Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobbie Nichols.
Hi Bobbie, 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?
There are so many paths that have lead me to where I am today. Most I never realized how important they have played a role in the kind of photographer I am today. I have always been a very creative person in all areas of my life and I think it lead to creating fun photoshoots, banners and products for my clients and teams. Being outgoing is something I never realized until I started my business was so important. I am the oldest of a very large family, I was a college softball player, a catcher and was used to leading my teams. I was captain of my cheerleading squads, so directing my photoshoots just comes natural to me. But the real question, how did I become a professional photographer really just started as someone who loved capturing memories of my family and friends. My passion for taking pictures of everything and videoing everything I could! I was that person/Mom that made everyone stop and take the picture and I am so glad I have all of those memories captured in photos and videos. I will always cherish the photoshoots with my kids and family. Even as adults, we still do our traditional family pictures every year. Pictures are something we will have forever and we can look back and smile at that special moment in our lives. For years I did photoshoots for free for family and friends. Very often I was told I needed to charge for my work but I was terrified of charging for capturing someone else’s memories and then one fall, I photographed a friends wedding for fun and when they got their wedding photos back they expressed to me how amazing the photos were and how they loved all of the fun poses and moments I had captured of their special day and I really needed to do this for a living. With a push from my husband and cousin, I decided it was time and I started Bobbie Sue Photography, October 2009. I wasn’t sure what to name my business and I knew my name was different so I just went with it. Years later when I got big in senior photography, I didn’t want Bobbie Sue across the high school kids pictures so I designed my BSP logo and it has stuck. Being an athlete and my love for my children’s sports played a huge roll in my love for taking high school sports teams pictures and senior photography. I have made banners for years when my kids were small for their teams. My banners played a huge roll in what got my foot in the door for Lee’s Summit schools. My banners were different and I took a lot of time creating things for the kids. And they appreciated that. Word of mouth plays a big factor in why I have grown as much as I have! The support of family, friends, a stranger who just loved their kids pictures that I never met, a facebook share, a tag on social media, and all of the people that I have been blessed to take pictures of. It all plays a huge role in why Bobbie Sue Photography is where it is today and I know the endless hours and passion I have for photography has been just as important. It is a lot of work but I absolutely love what I do. I couldn’t be where I am at today if it wasn’t for my husband, my kids and family but most important, I think God everyday for this gift that he gave me.
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 think when you start a business there are always obstacles and challenges. My biggest struggle was self doubt. I knew where I wanted to be with my photography, I was eager to learn, but getting there was a work in progress. I compared myself to others work all of the time. Not realizing I was my own unique person and I had something different to offer! This took years to outgrow but at the same time I was growing, I was learning. With every photoshoot was a new learning opportunity. Getting clients was always a big thing in the beginning. I needed clients to take pictures of so I could post my work so people could see what I had to offer! The more I posted the more photoshoots I got and it has just kept growing and growing! I had a cleaning business for over 22 years and when I started my photography business, I ran both for a very long time! It wasn’t until covid that I stopped my cleaning business and went full time photography. As my business grew in my volume work, it presented different challenges. I realized I needed to hire help or I needed to change my ordering system to online sales and get away from paper order forms. So I moved my volume photography ordering to online ordering, which has been great, now I get to take more photos, offer different poses and everyone gets to see their photos before they order and their pictures are mailed to their homes. No matter the challenge, there is always a learning experience and a needed reason to grow! And almost all of those challenges have pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me learn that I can overcome any fears I may have and I am capable of more than I ever imagined!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think my creativeness has lead me down a path of specializing in many areas of photography. I have always been a very creative person in all areas of my life and I think it lead to creating fun photoshoots, outside of the box posing, and so much more. I custom design my own banners, collages, yard signs, custom merchandise and different items for my clients. I can be in the middle of a photoshoot, see a tree, path, object or area and go completely in a different direction than were I was originally headed. I specialize in a lot of different areas of photography, I photograph what I love and I love so many different types so that is what I offer my clients. I can photograph a wedding on Saturday, Seniors and Families on a Sunday, Monday have team pictures, Tuesday a branding session or headshots, then the next weekend I could be at a dance studio photographing hundreds of dancers and the next week photographing 46 teams of softball players! I love natural light, it will always be my favorite but I do a lot of indoor photoshoots with lighting as well. I think there are several things that set me a part from others. When I photograph a wedding, a senior, a family, they become my family. Their session becomes my personal session, I not only take pride in my work and want to make them happy but I put myself into the picture, if this was my day or my family, my child, I would want these things captured. I also edit a lot, probably too much but I want to offer my clients different options. My favorite pictures from a session might not be my clients favorite photos from their session. I spend a lot of time at my computer editing and a lot of time creating and coming up with new ideas for different things. For my volume work (aka high school team sports), I am not a one and done photographer. I like to get as creative as I can in the short time I have with my teams. I like to let the kids get creative as well. I am a district photographer for all 3 Lee’s Summit high schools and for Raytown High School along with several misc schools that have me take pictures for their teams. I do club sports, dance studio photography, competitive teams. I might photograph a team of 12 one day and a team of 100+ another day. I do a lot of senior pictures and I just love working with the high school kids! I think I have been most known for my senior photography and team sports photography. What am I most proud of? That is a loaded question. The last four years I have done a deep dive into my Faith and have learned that God has given me this gift, God wants you to love yourself and be proud of yourself. Compliments used to make me uncomfortable. I have learned that is it not selfish to be proud of myself for all my hard work. So I would say I am most proud of all the hard work and dedication I have had over the last 17 years.
What matters most to you?
The People! The kid who didn’t want to take pictures but he left his picture day smiling because he had fun. The girl who is insecure with her looks but left her photoshoot feeling amazing about herself! The Mom, Dad, Grandma who will cherish their photos of their loved one forever! The coach who was dreading picture day because he wanted to be practicing and when we finished he seen his team enjoying each other and having fun. The bride and groom getting a little time to their self on wedding day while I’m capturing them in the moment. Its the people. The ones I might never see or talk to from a team photoshoot and the ones I might spend months with creating the perfect session or perfect day!
Pricing:
- I offer several different packages that meet any budget!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bobbiesuephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbiesuephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbieSuePhotography
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@BobbieSuephoto
