Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Miguelez.
Hi Lindsay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has been a hobby with the women in my family dating all the way back to my great-grandmother. I always thought of it as just a hobby until I decided to take the leap and start a wedding photography business in 2014.
At the time, I was pursuing a History degree, but I never did well in school. I had big dreams, but I felt like I was waiting for someone to give me the opportunity or permission to achieve them in the form of a grade.
I was at the age where my peers were getting engaged and sharing their engagement photos. I had never tried photographing people before, but when I decided to put school on hold and pursue something I loved, I knew there was a chance for success in the wedding industry.
I bought my first DSLR camera in years, relearned everything I had forgotten, and got a job at a portrait studio in the mall. There, I learned how to pose people and picked up all kinds of tips. I quit after a month and started asking anyone and everyone I knew to model for me so I could build my portfolio.
With every shoot, I learned something new and got a little better. Eventually, I started second shooting for other wedding photographers, and once I began sharing those weddings, inquiries started coming in.
At first, it was scary to be responsible for someone’s wedding photos, but now I could photograph a wedding with my eyes closed. I took something I loved and turned it into a career helping couples celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. It’s fun, joyful, fast-paced, and creative, and I get to be my own boss.
Now, I don’t wait for permission to go in the direction I want. I decide for myself
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. I see people try to start their own businesses all the time because they see someone else’s success, but they don’t realize all the struggles that come with getting there.
There are so many things to figure out. Where do you get the money for the equipment? Then, once you have the equipment, how do you start making money with it? It’s scary to create something from nothing and then ask people to pay you for it.
There are countless outside factors that go into running your own business, but I think the biggest challenge is yourself. It’s overcoming the fear of other people’s judgment. It’s finding the motivation to keep working on your business after you’ve already put in a full day at a job you’re trying to leave so you can eventually do what you love full time.
I’ve learned to look at every setback as a lesson or simply something you have to push through. Every obstacle has taught me something, and each one has helped me get closer to the place I wanted my business to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in weddings up and down the East Coast. I also photograph family portraits and newborn sessions for many of my past couples, and it’s so much fun to watch their families grow. I’m honored that they continue to trust me to capture so many special moments throughout their lives.
I’d say I’m mostly known for being quick and efficient on a wedding day and entertaining online. I take pride in helping my couples stay on timeline and making sure they have an amazing wedding day overall. They know they can trust me to take care of the photos so they can focus on enjoying their time with family and friends.
I have a humorous side, and a lot of people know me from my Instagram Stories. I’ve found that sharing my personal life and my real, down-to-earth self has been one of the best ways to connect with potential couples. By the time we meet, they already feel comfortable around me, and I don’t think people realize how important that is when someone is photographing such meaningful moments in their lives.
More than anything, I’m proud of the connections I’ve made with people. I never expected this career to introduce me to so many incredible people or to have so many appreciate what I create. Seeing the joy my photos bring to others is one of the most rewarding parts of this job, and it’s something I never expected when I first started.
What matters most to you?
When I started my business, it was everything to me. I lived and breathed wedding photography. It was all I thought about.
Now, I’ve reached the place I hoped to be when I started back in 2014. My goals look different than they did then. Instead of focusing on building my business from the ground up, I’ve been able to use the last 12 years of experience to create a business that reflects the life I want to live.
The couples who hire me respect and admire my work, they trust me, and I get to do what I love while still maintaining a healthy balance at home with my husband, our two dogs, and our bunnies. I get to visit my little nieces often and see family whenever I want. That’s something I’m incredibly grateful for, and it’s a version of success I never imagined when I was first starting out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindsayandcophoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayandco.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsayandcophotography/
