Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Phillips.
Hi Angie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a love for taking photos, even at a young age. My mom and Dad always were taking photos and have artistic traits so I definitely get that from them. For my 5th grade graduation my parents gave me my first film camera. I shot so many rolls of film on that camera. Mainly of my friends and I goofing off and modeling for each other and on nature walks around my house.
When I was in Highschool I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue as a career, so I enrolled in business classes with some graphic design and arts classes mixed in. I was working as a waitress at Friendly Farm restaurant while going to college and photographing clients here and there, mainly friends and family. I was getting my name out there slowly, but still wasn’t sure if I was going to make photography my fulltime career.
Things really kicked off when I had taken photos of my aunt’s dog and she had it displayed at her desk at work. She always loved my photography and sang my praises to everyone. There was a photographer, Aaron Haslinger, who did product photos for her company and saw the picture on her desk and gave her his contact information. He said …”if your niece wants to learn wedding photography have her get in touch with me”. And I did. I was a second shooter for him for about 2 years. I slowly gained my confidence in shooting weddings, because at first, the thought of them didn’t interest me at all. I was/am a more timid and reserved person so the thought of documenting someone’s wedding day was a little terrifying. While working with him, I learned so much. It was truly such a great opportunity and I am so thankful he saw something in me I hadn’t seen yet. I eventually received my first wedding inquiry. I didn’t charge hardly anything at all, but I was hooked. After that inquiries kept coming and by word of mouth mainly, my business bloosomed.
I now do a mix of weddings and portrait work. Ever since I had my daughter in 2018, I have shifted my work to more family and portrait work and recently I have been focusing on smaller more intimate weddings and elopements. I really enjoy those and how much slower paced they are.
My daughter is my drive for all that I do. I am proud that I am able to own my own business and provide for her. Being able to make my own schedule has allowed flexibility that I otherwise wouldn’t have. She is also my creative outlet and love photographing her as she grows up.
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?
It has been a pretty smooth steady road overall.
I’ve road the highs and lows of life and truthfully having my business helped keep me grounded. My clients know me and know I have a huge heart and wear it on my sleeve. While I don’t always post my personal life on social media, my clients know that no matter what is going on in life, that I take my work very seriously and documenting their moments is important to me.
The biggest struggle I have found, is how easy social media makes it to compare yourself to your peers. It makes it easy to have imposter syndrome and feel like someone else is always doing something better than you. On the flip side, social media is such a powerful tool to get seen and word of mouth is huge in my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own Frozen In Time Photography and I specialize in weddings and lifestyle portraits. I rent a studio space in Hampstead, MD for all my indoor portrait needs, especially newborn and milestone sessions. My editing style is true to life with a little bit of moodiness. I love earthy, natural settings. While I always try to get that perfectly posed shot of everyone looking at the camera, I often cherish the in-between moments that I capture for my clients. I take a lot of photos during my sessions because I find that those moments in between me telling my clients what to do they are the most relaxed. They laugh. They play with their kids. They are smiling at their spouse… The moments where they think I’m not paying attention is where some of the magic is created. I am often told that my pictures show people looking so relaxed and natural. This makes me happy because that is exactly what I’m trying to portray.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I touched on this a little bit in the beginning when I told my story… My mentor kind of fell into my lap but I do find that a good mentor is priceless! Finding somebody that is willing to work with you and show you what they know and give you hands-on experience is one of the best ways to learn. At least in the field of Photography. I have never really been good at networking if I’m being honest. I am an introvert and social gatherings definitely aren’t my favorite thing. However, I do see how important they can be, especially getting your name out there. I have found that the best way for me is finding venues and vendors that I enjoy working with and reaching out to them, sharing the photos from the day and building those relationships is better for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.frozenintime.photography
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/frozen.in.time.photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frozenintimephotographyMD
