Rising Stars: Meet Georgia Tillotson of Cleveland Heights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Georgia Tillotson

Hi Georgia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been interested in photography since I was 12 years old. I had a plastic point and shoot that I carried with me everywhere. I entered contests and practiced the skill so that by the time I attended college, I could really dig into the art. During my second year at Earlham College, my studio art professor asked me to create a challenge for myself. So far, I had only been shooting landscapes and abstract pieces. So, I tried my hand at abstract nudes. That assignment changed the way I interact with photography, and it is still my favorite form. Today, I have created a small studio within my condo in Cleveland Heights. I do everything from family shoots, weddings, headshots, and boudoir, but my favorite will always be when someone books me with the intention of letting me have creative freedom with nude portraiture/abstract body poses. One of my favorite times of year is when I raise monarchs to use in shoots before release. Outside of photography, I am a biologist and an educator working at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. I spend a lot of time with kids, which is why family portraits are a breeze. I also own my own business called “Georgia the Naturalist” where I offer exploratory hikes and other scientific programming for homeschooled students and a PTA group in Solon. I started that business in early 2020 when families were struggling to find support in schooling their kids at home.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a small business is not easy, especially when I have other jobs on top of it to support myself. My dream is to fully support myself with Georgia the Naturalist and Georgia Peach Photography. But I love my job at the museum, so I’m pretty comfortable now. A huge challenge would be advertising for myself. It’s difficult to juggle all of these jobs, but it’s most difficult to continuously advertise for myself. I have found people who help me with graphic design and marketing, and that has been a gamechanger.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve spoken a lot on what I specialize in, but I’d like to take a second to mention my queerness and how that plays a role in what I do. Part of why I love what I do is because I get the chance to help other queer people feel good in their bodies. As a gender-queer person myself, I struggle with body image and dysphoria, and I know how difficult it is to exist like that every day. There is a particular struggle with even being perceived by others and knowing that it’s not how you want to be seen. Some of the feedback I’ve received while working with queer folx is that I help them feel gender euphoria. That’s the goal. My business card says “trans bodies are loved here” and it’s because I want to make trans people feel beautiful. I want that to be my purpose in life. I’ve also received many letters of thanks about how unexpectedly comfortable people feel in my studio and in front of my camera. I love that I can do something like that, because I know so many people are immediately uncomfortable in that setting.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by the lives I am able to change. It has nothing to do with how much money I make, it’s about the way someone feels after being photographed by me, and the way they feel when they see themselves through my lens.

Pricing:

• I am inexpensive compared to most photographers doing the same thing in this area.
• My rates will go up eventually, but right now I am building a client base so things are extremely affordable.
• I require a booking fee/deposit that will come off the total price at the end.
• Each shoot is different and is priced accordingly, so please reach out with what your needs are and I will figure out a price that fits that need.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://georgiathenaturalist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photos_by_georgiapeach/