Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Phelps
Hi Naomi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for photography for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I went to college that I decided to do something more with it. That’s when my hobby turned into a career. I changed majors after I completed my first semester from communications to photography and set my sights on that. It wasn’t clear at that point what I was going to do with it until my junior year when I met a wedding photojournalist and fell in love with his work. My future became clear and I began interning with wedding photographers. However, that transition was interesting seeing that, in school, we were learning film photography while wedding photographers were shooting on digital!
When I graduated from college, that exact wedding photojournalist who helped me decide my career path hired me. I worked for him and his company for 3-1/2 years in Washington DC before branching out on my own. That’s when Sweet Memories Photography formed (my original company).
Since then, I’ve moved around quite a bit. I have had to restart my company in Florida and now in Austin, Texas. However, Austin is my final stop and I can proudly say that Sweet Memories Photography has evolved into Naomi Phelps Photography, an Austin wedding photography company who also specializes in destination weddings!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a small business and having moved around quite a bit, it has not been a smooth road. There were and are always going to be struggles.
The toughest struggle is having 12+ years of experience, and not being able to reach couples in Austin because it’s such a saturated market. There are so many talented photographers, but, that’s something I’m used to because all three markets that I’ve lived in (DC, Miami, and now Austin) have been super competitive.
However, the struggle is when there are people out there who are saying that they’re “photographers” who have no experience, charging very little, and getting the weddings that the experienced photographers should be getting because couples see the cheap price tag. And, at the end of the day, the couples are having ruined wedding day experiences. The “photographers” are not showing up, fail to deliver the photos, or the photos aren’t good. I think that’s the biggest struggle. It’s hard to educate couples and explain to them that, yes, photography is an investment, but it’s an investment worth making because at the end of the day, it’s what you’re left with!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
An Austin wedding photographer, I’m a storyteller. Capturing authentic, timeless, candid, colorful, natural, and joyful photography for truly in-love couples, I work in both film and digital formats.
I am absolutely not afraid to fall in love with my couples. Getting personal with my couples gives me inspiration. The more I know about my couples, the more creative I am in making their love story and photos truly unique.
At the end of the day, I want my couples to relive their moments and feel all the feels. Photos are the one thing you’re left with after your wedding day, after someone passes that can be passed down with stories and memories told about that person, and a type of heirloom that can be shared with generations to come. It’s timeless. It jogs memories. It brings smile, laughter, tears, and so many emotions all at once. And that’s why I do what I do.
And, being an adventurer, I will happily go wherever love takes my couples. So if they’re planning a wedding abroad and need a destination wedding photographer, I will happily pack my bags and document their love story in Greece, Ireland, Australia, or wherever their hearts desire!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to go with the flow. Weddings, and life, in general, will not always go your way. Be prepared for anything! I carry back up EVERYTHING: backup cameras, batteries, chargers, umbrellas, clothing … you name it! Luckily, I’ve never had to use it on the job, (now, in my personal life, that’s a whole different story)! You just never know and I want to be prepared for just-in-case moments!
And just stop trying to control everything. Enjoy the journey!
Pricing:
- $599 • Bridal Portraits
- $699 • Engagement Sessions
- $2499 • Micro Weddings and Elopements
- $4800 • Full Day Wedding Photography
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naomiphelps.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomiphelpsphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomiphelpsphotography
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naomiphelpsphoto
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/naomiphelpsphotography/
