Conversations with Lisa Marshall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Marshall.

Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey, I’m Lisa. Portrait and wedding photographer here located on the sunny east coast of Florida.

To say that I fell into the photography business would be a half-truth. Growing up in rural Indiana, my high school had a tiny dark room that became my sanctuary during my high school years. When it was time to set off for college, I felt the tug to major in Art and continue exploring my passion for photography but my fears of becoming a starving artist got the best of me. My freshman year I double majored in Business Administration and Marketing and by my sophomore year, I had picked up Art as a minor to satisfy my need to create.

After graduating, I pursued a career as a marketing manager, utilizing the business side of my education but it wasn’t long before friends and family would ask me to take their photos. Two years after graduating college, I had my first BIG ask “Can you photograph my wedding?” I wanted to say no. But with much hesitation and fear, I said yes and soon all of the stars aligned and I realized this was my calling. It had always been. I jumped in with both feet and never looked back. The voices of doubt, once present, quickly faded and the perfect storm of my education in business and art collided. Fast forward 15 years, and here I am today!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth, but I’m a firm believer that trials and obstacles produce perseverance and character! My first obstacle, TWINS! Twin boys to be exact, that were 11 months old when I first launched my business. I had to simultaneously learn how to become a mom x2 and balance that with becoming an entrepreneur. It wasn’t an easy task! I remember sitting on an airplane destined for Chicago, crying through the phone as I spoke with my mom who was sitting at my twin’s kindergarten graduation. Wedding photographers often miss out on moments like these because we must commit ourselves far in advance for our clients.

Over the years, I have discovered that setting goals, separating work time from family time, and looking at each year’s calendar as a whole are keys to keeping my sanity. I refuse to overbook. I’ve learned that in order to give my clients my best work, I have a maximum amount of portrait sessions and weddings that I can accept each month. Maintaining a high standard of excellence is foundational and therefore that means knowing when to say yes and no. I think most photographers would agree that in the beginning we want to say yes to everything, but with experience comes the wisdom to know when to say no. I have three kids now, all in double digits. There are still a few bumps in the road, but most days now feel like autopilot.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have found my niche in wedding and family photography. I’m a believer that consistency is the number one key to creating a successful style and brand. Years back, I had a fellow photographer tell me that ever time she sees a photo I’ve taken pop up on her social media, she knows it belongs to me. That was a huge compliment and something I strive for in both my shooting and editing techniques. My style is colorful, clean and fresh – no matter what the trend is that year – and my hope is that fifty years down the road, my clients will be able to look back at their images and be transported to that moment in time and relive those same emotions.

Along with consistency, creating a positive client experience is crucial. I’ve been known to hold a baby on my hip as I photograph mom and dad together or meet up with a couple whose wedding was a rainy mess on a sunny day for an hour bonus “bride and groom” session. Going the extra mile will not only get you far in life, but it just feels so good! Word of mouth has been pivotal to my success and I attribute that to the relationships that I build over the years with my portrait clients and fellow wedding professionals. I have truly been blessed with amazing clients who come back year after year, and continue to refer me to their friends and family!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My photography career did have one unexpected twist! Friendship! Some of my very best friends to this day are ladies who are some of my biggest competitors in the industry. I quickly learned the community over competition mantra and have gained an amazing group of friends throughout my journey. When one of us becomes ill, someone else steps in. When someone has a tough session, we chat it out over the phone on our way home from the shoot. Having someone else to bounce an idea off of and who “just gets it” has been a wonderful and unexpected perk to my career as a professional photographer.

Contact Info:

• Email: lisa@lisamarshallphotography.com
• Website: www.lisamarshallphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisamarshallphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisamarshallphotography