Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Pickel.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started photographing friends while I was still in High School for their senior portraits, which I turned into a business. At 17, I had developed a pretty healthy following from it. I was doing sessions on 35mm–which looking back, required so much intention and thoughtfulness.
After college I found a management position in photography that ultimately launched my current career. I eventually worked as a Regional Manager for a national portrait company that photographed infants. Photography and working with people were two things that came naturally to me but after a few years I was starting to feel like I had bigger ideas than my current position allowed. I decided to step back out on my own and follow my bliss. It had become clear that my career path would continue in photography, that it felt like a part of who I was. That acceptance was the start of Bliss Studios, which I launched in May of 2015. Bliss has evolved over the last 10 plus years. I have photographed a little of everything, and a lot of some things, but in recent years a vision for the future of my company realized itself . I know where it is headed–which feels great! Big moves are on the horizon!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Self-employment, and especially in an artistic arena always has its challenges, but for the most part my journey has traveled an organic path. I think the hardest part of having a career that persists over many years is seeing competitors come and go, and remaining steadfast on my own path. My approach to maintaining in this industry has never been something that is social media driven or even clearly visible on the surface. I am not in the business of competing for individual clients, but rather have worked over the years and continue to work to build larger relationships with staying power and true sustainability. The majority of my clients aren’t checking my social media to see what is next because we always have the next thing planned. It is human nature to draw comparisons, so the challenge remains finding inspiration in others in my industry without confusing my personal goals along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Photographer, local to Lawrence, but also work in KC and Topeka. My primary specialty is portraits, though there are some exceptions. Where a vast majority of portrait photographers are pushing for full/longer sessions with families, I find mini sessions to be ideal for family portraits because of the realism and sustainability for my customers. Mini Sessions allow families to get updated portraits regularly without the extraordinary costs of full sessions every year. I therefore see them more frequently and have the pleasure of developing lasting relationships with them. I also have long standing relationships with companies and organizations where I provide updated product photography, or large scale headshot events for professional headshots, as well as traditional school portraits.
My ties to newborn and infant photography are having a rebirth this year which feels like coming home after ten years of removing that focus from my life. My approach to my business is relational. I am looking to build clientele with longevity and sustainability. I would venture to say that 90% of my clientele becomes repeat customers. I am very proud of the relationships I have built over the years, it is the most rewarding part of my work. I am equally proud of what I offer to my clients, and know that their investment is not a hardship for them and that my services have a healthy value to cost. I want families to leave my presence feeling uplifted and relaxed, and would say that the pace of my mini sessions is unlike anything I’ve experienced. There is just an ease to which I approach these sessions, and I believe that sets me apart.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think it would surprise a lot of my client base to know, I have a Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. It is amazing how often the skills I learned from that education influence my business. I am still passionate about interior design and value my degree and everything that came with it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @blissstudiosphography
- Other: https://blissstudios.shootproof.com/booking
