Life & Work with Alyssa Zoellner of Worthington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Zoellner.

Hi Alyssa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
You probably don’t care to know how I started my photography journey, as it’s pretty much the same for all of us. “Started out as a hobbyist and at a very young age was gifted my first point and shoot camera.. oh and also I love coffee…” yada yada yada 🙂

But what might intrigue you is that outside of photography, I am known for my fierce Birkenstock tan lines, my love for sourdough, and how I somehow became our neighborhood’s historian, but more on that later…

Before my photography business, I worked for a FinTech Startup in Columbus, OH helping our company implement new business verticals. I was what you call a badass boss babe. Somehow, in the midst of the pandemic, I found myself sitting on an ultrasound table, masked and alone, while my husband waited in our car in the parking lot. It was then I found out that I was growing not one, but TWO babies. Imagine that FaceTime, if you will. Knowing what raising a 2 year old was already like, I found myself hysterically sobbing to my husband that I was going to have to quit my job, sell my car, and that we were going to have to move. I called my boss and took the day off, and then did what any boss babe would do. I grew those 2 humans to full term, yes 38 weeks, took my maternity leave, and then gracefully put my notice in upon my return. So yes, I quit my job and I did sell my car, but thankfully with some good ole fashioned budgeting we didn’t have to move. Fast forward 6 months, as a stay at home mom to 3 kids 3 years and under, I found myself desperately searching for a creative outlet, and that’s how this business started.

I love learning, and photography is no exception to that. While I knew a lot of the basics from taking a few classes in college, I decided to go all in and invest in a few courses. My first year of business I was thrilled to have booked 5 mini sessions, now almost 4 years in, I have sold 25 minis with requests for more, plus my regular non mini sessions, rounding out at almost 60+ sessions this year. I also try to do a mentorship once a year to fine tune my skills and get new perspective from other amazing photographers.

While this wasn’t the journey I was expecting for myself, it has become my favorite job. Not only do I get to be involved in my babies growing up on a daily basis, but I also have this amazing profession that actually brings joy to people!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone’s road to business ownership is smooth. That being said, my first year felt a little wild. I’m so thankful for friends and family who took a chance on me. Everyone has to start somewhere and it can be very hard not to compare your work to some of the greats in the industry and question why is my work not getting the recognition theirs is? I found myself trying to emulate other peoples style in hope that it would give me more business. I spent WAY to much time trying to figure out my editing style and ensuring my IG grid felt ‘cohesive.’ So much so that I think I forgot to trust my intuition. It’s so hard to be a business owner. You don’t have a boss that can tell you where your work shines and where you need improvements. It really takes a lot of self reflection to figure out what’s lacking and how to improve upon it.

In the beginning I also fell victim to the IG algorithm telling me about every service and product I needed to be a successful photographer. Courses, equipment, gear, website builders, galleries, CRMs, email services, social media managers, etc. The list goes on forever. I’m thankful for my mentor, Jess Dandurand – Bird’s Eye View Photography, who helped me see the bigger picture. She said all you need is a good camera, a decent lens, and a basic system to deliver galleries. Once you get a few years in you’ll realize gaps in your process and be able to make better decisions on what’s necessary for YOUR business. Everyone deserves a Jess!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional photographer! I specialize in families – every kind of family from newborns to great grandparents. I also have been working with interior designers to capture their art, events, branding, and headshots. The bread and butter of my business though, is families. I am known in our community as the neighborhood historian. 3 years ago, our 4th of July committee was looking for some help with photos for a couple of the events (there are 6 events that need photographed), and that turned into me taking on all of the events. I show up with my camera, get to know our neighbors an document a 5k race, softball games, a carnival, a thank you breakfast, 4th of July floats, and the parade. This position has been held since the beginning of these events 54 years ago! It’s such an honor to be able to give back to the neighborhood in this year and be able to watch families grow each year.

In terms of my family photography, I would say people probably recognize my love for the outdoors, use of light, and florals. I love a dreamy golden hour session with all the flowers. I think what sets me apart from others in the industry is my ability to cultivate a comfortable environment for my clients. We’ve all been there, especially parents, where you’re sweating, your hair isn’t laying quite right, your kids are acting feral and just randomly found a dorito in their carseat on the way to your photos and now their outfit is stained with dorito dust. Being a mom, I’m prepared for these moments. I always have baby wipes ready, I can get the kids to chill out and have fun, get the parents to take a deep breath, and remind everyone they’re hiring me because I’m fun AND because I can edit that dorito dust out NO PROBLEM! Family photos don’t have to feel like a chore, and even when the kids are not acting the way you hoped, I am still able to capture some great in between moments.

