy.

While my Etsy shop has always been a creative outlet (I always feel the “need” to make something!), I have become more business-focused in the past two years. I now use all profits to pay off my student loans. The better my hobby-business performs, the quicker I pay off my student loans. It definitely motivates me to work hard!

Is the Etsy shop your full-time job? Describe your typical work day.

I wish it was my full time job! One day in the future perhaps, but at this recent college-grad point in my life, I have too many things to pay off/save up for: a house, travel, children, the whole enchilada. During the day, I work full-time as a nanny for two children. Typically, I'm up at 5am and at my nanny job by 5:30. I am with the kids till about 4 or 5 in the evening. Then I come home, make myself some dinner, and unwind with Netflix and my orders! It's such a stress reliever for me. Monday-Thursdays are very long days but I somehow manage to make it work. I craft every night because I typically have orders everyday. When I don't have open orders, I am still working on creating new inventory for my shop!

Your shop focuses on handmade camera straps. What got you started in that direction?

When my fiancee and I first moved to Louisiana, I spent all day applying for jobs and walking around Baton Rouge trying to learn our new city. My camera was always with me as I took photos to spend home to our parents. One day,  I stumbled across a DIY tutorial on pinterest about how to make your own camera strap. I immediately went to the store, purchased supplies, came home, and made it. I posted it to my Instagram to see what people would think, and I received amazing feedback! From then on my main seller was the camera strap.

What materials do you use? How long does it take to make them? What’s special about each piece (other than being handmade of course!)?

I typically use already-made scarves, but I do hand cut all the leather, fabric, and other materials.  Then, I  iron and sew everything together!  Customers have the options of two finishes: metal clasps or nylon ends. I use little lobster clasps, nylon cords, and plastic widgets for those finishes. Generally each camera strap takes me anywhere from 10-30 minutes to make. Because each strap is made from scarves that I find, there are usually only 2-4 of each style! It really is like you're getting a unique, one-of-a-kind piece every time. I love what I do-- and that love goes into each strap!

What inspires you creatively?

I strive for that feeling of accomplishment once a project is completed.  I absolutely love making things for other people, and working together with a customer to create something really special!

I find inspiration in a lot of places,  but I mainly work with what I like and would want for myself. I always ask myself "Would I really wear that?" If I think I will, I buy that scarf or those supplies and create something with them. If I think "ehh, kind of cute for someone else," I don't buy those materials. So far that method has worked for my business! I strive to stay true to myself in what I'm doing and what I'm selling.

What are some of your favorite Etsy shops or Instagram accounts to follow?

I usually find inspiration and other Etsy shop owners via Instagram! I love how visual it is. I follow 866 accounts,  and I truly love each and every post. Some of my favorites include: @maggiemisc (began as a small craft shop then switched to wedding planning), @fullofjoyhandmade (calligraphy and crafts),  and @jellybirdsigns (wooden sign shop).

What do you love most about owning an Etsy shop? On the flip side, what is the most challenging part?

What I love most about owning an Etsy shop is the people I've met through social media who also have Etsy shops. It's such a close knit community of artists/crafters who are all about building each other up and providing support. The most challenging part is the business aspect. Making sure everything is legal and up-to-date is always a little terrifying for me. Do your research and ask a lot of questions when starting a new business! You can never know enough when it comes to actually running a business.

What advice do you have for other Etsy shop owners and creatives?

My advice for other Etsy shop owners and creatives is don't give up if you don't make a sale for the first month...or three months. It takes time to build up a name for yourself, to create a brand that fully defines who you are as a creative person, and to find/perfect that one item that represents your shop! Success does not happen overnight. It took me years to get to where I am today. It's a lot of hard work, but if you are willing to put in the effort you will succeed.

What are some of your future plans for your shop?

Well, as some of you know, I am moving to Colombia with my husband-to-be  in July. Once there, I sadly will no longer be able to do custom orders. Instead, I will have everything pre-made and packaged so when an order comes in my helpers back home (my mother and sisters) can simply add an address and mail it out to the customer.

I am also working hard on a new line of canvas art since a decent amount of customers come to me for custom art, Things are changing, and there will be some trial and error, but for the most part my shop should remain fully functioning while I am out of the country! While in Colombia I hope to work on my calligraphy so I can incorporate that into more of my pieces as well.

Tell us about your upcoming move to Colombia! How exciting! What are you looking forward to the most?

I am SO unbelievably excited to move to Colombia! I am looking forward to learning a new language, becoming part of the community, and exploring a new continent! Sure it will be a little scary, and I will be terribly home sick, but I know that the reward from our experiences will be immeasurable. While there I will working in my degree field again to help build Colombia’s recently implemented Special Education program. Having a disability in Colombia is something people try to hide. It is my goal to change the way disabilities are interpreted and to educate people on best care for individuals with disabilities.

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Chelsea!
Love what you see?  Find more via
Instagram: @faithlovecrafts Shop: FaithLoveCraft
Are you a maker whose interested in a Q&A? Contact me to discuss!