At Evolve Edits, we love highlighting photographers who have built thriving businesses by creating sustainable workflows. This week, we’re featuring Stacy Kennedy, a senior portrait photographer based in North Dakota. Specializing in high school senior portraits, Stacy’s studio has grown into a thriving business, providing clients with personalized experiences and stunning photography.
Stacy’s journey began when she transitioned from fashion and makeup to photography, combining her passion for styling with her eye for detail. Over the years, she has focused on refining her workflows, embracing in-person sales, and expanding her services with the addition of an associate photographer and outsourcing editing. Today, Stacy continues to grow her business, delivering high-quality portraits while fostering lasting client relationships.
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Stacy Kennedy shares how focusing on niches, workflows, and client connections helped grow her senior portrait business.
From Fashion to Senior Portraits: Stacy’s Photography Journey
Stacy’s background in fashion played a significant role in shaping her approach to senior portrait photography. She initially started photography because she wanted to photograph her kid and later built her career by incorporating fashion styling, makeup, and color balance into her shoots. This focus on creating a fashion-forward look within the senior portrait genre helped Stacy carve out a unique niche and set herself apart in a competitive market. Her understanding of fashion and photography gave her a strong foundation to build a successful senior portrait photography business, which she continues to expand over time.
Images © Stacy Kennedy Photography
The Power of In-Person Sales (IPS) for Growing Your Photography Business
One of the turning points in Stacy’s photography business was her shift from digital sales to in-person sales (IPS). Initially, Stacy started with digital sales, but she quickly discovered that IPS allowed her to build a deeper connection with her clients. It gave her the opportunity to guide them through the selection process, ensuring that they chose images they truly loved. Plus, she could make note of small adjustments during the session, like fixing hair or highlighting specific details that might have been missed in the digital sales model. With IPS, Stacy could easily address client preferences and make real-time improvements because she could see her clients reactions to their photos.
The decision to switch to IPS not only improved her customer satisfaction but also boosted her revenue. Clients appreciated the tailored approach, the chance to see their images in person, and the faster delivery of final products. This increase in revenue was also driven by the curated options Stacy offered during IPS sessions. Her decision to outsource editing also allowed for a quicker turnaround that helped promote a steady flow of business year-round.
Outsourcing Editing to Save Time and Scale Up
As her senior portrait photography business grew, Stacy realized that spending so much time on editing was limiting her ability to take on more clients and expand. To streamline her workflow, she decided to outsource her editing to Evolve Edits. This decision allowed her to focus more on shooting, client interaction, and business development, while still delivering high-quality, edited images.
Outsourcing editing also meant that Stacy could offer that faster turnaround times for her clients, which has been a major selling point for her senior portrait photography business. It allowed her to scale up her business efficiently while maintaining the same high standards of work.
Image © Stacy Kennedy Photography
Expanding into New Niches and Studio Growth
While senior portraits remain her primary focus, Stacy Kennedy has strategically expanded her photography business to include branding, headshots, and family portraits. This diversification keeps her business active year-round, even during the off-season for senior portraits, and ensures a broader client base. Stacy’s website reflects this expansion, with distinct sub domains for each photography genre, helping her target the right audience without diluting her brand.
As her business grew, Stacy outgrew her home studio and invested in a larger, brick-and-mortar space. This move allowed her to accommodate more clients, take on larger projects, and offer a wider variety of services. The new studio has provided the room needed for her business to scale, supporting her expanding team and enabling more creative opportunities for photoshoots. It’s been a crucial step in elevating her business and continuing her growth in the photography industry.
Image © Stacy Kennedy Photography
Hiring an Associate Photographer: Taking the Next Step in Growth
To further scale her operations, Stacy hired an associate photographer. This strategic hire allows Stacy to offer more sessions, expand her portfolio, and continue providing exceptional service to her clients while freeing up her time to focus on the photoshoots she loves most. By bringing an associate photographer on board, Stacy has been able to grow her team, increase her capacity, and take on more clients without sacrificing quality. This move has been an essential part of her growth strategy as she continues to expand her photography business.
Key Takeaways for Growing A Senior Portrait Photography Business
Stacy Kennedy’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to grow their senior portrait photography business. From in-person sales (IPS) and outsourcing editing to expanding into new niches and investing in a brick-and-mortar studio, Stacy has created a solid foundation for long-term success.
Her approach to scaling a photography business provides a roadmap for photographers who want to expand beyond a single niche, build a team, and maintain a high standard of service. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your photography business to the next level, Stacy’s story shows that focusing on the right strategies and building the right support network is key to sustained growth.
Images © Stacy Kennedy Photography
What can Evolve's editing services do for your business?
Want to scale your photography business like Stacy? Let Evolve handle your post-production editing so you can focus on shooting, selling, and growing. If you’re looking to grow your business and take post production to the next level, Evolve is here for you!
Contact us today to learn more about our memberships and post production services.