Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Wong.
Hi Deborah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I remember being fascinated by film point and shoot cameras when I was a kid. When digital cameras came out and I finally got one, I started taking it to school all the time. I just really liked looking back on my previous school year since we don’t have yearbooks where I grew up in Aruba. In my final year of school there, I did some actual photoshoots of friends for fun, so I guess that’s really how it started.
My favorite story, though, for my 21st birthday, I made a Facebook event to ask a bunch of my friends if they would pitch in to help me buy my first DSLR camera as a birthday gift. I ended up receiving more than I needed and declined any extra. It was met with “but you need a bag, right?”
With my nifty new camera, I started doing themed photoshoots with friends for fun (e.g. a girl in a dress and combat boots). After graduating from Florida Tech in 2011, I did everything from engagement photos to family photos. I’ve done a couple weddings and quickly found out I didn’t want to do those. I moved up to Northern Virginia in 2018 and hit a lull in trying to find clients and shooting locations. And then Covid happened. I did take photos of my Crossfit community before I moved. That was pretty cool.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, but what journey is? I moved to Northern Virginia right when I built up my portfolio and clientele in Florida. Strangers in Northern Virginia are very different from strangers in Florida, so it was a lot harder to build connections. Then solidifying my style took a little bit of time as well. When I finally found what I loved: richer, warmer colors; the people in my community back then preferred much, much brighter photos and cooler tones. Pretty much the opposite. It got to the point where I started debating if I should change my style to fit what people want or do I keep my style because there are people who do like it and I just haven’t found them yet. Spoiler: I found them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a full time Senior Software Engineer in Test. My parents said I had to major in something that made money (I wanted to major in English because I wanted to be a writer). Later, I decided it was easier to do photography as a side hustle than doing engineering as a side hustle, so it worked out. I’m actually not that great of a writer, so that panned out well too.
In terms of photography, though, I mainly do family photography now. People still reach out for couples and senior photos too, so that makes me happy. My clients say I’m incredibly patient with their little ones and make the whole family feel comfortable right away.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Staying true to yourself, knowing your worth, and knowing who to take advice from. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the very bright and cool toned photos, but I personally just really don’t like that style. In the same vein, there is also nothing wrong with my less bright, warmer photos; even though nobody at that time seemed to like it too. When I was struggling to get bookings after moving to Virginia, a lot of people told me to make my photos brighter and/or to offer free sessions to build my portfolio— but my portfolio was already built and my style was already set. Then my retired photographer friend told me to raise my prices because they were actually suspiciously low. When I did that, I got five bookings within a month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sageandburgundy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sageandburgundy
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHLsvbswix5pjRLN6
