Meet Jamie Bates

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

Hi Jamie , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I have learned over the years (slowly) that being the only one in the room that looks like me is usually a good thing. I used to feel awkward and self-conscious, however now I have come to realize that authenticity is one of my core values. Standing out in a crowd allows me to be more visible and memorable from a business standpoint, and also allows me to be myself, which in turn makes me less nervous, and tends to attract my ideal clients, as they tend to be similar to myself in some way. I find that the people I attract using tend to be the people I would most like to work with as our values and aesthetics seem to click together like puzzle pieces. As a portrait photographer, it is always much easier to make people feel more comfortable in front of my camera if they feel a connection with me, whether it’s because of the way I look, or the way I act, or the work I produce.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a portrait photographer who specializes in fantasy composite portraits as well as headshots and business branding images. I cater to a more creative client who is looking for images that are unique and very “out-of-the-box”. My clients tend to lean towards a bit of a darker, or even more whimsical aesthetic, and they want a product that is completely different from the run of the mill portraits that are created at most studios. My proficiency in Adobe Photoshop allows me to offer my clients a portrait that is usually only seen on a commercial level, but I’m able to offer it at consumer prices. My brand is whimsical, fun, and fantastical; however I am also able to offer a more professional “corporate” line to my more conservative clients who may be looking for a simpler headshot, or corporate style portrait. Many times my clients find themselves opting for a mix of both styles, as my compositing skills can just as easily place them in an office setting, as well as in a magical forest! I am hoping to expand my brand by attending more events in which to offer my services, such as conventions like comic con (for my cosplaying clients) or even more traditional corporate events.

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?

I think having a solid traditional art background helped me to understand things like color, composition, and lighting. Learning photography using film was also a huge asset, as it helped to solidify my knowledge of things like exposure, depth of field, and other basic photography skills. And finally I think opening my studio with little to no business experience has helped me to overcome my social anxiety, and really learn how to interact with people from all different walks of life. My best advice would be to learn the basics. REALLY learn them until it is just second nature, and also to step out of your comfort zone and just DO THE THING. It can be super scary, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Your work and your spirit will both benefit from 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?

The biggest obstacle I am facing right now is having a consistent flow of clients. During certain times of the year I am swamped with sessions, and then other times…just crickets lol. Having no marketing or business background, I am learning as I go, and so things are growing but at a slower pace than most businesses. I am working with a business coach to help me focus, and to point me in the right direction to try and get the word out about my studio and what I have to offer. Living in a small town makes things a bit difficult, but every year is getting better. So the biggest obstacle is really just getting the visibility I need in order to grow the studio to the next level. I just need more people to know Im here, and know what kind of amazing images I can offer.

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