Meet Emily Boden

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Boden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, 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?

To start your own business, and make your creative side public, you need to have some sort of confidence. After inserting myself into the photography industry, my confidence dwindled after comparing my work to others, especially those with 10x more experience than myself. I even encountered imposter syndrome in the first few years of my career. However, my clients are the ones that help me overcome that and build my confidence. I have been lucky to have had such great clients who share with me how much they love my work. Having that support allowed me to overcome the imposter syndrome and continue to grow my confidence. Additionally, I consistently remind myself of the work I have put in to be where I am and develop my style, which grows my confidence.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a passionate photographer with a diverse portfolio and a keen eye for capturing special moments! I photograph engagements, events, graduates, and sports. With years of experience at Florida State University and the University of Pennsylvania, I photographed a wide range of sports and key moments, developing a knack for action shots and dynamic scenes. My work has been featured on major outlets, including ESPN. For the past four years, I have specialized in portrait photography, focusing on couples and events. I combine technical skill with a creative vision to deliver stunning, memorable images for every occasion! I am based in Philadelphia, PA, NYC, and Long Island, NY.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One quality that was impactful in my journey is adaptability. Often, plans change. The weather can turn, event times can change, clients can get sick, etc. Being able to prepare for the unexpected is crucial. When I plan graduate photo sessions, I set aside a block of dates that clients can book. I then set aside an additional week for any reschedules. This helps alleviate the stress of the unexpected popping up. Learning to go with the flow and use the resources you have will contribute to your success.

Another quality that has been instrumental is my outgoingness. Often, clients are not comfortable in front of the camera, and as a photographer, it is our job to give them more than just photos, an experience. Clients look to the photographer for guidance, how to pose, and to navigate the session. Being outgoing has allowed me to connect with my clients, make them feel comfortable, allow them to have fun, and create a relationship where I often get to work with them again, or get referred.

The area of knowledge that made the most difference was understanding how to use my camera and lenses. As a self-taught photographer, it is easy to get caught up in using auto for most functions. Throughout my career, I have made a point to learn about every part of my equipment and photography. Knowing all of this helps develop personal style and make your images that much better. The technology nowadays allows for great photos using auto functions, but what separates most is the ability to understand each setting and set it to capture the image how the photographer sees it.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I recently relocated to a new city without any client connections. My current biggest challenge is publicizing my business and meeting the needs of the market. While I have worked in marketing before, and have these skills, I went from a super small city to one of the biggest cities in the United States. The industry is much more saturated and I am adjusting to the new market. It has been trial and error in understanding the new market and where I fit. I have shifted in my focus areas to meet the needs of the people and have readjusted my pricing to adjust to the current market. This took time and now I am at a place where business is starting to pick up again.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Headshot – Chak Files
Photos – Emily Boden Photos

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