Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stacy Keck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Stacy, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Feeling confident and successful in my work is something that I’ll probably always struggle with. I didn’t go to school for photography, so I’ve learned everything by trial and error, watching and learning from my friends and colleagues, and challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone.
I think that my definition of success has changed over time, too. Some people gauge success based on money or fame. These days, I am really just focusing on maintaining a sense of ease and joy in my life. As long I’m continuing to learn and grow, and not burning out on unfulfilling work, that’s what thriving looks like to me.
Comparing myself to others is never helpful, either. I’m not trying to be the best at anything, but I am always trying to be my best.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My journey as a professional photographer began about 14 years ago when I started covering events and editorial profiles for a local magazine. Back then, it was considered pretty unusual to leave your day job and go out on your own as an artist. I really hustled a lot — I did a lot of free and super discounted work for friends, and learned new skills along the way by assisting other photographers and taking workshops and online classes.
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about running a profitable business through being involved with organizations like APA (American Photographic Artists) and sharing knowledge with other photographers. Taking photos is only a small part of what we do — most of the time we’re writing proposals and negotiating, doing research and pre-production, and marketing our services.
One of the best moves I’ve made in the past year was hiring a Studio Manager, Dominique Khoury Sutton. We’ve been working together to streamline our workflow, tighten up contracts and work more efficiently to provide better customer service to our clients.
Together, we’re also focused on growing a team of Associate Photographers. The SKP Team is available for corporate events, lifestyle portraits and video.
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?
The three qualities that have impacted my journey the most are Collaboration, Communication and Motivation. For me, collaboration has always been a place where creativity thrives. When we come together to share ideas, that’s where the magic happens. Communication is key in order to make sure we’re all expressing our wants and needs. Motivation has been a key factor in my journey because when you work for yourself, there’s no one looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re staying on track. Developing a routine that involves plenty of sleep, exercise and a healthy diet, keeps me from burning out.
My advice for people who are early in their journey is to set boundaries with your clients and yourself. When you’re passionate about something, it’s easy to immerse yourself in it to the point where it becomes your identity, and other parts of your life start to get neglected. Stay focused on creating work for yourself, in addition to your clients. That’s the work that is going to keep you inspired and motivated.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always searching for talented photographers and videographers to join my team! Feel free to send us a note through our website, https://stacykeckphoto.com/contact.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stacykeckphoto.com
- Instagram: @stacykeck
Image Credits
Photo of Stacy: Kevin Roche
