Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Liga.
Hi Abby, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey began in NYC on the floor of Barnes and Noble while reading countless books on all about how to start a photography business. During my time in New York, I was interning at a fashion photograph agency and at the same time, working for a children’s photographer. I was only 24 but knew that I wanted to own my own photography company that gave me the freedom to work directly with clients who wanted photography that spoke to them. After I graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design in 2003, I begin assisting on shooting weddings.
Then after my internship, I left NYC and made Orlando the headquarters of Liga Photography, a company specializing in luxury destination weddings and lifestyle portraits. For the next 12 years, I grew my business to a full-time job shooting weddings all over the world, growing my book of clients, nurturing my relationships with vendors, and speaking at various photo conventions and workshops. I absolutely loved shooting weddings and would always check in with myself to make sure I wasn’t burned out — yet. Then in 2015, I married my husband Danny, inherited his two beautiful boys, and also gave birth to a baby boy all within the same year! I continued shooting weddings, but soon after I did become burned out from working weekends and not being present with my new family. I also yearned to photograph on more of a lifestyle and commercial basis as that’s what I originally studied at SCAD. I slowly began fazing out the wedding bookings and began working with ad agencies and collaborating with businesses who needed content for their marketing efforts.
In 2018, I launched my new Visual Branding Photography side to my company that helps brands become more profitable with the use of engaging imagery that tells their story to their audience. I work with a select group of clients who value the need for quality and custom content for a minimum of one year and create an on-going library of image content for all of their social media and marketing needs. These “Story Sessions” aren’t just pretty portraits; they are produced photo shoots that include a full one-on-one photography session with me, visual brand strategy meetings, creative briefings, and photoshoot timelines. My branding work has also recently been featured in Professional Photographer and Rangefinder Magazines. I am loving this new niche of photography as it allows me to combine my love of storytelling with my passion to help business grow. I also shoot various avenues of lifestyle work, specifically interiors and family portraits. If someone were to ask my how I sum up my photography, I always say, “Whether it be a child or business executive, to a plate of food or a quiet space, with everything I photograph, I try to bring out the life and joy within my subject.” Our family now has grown to four children, as we introduced our new baby girl last May. These times are busy and definitely hectic, but my passion for my photography and the joy it brings me has become a part of what I like to think is the legacy I’m creating in this life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely learning the ins and outs of starting and maintaining a business. From backend work to staying organized with a schedule in an unconventional work schedule. Balancing a work-from-home environment with all of the managerial tasks your house requires.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in Branding, Lifestyle, and Commercial Photography. I’m most proud of having a business that brings people joy with a growing collection of loyal clients. I’m proud that I set out what I wanted to do, fulfilling my dreams of wanting to become a successful photographer. I think one of the things that sets me apart from others is my ability to disarm my subjects to make them feel comfortable. I always provide direction when photographing people and I try to listen to what their needs are and see where I can help them.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was definitely into anything creative but also loved watching my parents run their insurance business. I think that’s where my sister and I fell in love with playing “office.” It gave me a nice balance of “artsy” mixed with entrepreneurial spirit. I became extremely passionate about photography early in high school and became the photo editor of my high school newspaper. While I loved hanging with my friends and being social, I always knew the direction I wanted to take after graduation.
Contact Info:
- Email: abbyliga@ligaphotography.com
- Website: https://www.abbyliga.com
- Instagram: @abbyliga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyligaphotography
