Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Lyell.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been in business for 12 and half years now. I went to school for photojournalism at Ohio University and graduated in 2009. That really catapulted everything for me. I knew from the time I graduated that I wanted to tell stories. I wasn’t sure what kind yet, but I knew I wanted whatever I did to tell a story that was good and true. I freelanced for The Lexington Herald Leader newspaper in Lexington, Kentucky for a bit and really enjoyed it. But it wasn’t steady enough income and I felt a little like I wasn’t really getting to know the people I photographed, which I longed to do.
After doing a couple of friends’ weddings I decided that maybe I could give wedding photography a go. I loved it, I was hooked. I was a newlywed myself, so I really identified with the couples getting married and I loved telling the story of their day. Since getting a bit older and having a family myself, I have started to see the day in a new light, of parents watching their children grow and find love and start their own families.
I also added family photography to the mix early on. When people found out I was into photography, some were interested in having their families photographed. I also adore family photography. Kids are such great subjects for many reasons – they aren’t aware of the camera and don’t care how they look, they act like themselves, they are funny, cute, sweet, and sometimes very insightful. I also love watching parents be with the kids, it is a relationship unlike any other and I love getting to watch and photograph it.
Since beginning in 2009 I have honed in on and really gotten back to my roots of photojournalism. There were a couple of years in there of chasing trends, but it didn’t take me long to realize that documentary photography had my heart.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Like anything in life, it hasn’t always been smooth. I’d say having kids myself probably was the biggest adjustment. I had to find new rhythms and slow down a bit. Our kids are a little older now so it has gotten a little easier, still not perfect, but I’m finding a new groove.
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?
I am a photographer. I photograph the story of people getting married and all that it entails, as well as the story of their family. Both are rich and deep and beautiful. I suppose I would be known for my documentary style of capturing moments, little pieces in time that you want to remember forever. I love what I do and every shoot, every wedding lights me up inside!
How do you think about happiness?
My family, my friends, my faith, and making others happy. Life is meaningless without those things in my opinion.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@goodstory.co
- Website: www.goodstory.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/goodstory.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LyellPhotography
