Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Berry.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been interested in photography since High School where I took my first film class but when I wanted to major in photography in college my parents told me “It’s a hobby not a career.” I took that to heart and got a “real job” in digital marketing for country singers where I often worked alongside of photographers. I would watch them be able to go on tour and experience the world while I sat at my computer all day awaiting their photos. Eventually, I thought…I want to be the one out there in the action! So I began shooting again and was obsessed. I learned as much as I could while still having the stability of my desk job. It was helpful to have my background in the music industry to transition in photography because I already had contacts who I would offer to shoot for free so I could learn. Eventually, I moved from Nashville to LA where I took the leap to move to full-time freelance photography!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NO! It’s not been an easy path. You have to be willing to take risks and be able to adapt to challenges. Moving from Nashville to LA was a calculated risk because I already had contacts in Nashville but not as many in LA. I decided to make the move anyway because LA has more opportunities that I’m interested in than Nashville does. I knew I would be starting from scratch again but also growing my network. I went back to offering free shoots while working odd jobs to make ends meet. Every free shoot or collab opened more doors for me and grew my network in LA.
Freelance is not always stable. Don’t count your money until it’s in hand. So many times shoots fall through because of the unexpected. I’ve thought so many times things were starting to go smoothly and then BAM! Things like client budgets are cut or… a PANDEMIC! The Pandemic was really rough because everyone was confused about what’s next. Not to mention…you have to be around people to do your job which clearly doesn’t work great with social distancing.
Bumps in the road aren’t bad though. Getting pushed out of your comfort zone forced you to reflect and get even more creative. You HAVE to be able to adapt. Even if you think you’re about to break…It’s okay to have a little cry or feel overwhelmed for a moment. But then wipe off those tears, get refocused, do new research on where you want to head next, and bounce back harder!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a freelance photographer. I would say I specialize in fashion and music photography. I’m known for my dreamy and retro-inspired aesthetic. I’m proud when I capture my models feeling confident and beautiful!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It’s pretty hard to beat having an opportunity to shoot the Queen herself, Beyonce!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BerryFace.me
- Phone: 2157186897
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berryface/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Kenzie Harr, Cathleen Beer, Aly Eckmann, Guetcha, Rachel Arnold, Connor Jerome, Shaun Rodriguez, Faith Irving
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
