

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Ferrari.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started my photography journey during my senior year of high school. It started with an unexplainable urgency to document my transition from being co-dependent to becoming totally independent. To capture my friends, teammates, and teachers who had impacted me through the years. I carried a polaroid to school every day, and when I was out of film, I’d go and buy a disposable camera and then bring in rolls of film to be developed. My college years occupied most of my time with the combination of difficult coursework, internships, and working to support myself. However, I still managed to capture the memories and people that meant the most to me. I actually have a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and studied sports medicine in college. I often revisit myself from my college days and wonder why I didn’t major in Art or photography, something that better suites my actual career. Well, turns out that the answer wasn’t hard to conceive. I come from a family of 8, my parents and 5 other siblings. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and my father supported all of us on less than $40,000 a year. So, the common theme in our household was to go to college and major in careers based on the current successes of those specific industries so that we don’t have to struggle in the way that we experienced growing up. Being a photographer was not in the realm of reason for me because I didn’t know any professional photographers, nor did I ever consider it a viable career. After all, my only goal was to be financially stable so that I didn’t have to struggle the way we did growing up.
Fast forward to 2003, when I graduated from college, which was ULL located in Lafayette, La, then quickly transitioning to 2004 when I met my soon-to-be husband. All I did was blink and we were married in 2006 and now have 3 kids together… I still had my passion for photography and still considered myself a hobbyist of sorts. My husband is in the information technology field, and he also loves photography. So, every year we would buy the latest and greatest consumer camera gear to document our family through the years. I was a stay-at-home mom, so I was able to get plenty of pictures of my kids and even started taking pictures for friends and family. Eventually, I started to get more requests to “bring my camera” to events. So, in 2011, I decided that I would transition from professional hobbyist to professional photographer. I was super insecure at first because I was self-taught and not even sure if I would be able to produce quality images. So, I studied and studied on my own, became a member of PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and there were tons and tons of tools available. I started taking online courses so that I could perfect my craft and ensure that I could give clients an above average experience. I’ve spent countless hours attending conferences, workshops, and networking with top industry professionals to expand my knowledge as much as possible and the rest is still being written. In August of 2021, I celebrated my 10-year anniversary and It’s been the most amazing journey. I currently have my own studio in Glendale, OH, which is an absolute dream that I never thought could come true, and every new client I meet just makes me fall in love with my chosen path even more. I truly, truly love what I do, and the best part is that it loves me back!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has not been an uneventful one to say the least. My first challenge was financial. Professional gear comes with sticker shock and eventually dismay. We didn’t have any seed money to start my business so it was a buy as you go situation for the first 3 years, which is a challenge in itself because you’re limited in harsh lighting situations without the proper lenses, which typically cost more than the camera does. However, once I matched my newfound knowledge with my complete arsenal of professional cameras, lenses, speed lights, and strobes, I was able to truly find myself and start showing the world what I specialize in, which is artistic, joyful, colorful, and consistent imagery that clients are proud to display through custom portrait wall galleries and luxury, high-end professional albums.
My second biggest challenge occurred in 2017 when I had to relocate from Louisiana to Ohio to help take care of my father who was experiencing health challenges. My kids were in kindergarten, fourth, and sixth grade at the time. It was a difficult transition as you can imagine, and unfortunately, I had to put my photography career on hold so that we could transition into our new community, schools, jobs, and kids’ extracurricular activities. Most people thought that we were absolutely insane, but I have always been family first, and God has always restored the things that I lost and to an even greater measure to boot. Unfortunately, my father passed away in 2019, and after mourning his death for about 6 months, I decided to blow the dust off of my camera gear and start taking up space in this new territory that I now belonged. I was able to find a photographer or 2 that hired me to second shoot with them while I started marketing my business online and basically starting all over again. It was an overwhelming and seemingly daunting task until I read a quote that said, “Don’t be afraid to start over again, this time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.” Well, that resonated with my spirit. After a few more months of indecisiveness and insecurities about not knowing literally anyone in Cincinnati. I decided to take the leap of faith in November 2019. I created this elaborate marketing plan, worked on my new website, and updated logo, pricing lists, etc. Then comes 2020 and the pandemic shuts everything and everyone off. I was obviously super discouraged and thinking, “of course, this would happen to me. Right when I thought I’d have a second chance to continue building my career.” But I’ve never been a quitter, and I wasn’t about to start now. I figured out a few savvy marketing techniques and believe it or not, I had a pretty consistent year, even considering the pandemic and social distancing. Thank God for long lenses, right?
Being that I was starting all over again, my expectation wasn’t much for year one, and I was beyond excited that I surpassed my own expectation, AND during a pandemic at that. It was then that I remembered my footprints in the sand. God has already blessed the hands of my work and promised that my gifts will make room for me. He promised to always cause me to triumph. It is nothing that I can’t do. I went into 2021 supercharged, and I started consistently booking clients beginning in January 2021 and continuing all the way through the end of the year. On August 11, 2021, I celebrated the 10-year anniversary of my company, Exposure Best Photography, I was so proud of myself for doing something that I deemed to be impossible and thought that I had reached my max potential. However, all year I was secretly believing God for my own studio so that I could have my own professional workspace to meet with clients and work on professional projects without constantly having to rent other studios to do so. My expectation was that this would happen in 1-2 years, maybe 2023. In the meantime, I would regularly search for properties to lease and would imagine what my studio would look like in those spaces. In September of 2021, I decided to make the transition from my home office to a commercial office space. While I was viewing the office space, I was shown the perfect studio space located directly upstairs from the office space and on October 1, 2021, I was standing in my new studio absolutely speechless! I now have my own office and commercial studio space. I simply cannot believe that I was able to accomplish what I thought was unattainable for me and in such a short period of time. God is truly a redeemer of time, and He literally leaves me speechless with His favor, mercy, and grace over my life. I simply cannot wait to see where He will take me and how he will use my gift to glorify the Kingdom of God.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Having spent over 10 years as a professional photographer, I am well-versed in current photographic trends and technological advancements. Clients have praised me for my positive and energetic personality and my ability to photograph efficiently and effectively while maintaining poise and enthusiasm. I bring this skill and professional demeanor to every photo shoot. I strive to make my clients feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable so that their images represent their authenticity.
I specialize in Family/Individual Portraits, Weddings, Event Photography and Commercial Headshots. My style consist of colorful and tact sharp imagery captured candidly with a few traditional poses resulting in a portrait gallery that represents the unique blend of authenticity, joy, and beauty that exists in all of us. I make it my job to bring out these qualities in all of my clients.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for anyone starting out, is to first join PPA, which will give you most of the resources needed to start running your business. If it is financially feasible, I would suggest paying for a 4–5-week mentorship with a professional photographer. This will save tons of time, energy and most importantly, will save you tons of money. Mentorships give you the blueprint so that you can start earning money and booking clients from day 1.
I used a lot of resources on YouTube and built networking relationships with like professionals in a variety of Facebook photography groups. I definitely recommend getting connected with photography-based Facebook groups in your local area and networking with other professional creatives who may offer advice or answer any questions that you post in the group. Always remember to participate with other members in the group so that when you do ask a question or need advice, people are more willing to help you out. Always keep in mind that someone else’s advice comes from years of sacrifice to learn the same lessons, so be grateful for as much or as little as someone gives of themselves to help further your journey.
Pricing:
- $175 Studio Session Fee
- $250 On Location Session Fee
- $175/hour for private events
- $350/hour for weddings
- $500/hour for corporate events
Contact Info:
- Website: www.exposurebest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exposure_best_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exposurebest/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExposureBestPhotographySlidell/videos
Image Credits
Exposure Best Photography