Meghan O'Sullivan Photography
BRANDING + WEB DESIGN BY
Emma Rose Company
PROJECT DETAILS
Meghan O’Sullivan Photography
Meghan wants clients to know and feel that she truly cares about their entire experience with her as their photographer and wanted that to be clear when they visit her website. She wants them to feel at ease and trust that she can and will help them achieve their dreams. Ensuring her clients feel confident that they will love their final images is important. Her motivation is her sweet family and making sure that her two little boys see their mom as a business owner who is equally as capable as a man in the business world. Meghan is ready for a website that showcases not only her beautiful work, but her as a person.
Project keywords: authentic, warm, timeless, dreamy, airy
S Q U A R E S P A C E T E M P L A T E :: Maple
An Interview With Meghan About Her Brand and Business
Where and/or how did your passion for what you do begin?
“My passion began when I was 18 years old! I explored my options for visual arts schools in lieu of a traditional university, but ultimately felt like I needed to choose a more “responsible” avenue for the future and chose teaching instead. However, the passion and interest was always there and I eventually came to a crossroads in my life where it felt like it was now or never. So I went for it and I haven’t looked back! I was lucky enough to have Melissa Vossler, an amazing photographer, mentor me and get me on my feet. I now have a small group of women photographers that have been a huge support for me, especially when I feel like giving it all up. Photography has been the easy part because that’s what I’m passionate about. However, owning and running your own business has so many challenges that make you question every decision you have made! Luckily I have a great support system to remind me to just focus on my passion and the rest will follow!”
What is the best lesson you've learned since starting your own business?
“The best lesson I’ve learned is to trust myself! I’ve learned to trust my eye, to trust my gut and intuition, and to trust my values. This has been a recurring lesson I learn every year in my business in some way! When I try to do things the same way other photographers do, I’m frustrated. When I am asked to accommodate a client’s requests or do favors that sacrifice my income and the financial support of my family, I have to trust my gut and not be afraid to stand up for myself. At some point in every year of business, I come back to the realization that I need to just rely and trust in myself. I have to do ME and make no apologies for that.”
What do you wish someone would have told you when starting out in your business?
“I wish someone would have told me not to worry about what other photographers may or may not be doing with their businesses. When I focus on my business, my work, and my clients and let go of all of the “maybe I should be doing this... or maybe I should do that too” then I find my work is better and I’m a happier business owner!”
When did you realize it was time for a rebrand and/or new website?
“
I realized it was time for a rebrand when I realized I didn’t really have a brand. I just had some pretty photos on a very slow and basic webpage. Once I went from photographing my friends and family to taking on clients from all walks of life, and working 90% of my weekends, I realized it was time to get more serious about this venture. My business evolved and grew so quickly that I have almost been working backwards to catch my brand and website up with the level of work I’m doing! I’m so excited to have a brand and website that fits me!”
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about hiring a designer to help them with their website?
“I would say just do it! I wish I would have done it sooner. There are so many steps in creating an effective and aesthetic website. It was time consuming choosing the right photos and creating the web text because I’m a perfectionist. I can’t imagine the hours I would have spent trying to figure out the formatting and design aspects. It has been a huge relief not to waste hours upon hours trying to figure out correct formatting and text graphics, appropriate spacing, proper linking, SEO, etc. Knowing myself, I would have wasted hours of my life trying different templates and layouts and fonts, etc. and still not been happy. Emma took care of all of that so all I had to do was focus on the photos I love and my text. She essentially saved me hours and hours of stress! SO WORTH IT!”
I F Y O U E N J O Y E D T H I S P O S T , Y O U M I G H T A L S O L I K E :
A note from the designer
I am a self-made, self-taught photographer, web designer and educator who’s learned most of the lessons I teach the absolute hardest way. I fell in love with photography (and, really my own creativity) after my own wedding when I borrowed my father’s camera just to play around with it — turns out when you do something you love, you want to do it all.the.time.
I learned along the way what burnout looks and feels like and made it my mission to help other creative entrepreneurs avoid it all together. Instead of quitting on my dreams, I decided to turn my life around and all of that started with me. I started running and working out, lost 50+ pounds on a health and wellness journey and finally found my happiness along the way.
Using the same accountability I did in my personal journey, I began to put systems in place (and a team of people who support me) to finally run a business I love and show up well for my family, friends and clients.
Now, in all facets of my business I get to help lead others to do the same.