Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Becoming a photographer was never on my radar. My first love was actually video. I took a broadcast journalism class in high school and fell in love with everything about being behind the camera. From brainstorming endless ideas at the drawing board, directing scenes, editing everything together, and watching the vision in my head come to life. Everything about it was magical, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I decided to pursue telecommunications at Bowling Green State University. During my time there, I did some photography on the side just as a hobby. I loved taking photos of my friends and family. It was only a matter of time before people started asking me to take some photos for them. My photography started snowballing, and before I knew it, I had fallen in love with photography. While it wasn’t what I originally set out to do, the reasons I fell in love with both photo and video were the same- being creative and telling a story. After graduating with my Bachelors of Arts in Telecommunications, I really committed to photography. Learning, practicing, and growing in my craft. About a year later, I ended up quitting my full-time job to pursue photography full-time. Here I am, 7 years old, almost 200 weddings, and a photography studio later; I am living my dreams of being endlessly creative and telling stories for hundreds of people a year.
Alright, 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?
I’m a naturally anxious person and have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. The initial idea of opening up my own business was so glamorous. But it wasn’t too long before I realized being an entrepreneur can be extremely challenging and isolating. Every aspect of the business falls onto my shoulders. My brain never seems to shut off work. “I need to email them back today; I need to get those photos edited by Monday; I have a shoot tomorrow…” The responsibilities never end. Which can make having a healthy work/life balance almost impossible. Opening up these struggles to my family, friends, and on my social media platforms has been game-changing. I have been met with so much grace and understanding. Knowing that I’m not just seen as a business owner, but as a human being. It’s so important to share our struggles, to relate to one another, and know that we are seen and heard. Now when I take a day off or put the business on pause for a minute, I’m celebrated, and people are excited to see me do something for myself. Because they understand I need it. It’s been incredible, and I’m so lucky to have so many people rooting for me. It’s always going to be a struggle, but I know I’ve got people in my corner who care about my mental health.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
After a shoot or wedding, many of my clients tell me how much fun they had and how comfortable I made them feel. I’m very proud of the way I’m able to work with various types of people and gauge their personalities from our initial meeting. It helps me to cater their session to them and their comfort levels and ensure that the session fits them personally. They’ll tell me “These photos are so us!” And that makes me so happy to know I captured them perfectly. I’m a big empath, and that helps me during every wedding or portrait session I do. I’m not a “look at the camera and smile” type photographer. I want to capture each and every wedding, couple, family, boudoir session, etc, exactly as they are. Raw, authentic, in the moment. That’s what makes it meaningful.
I also really love to give back. Each year for my Christmas mini-sessions, I partner with a local nonprofit and do a charity gift donation. When my clients come to my mini-session, they each bring a gift donation for a child in need. The past few years, I’ve been partnering with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. They help survivors of rape and sexual assault all over the Cleveland area. They do so much to help those hurting in our community, and I’m honored to work with them and help give back. I want my Christmas minis to be more than the Christmas card photos. I want it to be about helping others and making Christmas special for those who could use a little extra hope and joy.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I just opened up my own photography studio in downtown Oberlin, Ohio, in September. It’s an amazing space with lots of natural light. It’s been a dream of mine to open a studio and have a place to call my own to capture memories for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aileenelizabeth.com
- Instagram: aileenelizabethphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeenPics
- Other: @aep.boudoir on instagram (boudoir page)
