Meet Emily Ganey, a fine art wedding photographer capturing moments through medium format film. She’s also one of my closest childhood friends (we’ve known each other since we were 12!) and the first person close to me who took a leap of faith and decided to start her own business. Today she’s sharing more about what that journey has looked like, how she sets annual goals for herself and her business and the qualities that have made her successful.
Tell us about your professional path.
I’ve always been the girl with the camera. In high school, my idea of a good time was planning photoshoots with my friends and editing our high school yearbook. But when I got to college, I felt like I needed to get a practical degree, so I chose the most creative business major I could find – marketing. Then I met my husband Thomas. My photo hobby became something more because he recognized my passion and encouraged me to make it a reality. He’s been my second shooter since the very first wedding. From 2013-2016 I pursued photography on the side while working in the marketing department of a financial services firm. Eventually, it became too much to handle both jobs well, and I decided to pursue photography full time in 2016. Two years later, we moved out to California when Thomas landed his dream job in finance.
What fuels your soul and makes your heart sing?
When we started our business, we knew we were going to partake in memorable events, but what we didn’t realize was that our lives would be touched by so many incredible people. The couples we’ve photographed have truly become some of our closest friends! We’ve had game nights, shared meals, played at the dog park, traveled abroad, defeated escape rooms, gone skiing (Emily) and snowboarding (Thomas), hiked numerous mountains, attended baby showers and truly developed relationships with so many of our couples. They mean so much to us. They are at the core of why I do what I do. Being part of their special day – being such an integral part of their day – and building these strong relationships with them is what fuels my soul.
What is a typical week like for you?
I work from home throughout the week and my weekends are typically when I’m out photographing people and events. Throughout the week I’m answering emails, working on wedding timelines, networking with planners and florists, editing photos, blogging images, submitting past weddings to online publications, scheduling travel, drafting wedding albums, providing outfit advice for engagement sessions, updating Pinterest, taking online courses, scouting venues where I’ll be photographing, practicing styling invitation suites…the list goes on!
What are the qualities you feel have made you most successful?
Grit, hustle, and the ability to get shit done. I fully believe that the mindset of “done is better than none” has propelled me forward in this business. Don’t get me wrong – I am a perfectionist when I need to be – but me proofreading a blog post so many times that it prevents me from ever publishing it isn’t going to help me get my work on Google. Worrying that I don’t have the perfect Instagram caption? Waste of time. Get your work out in the world. Focus on finding the clients that will resonate with your work – not all of the “what will they say/think when they see this?” negativity. Another lesson that took me a while to learn was that every time you say “yes” to something, you’re saying “no” to something else. You only have so much capacity. Figure out what you’re good at – what you love – and focus on that. If the client doesn’t sound right, it is better to decline the job than let that client drag you down for weeks or months.
Are there any misconceptions about what you do?
As a wedding photographer, our work goes significantly beyond the wedding day. We pour hours into every event – and I’m not even talking about editing the images. As a small business owner, we have a lot of expenses that you might not expect and have to price ourselves accordingly. It has taken me years to “know my worth” and I still feel like I should be charging more to actually earn the income I believe I deserve at my skill level.
When have you failed and what did you learn from that experience?
Every year I analyze what the weakest part of my business is – whether that’s client experience, organization, automation, or my actual skillset when it comes to photography. That becomes my goal for the year – to figure out how to improve it. In 2019 I focused on nighttime reception photos, as I felt that it was the weakest part of my business. I took online courses and attended a workshop. I feel confident that I know how to operate artificial lights now and am no longer hesitant to share a full gallery with a potential couple.
Do you have a morning routine?
My husband has a corporate job in the city and needs to be out the door by 7:10 am. I wake up with him and we start our days together. We try to go to the gym…but we aren’t as good about that as we should be. I start every morning with a latte (our Breville was one of our best purchases!) and a bowl of oatmeal. By the time he’s on his way out the door, I’ve showered, put on “real clothes,” walked the dogs and am starting my work at the computer.
What are your go-to resource recs?
Jenna Kutcher gives great marketing and business advice (and started as a wedding photographer). Honey Book | Rising Tide is also a great resource.
What are you working on next?
Surviving this virus and all of the rebooking mess. For real though!
Where can we find you online?
www.theganeys.com. I’m also on Instagram @theganeys and on Pinterest here!
Thank you so much Emily!
The Renegade Review spotlights people living life on their own terms and charting their own paths. Nominate a renegade here and sign up for the newsletter.