Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Anne Billings

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Anne Billings. Check out our conversation below.

Anne, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
For years, I have wanted to be a full-service photographer where I provide quality prints, albums, and wall art to my clients. This dream was on my heart when a client showed me a print from their session from a cheap box store like Walgreens. I was devastated when I saw it! The colors didn’t match the digital image and the shadows on the faces were so dark. I couldn’t get this image off my mind for years. Since then, I knew I had to be there for my clients, from coaching them on what to wear to their session, all the way up to providing fine art prints they can showcase in their homes! I achieved this goal this year by investing in sample products and designing personalized products for every client! And most importantly, my clients have their images off their phones and showcased the way they deserve within weeks of their session!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I am Annie with Annie Bee Photography.

My first career was teaching kindergarten, and I bring that playful spirit to every photo session to capture genuine smiles! For your next session, let’s skip the “cheese”! At your next session, we’ll slow down. We’ll watch clouds drift by and cuddle up in the golden sunlight I’m all about nailing that perfect posed shot 📸 where everyone’s looking at the camera. But once we get that golden moment, it’s time for the real fun to start!
Imagine twirling, snuggling, and chasing each other in the sunset rays. Yep, that’s where the magic happens!
And guess what? I bring a bag of props to surprise your kiddos. Trust me, it’s not just the kids who’ll be laughing; parents end up with genuine, uncontrollable smiles too! I treat every client as if I was photographing my own two kids who are now 12 and 14! I always reflect on what is most important about this stage that we are in and bring out the true personalities of your family! With 14 years of experience and hundreds of families in front of my camera, I know who I am as a photographer and my bold, colorful style shines through my images!

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I was raised in private school, where I had to work hard for my grades, often spending hours on homework since I have always been a slow reader. At a young age, I knew I often had to work harder than others since it didn’t just come easy. This same principle is the same in my photography business. The business side didn’t just come to me, so I had to take a business course and work hard at creating my website with no website experience. I was on a limited budget so many parts of my business I have had to figure out on my own with true grit to make it flourish. Also having fellow friends that are photographers and videographers really helps when you need to bounce ideas off of them or just need support to keep going.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Since I was a teacher originally, I have become accustomed to having a small salary. But when I left teaching and wanted to make photography work, I knew I wanted to make a decent working wage, especially since I give up nights with my kids to photograph sessions. I was ready to give up when I couldn’t get past a set amount that every portrait photographer charges. It is common for all the digital images to be provided for a set price, but it is not a sustainable business for the photographer. It leads to low wages when you think about all the behind the scenes work we put in to our business as well as overshooting and eventually burn out! I know this because it was happening to me but I was having trouble figuring out how to break the mold. If I hadn’t restructured my business to work with clients to showcase their images through products, I would have had to close the doors. I am so grateful to be here and now I am expanding my product line and flourishing. I am most excited for the wall art line. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard clients say they ordered a piece of art on their own but the size doesn’t match the space. That’s where I am here for clients to ensure we get the right size on their wall with a mat and frame that brings out the style of their home. I am honored to be apart of this process and know that my wall art will be enjoyed for years as their family grows!

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?
The biggest lie that the industry is saying is that clients only want digital downloads so photographers stay in this lane. I actually find that there are plenty of clients who value products and look forward to ordering my handcrafted pieces from layflat albums to museum-style artwork. It is so rewarding to design a framed gallery wall for my clients where we choose mat colors and frames together. Knowing my work is displayed in some many homes across the US still gives me chills. I absolutely love the product side of this business!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I began as a children’s photographer, so I know how they think. If you come to a session and put all the attention on them at once, most of the time, they clam up and want the attention off of them. Unless a kiddo is super outgoing, I put the attention on parents until the kids warm up. So I will have mom do silly things like howl at the moon or sing a favorite song. I will put the attention on me by putting a sticker on my face and acting like I can’t see what’s on my face or wearing a chicken hat. Kids love it when I look ridiculous, so I embrace acting silly to bring out their personalities.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Annie Billings at Annie Bee Photography

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