Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Damico.
Hi Lisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
If you told me when I graduated from college that I’d be a self-employed photographer with my own studio space in Northern Virginia, I would have been very surprised and clueless as to how that came to be. That said, as I look back on the various jobs and experiences I’ve had over the years, they all taught me something valuable and helped me get where I am today.
After earning my degree in International Relations and Spanish, I spent two years working and teaching English in France. My dad gave me a camera before I left, and I loved traveling on weekends to capture the scenic landscapes of the French countryside and the architectural wonders of Europe. Naturally, I enjoyed the delicious food, wine, and pastries, too! While I was never at a loss for something fascinating to photograph, I found myself drawn more and more to capturing people. It turned out that the shared laughs, conversations, and connections formed during these interactions touched me more than anything else.
Back in the U.S., I took my first real job with an international arts and disability nonprofit. It was great to be surrounded by creative people and I continued to travel from time to time for work. I learned a lot about navigating office dynamics, approval processes, and graphic design, as my boss had extensive graphic design experience. But after a major funding loss and massive layoffs, my job description changed, and I quickly began to feel stagnant.
In search of something to make me feel excited and driven again, I started taking online photography and business education courses. I practiced photography on friends and family, built a portfolio, and eventually opened a part-time portrait business in August 2014. As a solopreneur, I wore many hats, including one for marketing, of course! I started to learn all I could about promotion and social media and even took over the social accounts for my nonprofit job. This is when a new path began to reveal itself to me.
One day, I made a list of things that I enjoyed and would love to do professionally—social media, photography, and wine. I typed these into Google and to my surprise and delight, a job listing popped up—Marketing Director at a popular local winery. It seemed too good to be true, but I went ahead and applied. The next day I received an interview request and a few weeks later I started a new job.
I took my camera to work every day at the winery (by now, I’d upgraded from the one my dad gave me when I went to France). Not a workday went by that I wasn’t photographing vineyards, sunsets, wine releases, customers, coworkers, and more to share on the winery’s website and social accounts. My photography improved as did my knowledge of how to successfully run a small business, attract new customers, market, and sell products. I even met my now-husband when I took his photo at a festival!
After four years at the winery, my side photography business had grown enough to take it full-time. My original focus was headshots, but an early client asked if I could do an online dating photoshoot for him instead. With online dating photography, I quickly saw the difference great photos made in changing people’s lives—and I loved being a part of that process. What started as just taking snapshots of clients at a few different locations has grown into a full-service photoshoot experience that includes a carefully chosen team of professionals. To help my clients get the best results, I now work with a personal stylist and image consultant, a professional hair and makeup artist, a chauffeur to take us from location to location, an online dating profile writer, and an expert panel to vote on clients’ strongest images from their photoshoot. Regularly hearing from clients that they’ve found their perfect person because of my photos is truly the best part of this job.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Taking a slow and steady approach to becoming a full-time photographer has made it smoother than it could have been. But like everything else in life, there have been ups and downs. Whenever an obstacle popped up, I did my best to view it as a learning opportunity rather than a deterrent. If a client was confused or unhappy about part of my process or the final product, that meant I hadn’t done my job to properly educate, prepare, or listen to them. I would immediately look at how I could improve the experience for future clients.
Some people are fine cutting the cord, jumping right in, and figuring it out as they go. That’s just not me. I very intentionally built my business on the side. I wanted to make sure I had the systems, processes, and pricing in place that would allow me to make an easy transition and have a sustainable and profitable business. For years while working a 9-5 job, I would schedule photoshoots at the crack of dawn before going to the office and back-to-back on weekends. I’d take client meetings and phone calls every evening after work. During my long commute to and from work, I listened to hundreds of hours of photography education, self-improvement, and business development podcasts and audiobooks, so that each day I was learning something new and becoming a little bit better. When my part-time photography business started bringing in significantly more income than my full-time job, I knew I was ready to make the jump and haven’t looked back since.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The first thing people say when I tell them that I’m an online dating photographer is, “People actually hire someone to do that?”
Yes! They do and, in the process, save themselves a lot of time and frustration. In many ways, online dating mimics job hunting. Would you hire someone who didn’t appear to be trying hard for the job? No. No one aspires to have typos in their resume, post a mediocre headshot to LinkedIn, or wear a messy, thrown-together interview outfit. The same applies to online dating. The care and attention you put into preparing yourself, your photos, and your profile lets others know you’re a catch who has his or her act together. All of this ultimately leads to better matches.
Many photographers offer online dating photography in their list of services along with family portraits, weddings, pets, babies, food, and so on. I intentionally specialize in photographing adults who are at transitions in their lives. This feels the most energizing to me. And because I’m not trying to do all things, it allows me to be really good at what I do. I love being able to bring together the same tools celebrities use to look their best on camera and offer that experience along with the amazing results to “everyday” people.
While I am an artist, I’m also very much a systems and processes person. I am constantly tweaking and refining my process to make it easier and more effective for clients. My clients invest time, money, and emotion (we all feel at least a little vulnerable having our photos taken), so getting it right is always my goal. At the end of what I hope is an exceptional experience, the men and women I work with come away with excellent photos that make great first impressions and open new opportunities for connection.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I highly recommend that all entrepreneurs and small business owners join a local networking group. I’ve had a wonderful experience as a member of AWE (Awesome Women Entrepreneurs) which has since become a program of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Running your own business can sometimes feel isolating. By joining a networking group, you get to meet and learn from other like-minded individuals. It plugs you into a wealth of experience and knowledge while also making you feel like part of the community. I’ve made friends, hired other members, been hired by groupmates, and become more intentional about supporting small and locally owned businesses.
Contact Info:
- Email: lisa@lisadamicoportraits.com
- Website: www.lisadamicoportraits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisadamicoportraits/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadamicoportraits
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lisa-damico-portraits-alexandria
