Story & Lesson Highlights with Holly Willwerth of Quad Cities, IA

We recently had the chance to connect with Holly Willwerth and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Holly, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
When I photograph someone, I hope that they feel totally comfortable because I believe being comfortable with me helps them be more comfortable in front of the camera. The last high school senior I photographed was just sitting in a prop chair, waiting for me to get some settings right on a light. I guess he was definitely comfortable because I got my settings dialed in, said something to the effect of, “Okay, we’re good,” and he just kept on as he was on his phone. I had time, so no big deal, we’ll just take a break. Well, after several minutes, he was laughing at something he was watching, and it made a great image. So I clicked the shutter. When he realized I had been waiting on him and not the other way around, we both had a good laugh.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m equal parts midwestern and southern. I’ve spent half of my life in Iowa and half in South Carolina. They’re both very much home to me. I am a wife of 30 years and a mom to two amazing daughters. But most importantly, I’m a Certified Boutique Photographer. I serve my clients at the highest level. I walk them through every aspect of their sessions and create gorgeous heirloom-quality, custom artwork for their walls or beautiful one-of-a-kind albums from the images we create.

My favorite part of my job is seeing my clients see themselves and their families in a new way. I love watching their faces light up when they see their artwork. I also have a lot of fun with my clients. I enjoy serving them by taking all of those stressful things about photo sessions off their plates. I help them curate a wardrobe, select locations, give session ideas, and the best part, help them create gorgeous pieces for their homes.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That would probably be my husband. He has this strange ability to see all the flaws and still stick around. And he’s never asked me to change a thing.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That’s not your worry. As a young person, I was very much a people-pleaser and took on a lot of everyone else’s emotions and issues. I’d tell myself it’s okay to have boundaries and that I can say no with kindness.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the biggest lie portrait photographers tell themselves is that people want digital files and a LOT of images. I believe that my clients hanging their images on their walls or putting them in a gorgeous album they can hold is serving them far better and far longer than putting them in their cell phones. Digital files corrupt, Thumb drives get lost. Phones go bad. Artwork lasts.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
As a kid, I remember not getting to do a lot of things that my friends got to do. Because of that, I’ve tried really hard to say yes to a lot of things, for my family, for my girls, for their friends, even my clients. I would love all the people in my life to have great stories of something I said yes to that they never thought I’d go for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orangedoorstudios.net
• Instagram: @orangedoorphoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-willwerth
• Facebook: Orange Door Studios