Feature Friday : Loren Barker, Portrait Photographer

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am a St. Louis based photographer that occasionally travels to the Flordia beaches for some sunny, sandy shoots. Love adventure and where my camera has led me to. Outside of photography I am a wife and mother to two loving, sweet, crazy boys. They keep me on my toes and I love it!

What do you specialize in?

I specialize in portraits – Family, Kids and Seniors.

How did you first get started in photography?

Santa left a film camera on my room door knob when I was 9. From a young age I have been fascinated with pictures. Always a camera in my hand. So becoming a photographer seemed like a natural path. But of course I didn’t take the easy way to get there. I went to college for interior design only to circle back to photography a few years after I graduated. Having a design degree has only helped enhance my ability.

How has using Iris impacted your business?

I have been using Iris for just around two years. Although, I should have pulled the trigger way before. Now, I can focus so much more on shooting and know that the business side is streamlined. Nothing is better then ending a shoot and seeing that leads came in and were followed up with my automated emails. Love being being able to focus on the clients in front of me while new clients are welcomed.

My favorite feature is the online booking!!! Love it. Being able to add that to my website has really added ease for my clients and me. It is great how one little button can get so many balls rolling. Iris can instantly book the client, send welcome emails, send the invoice and contract. This is the amazing little assistant I have always wanted. Recently I have been looking into utilizing questionaries more. I am really excited as to how this will help me get to know clients before the day of the session.

What are your future goals for your business? What are you looking forward to?

I want to take my sessions from a photography shoot to a memorable experience. I would love for clients to look at their images and not only see a great picture but hear the laughter and feel the fun they were having in that moment.

If you could go back to when you first started in photography, what advice would you give yourself?

Stay true to you and your style. Don’t worry about the trends, props and a zillion different other things. Rather find your own brand and grow with it.

Check out more of Loren’s work!

Website: https://www.lorenashleyphotography.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorenashleyphotographystl/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenashleyphotographystl/

Ready to streamline your business? Start your FREE 14-day trial with Iris today!