Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Reed.
Felicia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out as a mom with a camera. I wanted to take the best photos of my kids I could possibly take. I was working full-time as an Ultrasonographer and taking informal photography classes on the side. I got my first digital camera in 2009 and that’s when everything changed. I was determined to figure out how to use it so I enrolled in classes after hours at the local colleges to understand more about exposure and how to use my camera. I would go to meetup.com and find photographers that had the same interest. I had no idea it would lead me to where I am today. What I realized at these meetup gatherings was they always had young models. None of them looked like me or had my body type. I desired to look as beautiful in photos as the models. I wanted to create an experience for the mom next door or any woman no matter the shape or size they were. I found my mentor and the rest is history. I started women’s portraiture in 2014. I started out practicing on my friends and neighbors until I developed my posing skills. I quickly realized other women needed to feel worthy and celebrated just like I needed. I quit my ultrasound job in 2016 and went full-time. I have no regrets. I was on a mission to change the way women saw themselves in portraits. I wanted them to feel beautiful and sexy despite their perceived flaws. I wanted them to embrace their uniqueness. I wanted to be known in my community as the photographer that specialized in women over 40.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, it hasn’t. There are challenges in starting a business. I came from the medical field, I knew how to build relationships and listen well, but I had no idea how to create a sustainable, profitable business yet.
The challenge in the beginning is charging your worth. What does that even look like? I had to figure out how to give more in value than the money I received. I know a lot of business struggle with asking for money. Once I got my pricing and experience down, I had to hit the pavement and start networking. That was easy for me to do, but attracting the right client was the challenge in the beginning. Also, making sure I had a clear message for attracting the perfect client.
In the beginning, some months were very slow and I wondered how I could sustain that. Networking like crazy changed that, but it did take a few years to get my name out there.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a portrait photographer in the Austin, Tx area. I specialize in women’s portraiture, ie boudoir, beauty, maternity. Specifically women over the age of 40. Why? These women are doing incredible things in their lives. These are some of our best years. We are underrepresented in social media as well as advertising. I wanted to create a luxury, magazine-style experience for the everyday women. I want them to feel empowered and beautiful after they left me. I understand this demographic well because I am 46. I transitioned in my life at age 40 by leaving a career I had for 15 years and starting a business. I am a mom and a wife and sometimes I don’t feel my sexiest or confident, but then I think about all the amazing things my body has done for me and all the accomplishments I have to celebrate. I am worthy to be seen and celebrated.
I am so proud that I have created a brand that supports my clients not just during the photoshoot but long after. I have created a safe space for clients to let down their guard and share the most intimate parts of their lives with me in a way that they feel empowered to share their stories with others.
What were you like growing up?
I was the class clown. I was friends with everyone. I love using my imagination to dream of a better life. I had no idea how important that would be to get me to where I am today. I loved science. I was a collector of crystal rocks as a child.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.feliciareed.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/feliciareedphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/feliciareedphotography
Image Credits
Felicia Reed Photography
