We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Fallon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana below.
Ana , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
As many young teens and young adults often do, I would worry about what my peers thought of me. When my so called friends would show signs of not caring about my safety or displaying risky behavior, I quickly learned to cut toxic people out of my life. My mother told me at a young age that “you teach people how to treat you”. If you let people walk all over you, then they will. With time and experience, I improved my skills with sticking up for myself. Having a goal for yourself and achieving it is a wonderful way to boost your confidence. For me that came in becoming a working photographer.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In my late teens I was approached by a scout to model. I was fortunate enough to travel extensively and it was also a gateway for my love and curiosity for photography. I spent a lot of time asking photographers questions about lighting, composition and how they got their start in the industry. Most photographers where happy to share their knowledge and others, not so much. I think one of the most important things I learned from my time in front of a camera was how not to speak to people when being photographed. Some of my favorite and best work as a model came from collaborative photographers who were easy going and supportive. The ones that didn’t communicate properly or were in a bad mood of course didn’t produce great images.The bulk of my work is as a family photographer. I also do senior portraits and business headshots. Getting your subject to feel comfortable in front of the camera is so important to capturing a wonderful image. I take my time and give lots of encouragement and direction. Most people do not like having their photos taken so making them feel comfortable is vital.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! When I first started my career I offered free sessions to hone in my skills. I practiced on friends, family members and pets. Practice makes perfect.
The second bit of advice is once you are ready to start charging for your services, be firm and stand your ground. Most of my customers were supportive in my shift from free photos to paid sessions. Some would try to lower my rates. Be confident and know your worth.
Lastly, be organized and don’t be afraid to follow up on a lead. In the beginning if I was in a social setting and someone asked me what I did, I would always carry a business card in case someone wanted to hire me. It was nerve wrecking in the beginning to call someone if they hadn’t contacted me first. 9 out of 10 times they would thank me for calling them and getting the ball rolling.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
As a mother of a two boys life can become a challenge with balancing their school, sports and social schedules with jobs or projects that I may want to work on for my business. My husband works from home and is wonderful with helping me achieve my goals. He has always been encouraging and one of my biggest supporters. Asking for help when you need it will help alleviate stress and pressure that we often put on ourselves. Communicating and reminding my husband when I have an upcoming shoot helps to keep things rolling smoothly. Also, knowing your limits and how much you can handle work wise. It’s easy to get fried and photography is both an artistic and technical process. Being stretched thin won’t produce great work so don’t be afraid to try and schedule some time off for yourself to make sure you are balanced. Lately I’ve starting getting up a bit earlier and doing a 15 minute yoga/meditation session before my kids get up. It helps me start my day on a calm and focused manner. I always end my sessions with setting a goal for the day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anafallonphotography.smugmug.com
Image Credits
Ana Fallon