I’m most proud of the joy my work brings to people. There is seriously nothing better than receiving a text or call about how happy they are to have photos of their family. Additionally, I volunteer for an organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. This organization offers the gift of healing, hope, and honor to parents experiencing the death of a baby through the power of remembrance portraits. I am a Digital Retouch Artist for this organization which means I edit and retouch photos of these beautiful babies so that parents can have a tangible black and white gallery of their child. Being able to serve these families is something that truly touches my heart.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I love this question! I think so many times in articles we read about these amazing business owners. but don’t always recognize the people that helped get them there. So thank you for asking this!

First and foremost, as previously mentioned, Jess Dandurand, Bird’s Eye View Photography. I actually met her through photography! She photographed our oldest Beck for her newborn photos. Her youngest son and my twins were born a few weeks apart. When I reached out about picking her brain on potentially transitioning my career to photography, she told me that she was honored I asked and that it’s a beautiful industry that has room for everyone. She answered every call, helped me feel confident in settings with rough lighting, and gave me feedback on my composition and editing. The only reason I said yes to this career pivot was because of her, and I am so grateful for the time and effort she poured into me to help me thrive.

Ramsey Baker, Ramsey Baker Photography – who has been instrumental in helping me setup a client experience that I love, as well as, helping me grow stronger in my newborn portfolio. She has a way of teaching that sticks with you, and is so so lovely to hang out with. She has also connected me with a few other photographers in our area that give me such inspiration in my day to day work.

Cait Rose, Cait Rose Photography – We’ve been emailing most of the year and I am thrilled to be able to study under her this fall. So while writing this I’ve only admired her work, by the time this is published, I will have had my 2025 mentorship with her!

Elizabeth Joy Frere, Joy in Photos – My cousin recently got married and I had offered to her wedding photos even though I’ve never really done a wedding before. Elizabeth recently joined my mom’s group and offered to meet with me and help me prepare. We also talked our regular family business. It was so lovely for her to donate her time to me, help me get comfortable with flash photography, help me put together a timeline for the day, and share her biggest learnings with me. Also being another Worthington Mom really helped, because we found out we both love Joya’s cafe 🙂

Michaela Boyd, Marleigh Vaccaro, Besties – Michaela and Marleigh have been my best friends since I was 8 years old. When I first started getting into photography, they asked me to do their Senior Photos at Inniswoods, and they put up with all my nonsense of taking photos of EVERYTHING. Fast forward to our mid 30s and I’ve photographed their babies, their toddlers, their families, and I truly couldn’t have gone all in without them.

Michaela Ward Nimley, Bestie – I met Michaela while pregnant with my oldest, Beck. She ended up delivering her!! fast forward to my pregnancy with the twins and she was also pregnant with her oldest! Our babies were born 2 days apart. When I decided to pivot she was my hype girl. Telling me yes do it. Let me take photos of her family in every lighting scenario. Encouraged me even when I knew she knew the photos were not good lol. She also has an amazing eye and vision so I love picking her brain on my tones, composition, and outfit choices.

Tara Schumacher, Neighbor + Friend – Tara is our neighborhood’s original historian for the last 10ish years before she asked me to take it over. I remember meeting with her to discuss the events. She had totes full of photo albums of years past, and walked me through the details of how to ensure I’m documenting each event properly. She’s taught me so much about our community and the joy the 4th brings to Worthington Hills. I am forever grateful that she took a chance on me, especially considering I was a newer mom to multiples and every time she saw me I had babies clinging to me crying. I’m honored she chose me to fill her shoes in this honored role.

My Husband Kent, who willingly took on the role of sole provider for our family of 5, also encouraged me to start my photography business. He believes in me constantly, supports my creative visions, and is always willing to parent solo while I’m off taking photos. My beautiful children – Beck, Izzy, + Wells, who tell their friends with pride that their mommy takes pictures for a living, love me without conditions, and are just wild enough that it encouraged me to find something to do outside of being a mom 🙂

Lastly my family and community – My parents for encouraging me to find something just for me in this busy season of motherhood and helping with the kids when I need backup. The neighbors and friends in our community who continue to book me year after year! THANK YOU!

Pricing:

• Full Session, up to an hour, 60+ images – $400
• Half Session, up to 30 min, 25+ images – $275
• Newborns, starting at $450

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alyssazoellnerphotography.com
• Instagram: @alyssazoellnerphotos
• Facebook: Alyssa Zoellner Photography
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-zoellner-a5632227/