We recently had the chance to connect with Annette Yegge and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Annette, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
That the photos I take of them improve their self-esteem! I’ve had moms cry when they see the images of themselves. And, I’ve had them cry when they see the photos of their child.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. I opened my Etsy shop in 2016 and sold handmade bags and accessories with a retro twist. To be successful, I learned product photography-Lighting, styling, props, etc. I also started a sewing website and blog around the same time. I always felt like something was missing, though. Maybe I was just bad at photography.
Fast forward to 2020, I took a really in-depth online photography course. It opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had only cared about product photography up until then. After the course, I went down the rabbit hole and attempted to take better photos for my Etsy shop and blog.
But something was still missing. I signed up for an in-person class at the local college. I figured maybe they could tell me what I was doing wrong. I went to a beginner digital photography class and loved it. As the class went on, we started photographing people… and this was the BIG game changer for me! I immediately fell in love. After that class ended, I took another, and another…
The thing that had been missing in my photos wasn’t a lack of skills; it was the people!
Quickly, back to my childhood, my dad was a landscape photographer, and we always took road trips. He would take roll after roll of photos on every trip. None of the photos had me in them. Lots of mountains and rocks, and occasionally, if I was lucky, my finger would be in one image for size reference.
So, I grew up disliking photography.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Connecting with people. I’ve always been able to connect on a deeper level. Small talk? No thanks. I want to find out what drives you. I’m the person you’ll meet at a kid’s birthday party and tell your whole life story to. It happens every.single.time. I don’t know what it is, but people feel comfortable with me. My kids even notice it.
I can’t pinpoint a single moment, but that’s something I experience a few times a month. I guess I should start wearing a shirt that says “no judgment zone”, Ha!
I see people as they are- beautiful, intelligent, and unique, and I love meeting new people every day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Ha! This is a silly question. A day doesn’t go by without me wanting to quit. I think people don’t value what I do, what I create, or the art I want to share with the world. Being an artist is hard. I don’t go in to feel validated. But I smile when my client hugs me and we share happy tears.
When I make someone feel good about themselves, my job is done. I can rest.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Oh yes! What you see and hear is what you get. I am horrible at speaking before I think. So, the version everyone gets is the real me. I’m in my 40s and I’d like to say I’ve changed, but my cousins tell me I’m exactly the same as I was as a kid. Not sure if that’s a compliment or not. Haha
I pride myself on making people feel comfortable and laughing, so I’ll take it as a compliment.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Why I take creative photos. Creativity, fantasy, and whimsy aren’t for everyone. I get that. There are more people out there who want to follow the rules. Who want to fit in. But I’m not one of those people. Never have been.
I would much rather hang out with the people who want to dance under the moonlight, sip champagne while sitting in a kiddie pool, or laugh until we cry playing some silly boardgame, than fit in.
My photography motto is NO boring photos. And that goes for people, too. Although if you’re boring, I’m going to still make you laugh. Promise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annettemariephotography.com
- Instagram: annettemarie_photography
- Youtube: annettemariephotography
Image Credits
All photos are by me
