Meet Sydni Saunders | Photographer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydni Saunders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydni, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My enjoyment of photography was the main reason behind my decision to establish my own business, but it has paired with the desire to create long lasting relationships with all my clients. One of my main goals as a photographer is to be the one you trust to capture your most significant moments throughout the years. I have experience running businesses as I have a few others that I operate, including raising and managing a cattle herd (which is the inspiration behind my photography business name), dog training, and pet sitting. Although I have been practicing photography for about ten years, I officially established my business (X Lazy E Photography) in 2019. During that time I was gaining interest from friends, family, and coworkers to get photos as most of them had not had updated professional photos in a longtime. With my budget friendly availability and flexibility with session times, and good reputation, I was able to grow my business and continue photographing the various stages of life of my clients. While I am mostly self taught, I did further my knowledge by taking classes while in college and bring my photography to another level.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The main inspiration behind my photography brand, X Lazy E Photography, is the brand of my and my family’s cattle operation. I was raised on a small family farm and started raising and growing my own cattle in high school. Most of my first photos were of my cattle, the landscapes where we took them, and the small details I found in the area. I found I had an eye for photography (or so my family told me) and developed a love for photographing life. The original plan behind my photography business was to print and sell calendars, large prints, etc. to clients for their homes and businesses. Once I had interest in wanting couple and family photos, I pivoted in that direction once I realized I enjoyed working and photographing people too! It has not been easy establishing myself as a family photographer where I am located as there is a high saturation of photographers in the area. Most of my business has come from word of mouth marketing from my clients have recommended my services to their friends or family, and often they also recommend me on social media. In the last two years I have also expanded my business to encompass engagements and weddings. This new path has opened up more avenues for myself as a photographer in a small town and I am excited to see where it leads. Owning and operating a business is not easy, I have had to make a lot of adjustments, I’ve had highs and lows, but with the support of my family and the passion I have for creating lasting memories for clients I continue to pursue this business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I come from a small town, so there is not as much to do as there would be in the bigger cities, but the area I live in is absolutely breathtaking. The best time to travel here is in Autumn, when the leaves turn bright yellows, burnt oranges and brilliant reds. Taking a day or two walking and exploring the town of Telluride, riding the gondola over the mountains and looking at all the amazing leaves and stopping at the local restaurants and catching the various entertainment in the streets. A drive to Ouray to soak in the hot springs is the perfect way to start or end a trip. Mouse’s Chocolate is the best place for of course chocolate or a latte. A drive up over the Million Dollar Highway (scary but beautiful) is truly breathtaking. Honestly, the best trip would be to spend an entire week exploring the beauty of western Colorado.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family deserves the credit for my successes. They have always supported my endeavors and even recommended my business to friends, coworkers and customers which has helped me continue to grow. I love that they are always ready for an adventure or to help me pursue a new avenue and have even pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. We celebrate my successes together and they have even picked me up during the rough times, being my main encouragement to try again.

Also another shoutout to my amazing clients that originally started with me and took a chance on a new photographer. They were the ones that helped make my dream come true and make me want to continue to pursue this path.

Instagram: @xlazyephotography

Image Credits
All credits go to X Lazy E Photography