We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bea Bogan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bea, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
When you are the only one in the room that looks like you, I believe the best way to be effective is to shine your light! Start by smiling, the moment you walk into the room. It’s also important to be authentic to you! Don’t try to fit in. Rock your own style, walk your own walk and speak your own truth. No matter if it don’t match others in the room, it will leave a mark on people. Be open to talk with people, and get to know them. You can simply start a conversation by complimenting someone and go from there! Lastly once that conversation has started, make sure to have business cards or some form of professional content that those people can contact you if they would like to collaborate!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Bea Bogan and I am the owner of Bea Photography Studios. I have been doing photography for over 12 years and a business owner for 4 years. The most exciting thing about being a photographer is meeting new people. My photography business has helped me build my social skills and experience different people from many different walks of life. Photography has paved a way for me to explore other talents I have. From becoming a videographer, painter to now learning pottery. My love for photography has allowed me to open myself to the other talents in me to explore, so I can incorporate expanding my business and adding new services to my path.
I am most excited to share that Bea Photography studio is expanding! I will be partnering with my companion Tom Scott. I am very grateful to take on this new journey with someone who loves photography as much as I do and also someone I will get to experience life with! Tom Scott is a highly skilled photographer with a positive spirit! Tom Scott has been photographing in the community for over 40 years. Tom Scott photography has been showcased in multiple publications, allowing him to build relationships within the community that is valued and respected. I believe uniting our talents together will help grow Bea Photography to the next level. I am so happy for the both of us.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I am very grateful for my journey. Looking back I recognize that there are qualities, skills and knowledge that I needed to get to where I am today. A quality I believe that is impactful in my journey, is resilience. Starting my photography business was not an easy straight path. I faced situations that challenged and changed who I am as a person and business owner. Being resilient taught me how to have the strength to work through life challenges and find solutions to problems I faced as a business owner. Being open to learning from these experiences has helped me to keep pressing forward even when life throws you curveballs. These experiences have also helped me build a professional atmosphere that serves my clients with fairness, integrity and compassion.
A skill that has been impactful in my journey is the importance of working together with others. I believe that when you use your talents as a way to serve your community, it is important to recognize the value that everyone holds in the community. In order to recognize that value, I am learning the importance of working together with others who are different from me! From these experiences I gained many relationships that have opened my perspective, about life, running my business and what it means to be a part of a community. Learning how to work as a team is truly a fundamental skill that is valuable for any business owner.
Lastly, knowledge that has been impactful in my journey,is learning to work with what I have. I may not always have thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but valuing what I do have and using those tools to grow my photography business allowed me to create business creations that have progressed me to the next level.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes I am definitely looking for folks to partner with! All over the world. I am in the process of traveling full-time with my photography and videography. My goal is to connect with other Artists, business owners, and creators, to create content. Whether it is to help their local business grow or to host events in the community to connect , collaborate and hold open-discussions about ways Artists can create a wider support system all around world. Not only do I want to photograph with many people around the world. But I want to connect with others to brain-storms ways we can all help one another grow in our crafts! If you are reading this please reach out to me through my website: www.beaphotography.net or email beaempirephotography@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beaphotography.net
- Instagram: @beaphotographyohio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaEmpirePhotography/
Image Credits
My personal headshot by: Tom Scott Photography (booked through www.beaphotography.net)
