Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Gold.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Victoria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have loved weddings ever since I was five years old and watched Father of The Bride for the first time. My whole life I wanted to be a part of the wedding world but I did not pursue it immediately.
I went to Indiana University and studied Journalism. I found myself consistently opting to take the Photojournalism courses. I even studied abroad in Paris and took photography courses while I was there. While in school, I interned at Milk Studios over the summer one year which really meant I was cleaning the bathrooms and answering the phones for $20/week for gas. When I graduated in 2013, I did one Art show where I sold a photograph I took when I was in Paris but had no idea how to make photography a career, so I began working in PR at a talent agency. Being in LA, it almost felt like you HAD to work in the entertainment industry. I was even told by one of the top wedding photographers when I told him my interest of becoming a wedding photographer and he said DON’T. He said it was not glamorous and he was so burnt out from it. So I listened. My camera sat on my dresser and collected dust. Fast forward two years, I was depressed and having a quarter-life crisis. I went on Lexapro and began searching for what I wanted to do. I went on 10+ interviews at random companies, I tried improv, etc. In the summer of 2015, On a whim I posted in a big Facebook Community I was added to called Girls Night Out that I wanted to get back into photography and wanted subjects. I was willing to photograph anything and anyone. I got quite a few responses. Bloggers, couples, moms, etc. I picked 3-4 people. My first subject was a couple who was pregnant and wanted to do a photoshoot to announce the gender or their first child. The morning of the session, I went and traded in my old camera for a new, top of the line one. Pretty sure I maxed out my credit card on this one. From there, I shot a few engagement sessions with rented equipment and was the definition of faking it until you make it. I joined what seems like a million face-book groups for photographers and asked a million questions. The couple I shot the gender announcement for asked me to do their maternity/engagement photos a few months later and connected me to their wedding photographer. The requested that I assisted her on their wedding day. I started assisting that photographer on more weddings. At the same time, I started taking head shots of agents at the Agency I worked at, as well as headshots for their clients. I was doing photography on the side for a full year and a half while I worked in PR. Eventually, I knew I couldn’t really grow my photo business while still working my 9-5. I didn’t have enough money saved so I searched for a part-time job. Eventually, I landed a very part-time job at a bridal store. I figured the connections would be good. After 3.5 years at my stable office job, I put in my two weeks. Shortly after one of the couples loved their photos so much that they asked me to do their wedding, that was in March of 2017. 2 years later, I am now doing Photography full time and actually making a living. It’s truly crazy. There is a lot more that went in to those 2 years so let me know if you want to know all that! Oh and I still photography the family who I did their gender reveal in 2015. They have two kids now!
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh not at all. I wish there was a formula on how to be a successful small business owner. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t have at least one moment of self-doubt. But having other friends in the industry definitely helps because you realize everyone feels this way. On a more tangible level, I’ve had my equipment stolen from my car while it was parked in my garage, I’ve let people take advantage of my lack of knowledge in the industry, etc. I shot two weddings with full blown pneumonia. I think we are all kind of figuring it out as we go along? I just keep reminding myself how far I have come from that first solo wedding in 2017 till now. I have 23 weddings booked for 2019. Thats three more than my goal of 20 weddings.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Victoria Gold Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
So my Company is Victoria Gold Photography (creative name I know). I specialize in wedding photography but also do all sorts of photography! As far as what I am known for I think my personality sets me apart. I am super outgoing and love to talk to people and hear their stories. I think that comes across in my photography. Emotions are my favorite thing to capture. I am most proud of how happy my clients are!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Good question. I think we (photographers) are all a little afraid. It seems like everyone is a photographer these days. Every second there is a newbie on the scene willing to charge pennies for their services and people who don’t value photography who are only willing to spend pennies. But I can’t shame that, I was there not so long ago.
I do think that people are hiring people more based on their personalities than their photos with the rise of social media. At least in the wedding world. That’s why it is so important to be present on those platforms. I get 80% of my clients from Instagram right now. As far as trends, I think photography trends are mostly the style of editing. Right now there is a huge trend in Warm and Moody/Darker images. But you can’t pay attention to those trends too much. I mean in 2002 the trend was all black and white images with a selective color pop. I think we are all glad that trend is over. I think clients are expecting more for less as well. As long we always take the time to educate our clients, it should be okay.
Pricing:
- I start at $3800 for full day wedding photography as of right now. But it is always changing as the market changes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.victoriagoldphotography.com
- Phone: 8183095128
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/victoriagoldphotography
Image Credit:
Photo of me is by Marissa Elaine Photo, Other photos are all by me.
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