Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Watson.
Hi Terri, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a native Nashvillian, I have been blessed to live and work here my whole life.
My love for photography came about when my only son decided to join the high school marching band in the 9th grade. I of course being the proud mom started capturing him in action playing the sousaphone during competitions. I also made sure to get photos of the other musicians in the band as well. I had a blast and started branching out capturing not only the marching band, but photographed the football games, basketball games, soccer and other sports at my son’s school. I was also shooting theater, cheerleading and other extracurricular activities. I didn’t want to leave anyone out and showcase as many students and their talents as I could.
As an alumna of my son’s high school, I wanted to donate my time and photos to the school and to the families of the students I was photographing knowing these kids could look back as an adult on their times in high school and have special moments caught by me that will live on forever.
Even after my son graduated in 2019 I have continued to take photos and create memories for the students. I am known as Ms. Terri the Photographer.
I started having the students and parents ask me about professional photos such as senior sessions and family sessions because they knew me, were comfortable with me and loved my work.
So many moms have told me over the years that I bring out the personality of their child and they are comfortable with me and have fun during my sessions. The best comment I get at the end of a senior session is, “This was so much fun and time went by so fast!” I love people and making them laugh, feel at ease and and comfortable and I want to bring out what makes them special.
Every single person on this planet has a purpose, is unique in their own way, has so much to offer the world, and everyone has a beauty about them.
As I am photographing my client during our time together I enjoy getting to know them and capturing them, their style, personality and beauty.
I also relish shooting sports of any kind because the pace is different and I enjoy capturing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat and those moments that everyone will be talking about the next day or even longer!
I have even taken photos from the back of a speed boat of someone skiing and have been pushed to the middle of an ice rink in a chair to take photos of an ice skater practicing for her competition and I was holding on tightly to my camera both times! Haha
In the meantime, I also became interested in cityscape/landscape photography as well and spent many hours in downtown Nashville, especially during Covid when it was not as crowded photographing our beautiful city. I have basically captured my hometown growing up and out.
Recently I was downtown at the crack of dawn photographing the buildings because that is the only time there are no people on the streets and I love all of the neon.
The bonus is watching the sun rise over the Cumberland River as the city wakes up.
A few years ago I took a week and travelled the backroads of Tennessee to photograph what few barns that were left and enjoyed every moment and I am sure many of the barns are no longer there now.
But I can say I have many in my photo collection.
Most of the time I have a camera with me when I leave my house- no matter where I am going or what I am doing because I never know when there will be a moment I will be able to freeze in time to last forever.
I love taking photos of nature, birds, animals, dogs, cats, and horses.
I love shooting live music, headshots for corporate, as well as scenic sights like the rolling hills of Tennessee and the beauty of Radnor Lake,
I want to tell a story, so the world is my page to write on using my camera and my eye.
There are destinations and activities and beauty everywhere that is on my bucket list to capture as a story and a moment and share with everyone! Photography is my life and my passion.
I feel beyond blessed to be able to be creative, make people happy, do the only thing I would want to do in life, and share it with others!
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 don’t think any start up business is smooth, but it helps to love what you do and have a passion for it to make the bumpy road a little easier to navigate.
There is intense competition in photography and everyone can take photos today- whether it be with their phone, their camera, their polaroid camera, and there are many features to edit them quickly.
As a professional, I continually refine my skills and try to stand out in a crowded field.
I strive to meet and exceed my clients expectations while keeping my artistic style as a photographer.
My photography is my passion and my love, but I have to remember it is a business and and there are a lot of costs involved to take into consideration when quoting prices. I want the client to be happy with my prices and my work, and I also have a bottom line if I want to survive in this business.
Fluctuations in income is another big challenge in this business. It can feel at times like it is feast or famine.
There is no regularity to this business which makes budgeting crucial.
I at times try to be Super Woman and do it all and make sure everyone is happy and will put many hours in to make it work and forget I need to rest and take a break.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of bringing joy to others with my photography. There is no better feeling than walking into a home or a business or a school and seeing my art framed and/ or hanging on the walls. Or seeing my images on invitations, graduation cards, Christmas cards, T-Shirts and big screens.
Also, when my client posts the photos I took of them, their family or their senior and many comments are, “You were captured perfectly” or “the photographer captured their personality” or “you were able to make my son smile when he won’t for others”, or “This was the best time today with you!”
Also, what I am most proud of is feeling I have made a new friend with every client I photograph!
These are just a few!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is when the client tells me how happy they are with their images, how easy I was to work with, how relaxed they felt with me, how much fun they had, how I went above and beyond their expectations and when they refer me to others and/or come back for more sessions time after time.
Pricing:
- Individual Photo Sessions: Begin at $400,00
- Family Sessions: Begin at $500.00
- Corporate Headshots are $100.00 pp
- Landscape Digital/Prints- Begin at $75.00
- Cityscape Digital/Prints- Begin at $75.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terrilwatsonphotography.com
- Instagram: Terrilwatsonphotography
- Facebook: Terri L Watson Photography
