We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Siobhan Becker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Siobhan, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My generosity stems from the abundance of kindness I received when I first started out.
I remember starting out, fresh out of college, taking on shoots at cost to gain experience. I once accepted a job that was beyond my skill level, and the client was understandably dissatisfied with the results. The situation escalated when another photographer shared their concerns on Facebook, and I faced criticism for taking on the job and undercharging. However, amidst the negative feedback, a few individuals took the time to offer words of encouragement. One photographer, Jenna Emmerich Photography, went above and beyond by inviting me to her studio to learn from her. Her kindness and willingness to help inspired me and gave me the confidence to grow
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an event and portrait photographer based on Long Island. I got my start capturing parties for friends and their families, and it’s surreal to see where it has taken me. Capturing the joy and love within families is something I cherish, and I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love.
One of the most special aspects of my career has been the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Many have become friends, and I’ve had the joy of watching their children grow up. It’s an experience I never expected but truly cherish.
I am currently working on a client loyalty program and plan to launch mini memberships next year.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Consistency, kindness, and determination helped me the most on my journey.
Determination set the foundation for success. I never truly considered giving up on photography, even when things got tough. That mindset kept me pushing forward through slow seasons, creative blocks, and the challenges of running a business. Instead of letting setbacks discourage me, I used them as motivation to improve and grow technically and otherwise.
Developing and maintaining consistency in my work helped me build trust with new and potential clients. Even more crucial to my growth was maintaining consistency in my actions. Whether it’s meeting deadlines, maintaining clear communication, or delivering a seamless client experience, I want people to know they can count on me. If you struggle with consistency, start by choosing one area of your business where you can implement a repeatable action. For example, you could make it a habit to send a thank-you message after a client makes a purchase. Over time, this small action will become second nature, helping you build consistency effortlessly.
Kindness has played a bigest role in building my business. Receiving it was a huge help when I was just starting out—I got such good shooting and pricing advice from other photographers in my community, and clients referred me to their friends to spread the word. I’ve been lucky enough to give back along the way. Whether it’s offering advice, supporting a colleague, or referring clients to other photographers when I’m unavailable, it’s not just about helping the client—it helps me too. Even when I can’t personally shoot an event, I can still maintain trust by pointing clients in the right direction.
My advice to someone starting out is that you can help people while you’re climbing the ladder. You don’t have to wait until you’re at the top. That generosity will come full circle.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities, or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive network of photographer friends who have played a significant role in helping me grow personally and professionally. They serve as my sounding board, providing a safe and constructive space to share ideas, seek feedback, and learn from each other’s experiences.
A vital aspect of our group dynamic is how we uplift and motivate each other. We celebrate each other’s successes and offer encouragement when faced with setbacks or self-doubt. This collective positivity has helped me stay motivated and focused on my goals, even when things get difficult.
Vanessa, Brittany and Tori– thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://photosbysiobhan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbysiobhan_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photosbysiobhan1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhanbecker95/
Image Credits
Tori Lynn Captures
Brittany Keller Photo
Vanessa Yen Photo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
