Today we’d like to introduce you to Porsche Thomas.
Hi Porsche, 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?
Memories. I honestly think that’s exactly where photography starts for me. Growing up my brother and I were raised mainly by my two wonderful grandmothers. I can vividly remember one of my grandmothers ALWAYS carrying a disposable Kodak camera in her purse. She documented all of our memories with those little cameras. It was a running joke about her skill of always cutting someone’s head off in at least one picture on every roll of film. If it hadn’t have been for her and those little disposable cameras, my brother and I wouldn’t have any pictures.
The older I got I realized I appreciated memory documentation. My mother suddenly passed away when I was 19 and when you’re preparing photos for a loved one’s funeral you realize how many or how little memories you captured over the years. My family was never one to have professional family photos taken every year, so we were mostly left thumbing through candid Kodak film prints. But it was in that exact time of my life that I truly realized just how important photography was. I knew it was always going to be a huge part of my life. When our loved ones are gone, our memories are frozen in time through pictures.
Fast forward 5 years, I purchased my first big girl camera- a secondhand Canon Rebel t2i, but then pregnancy happened and I didn’t really pick it up for 4 more years. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome played over and over in my head. I looked at that camera one day and thought to myself, “I’m doing it. Today is the day.” I turned it on manual and never looked back. I started my business at the age of 29. Here we are 2.5 years later and a couple of camera upgrades since then and I still get shook realizing that I did it. I finally followed a dream of my own.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I started my photography business in November of 2019 (at the age of 29), so naturally when 2020 came pulling up with Covid-19 in haul… my nerves were a little shook. I can’t lie! Income wasn’t an issue because I do still work a full-time elementary school job. That was some peace of mind, but when you take such a big leap into entrepreneurship crashing and burning right out of the gate is not what you have in mind. (Lol) The Lord is good y’all. My business took off like I never imagined it would, especially in the middle of a pandemic.
I would also say that my age has been a little intimidating in this industry. It seems like photographers just start out younger and younger now. So, I had to tell myself from the beginning that no matter what your age- if you love something enough and you are good at it, don’t let anything hold you back. That’s what took me a while to get started in the first place. I thought it might be too late in life for me to start a business that’s primarily young adults in their early 20s, and from what I’ve noticed most with no spouse or children. People aren’t paying us based on our age or family status. They pay us because of the amazing art we create!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is just the art of creating beautiful images and memories. I would love to say that I have found my niche area of photography over the last 2.5 years, but I LOVE IT ALL! I don’t ever want to burn myself out, so dabbling in all types of sessions is what works the best for me. I did sort of accidentally become a pretty regular wedding photographer. Haha, I’m not sure how that happened so quickly, but it did. That’s what I’ve been most busy with this year. It’s just been an amazing time for me.
What makes you happy?
My biggest happiness comes from my two blonde-headed boys that call me mama., and of course my wonderful husband, too. They are amazing. You will actually catch them tagging along to sessions with me sometimes. That was another upside to owning my own business. I would get to share my passion with them and show them beautiful places that photography takes me. Some would probably say that bringing my children to work with me isn’t very professional, but I will always agree to disagree.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $750+
- Regular sessions start at $175+
Contact Info:
- Email: Porschelynphotography@gmail.com
- Website: porschelynphotography.
mypixieset.com - Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/porschelynphotography
- Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/porschelynphotography
Image Credits
HaileyB Creative
