Meet Kristen Miller | Photographer

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

Hi Kristen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Like many people I found myself working in the corporate world, I started as a young receptionist in the auto industry in the service department and ended up working in many different roles, including a customer service manager and then eventually a service advisor. I worked in this field for about 11 years and did enjoy it for many years. In the back of my mind though I had always wanted to own my own business, I just never knew what it was going to be. In 2016 I found myself really looking for a career change and had been dabbling in photography on the side as a hobby around this time as well. My push to leave the auto industry was very much support by my husband, he could see I just was not as happy at my job anymore and working 60+ hours a week was just becoming very draining for me.

So I left and began exploring different things I wanted to do, we were in a good financial spot for me to do this which made things a little easier. I started just taking photos of everything and everyone, I called friends to be my models when I had ideas and with amazing support and referrals from so many close friends and family my photography business started turning into a real business. I was booking sessions, getting new clients and doing my own grind. It was a great feeling!

Something I always told myself was that I would be much happier working 60+ hours a week for myself and my own business but I knew 100% I did not want to do that for someone else’s business.

As my business began growing, I really had to sit down and treat it as a business, not just a hobby or start up anymore. I sat down and figured out what my cost of doing business is and how much I wanted/needed to make each year to sustain my business while also making a profit. I ran the numbers and created my price list, designed my own website and logo and really started to create my brand.

I have always been a creative and I have always understood a good busines model and understood how to deliver good customer service, so running a business was never a worry of mine. I was very good at my job in the auto industry and I feel a lot of those skills I learned definitely benefit me now as a business owner. Since 2016 my photography business has grown and sustained even through a pandemic and I couldn’t be happier with where my life is currently. I am so thankful for my husbands support through all of this, he is truly my number one fan and keeps me going!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe art comes in many forms, photos, paintings, drawings, things we create with our hands or our hearts, things that invoke an emotion or feeling is all art to me.

When I am doing a session, my goal for each session is to create actual moments and to capture genuine and authentic emotions. I think what sets me apart from others is that I do not try to force smiles and everyone to look at the camera for a photo. I like to create interactions with my clients, things they would do naturally with each other. For example, when shooting a family session, I like to play games with the parents and the kids, tickle fights, ring around the rosey and follow the leader to name a few. Doing this not only helps the kids become comfortable with me but it creates candid, real moments and that is what I strive to create each session. Yes we will throw in a few “look at the camera and smile” photos but ultimately its about capturing each family and their personality.

From a young age I have always had a strong worth ethic and I think that has really help me continue to push and grow my business each year. It is not easy of course running your own business, especially when it is just me doing all of the things. Having your own business means you are always working but you are always working on your terms. I am always thinking of new ideas for sessions, how I am going to set up my Christmas minis each year, how I am going to market a new session or fill up my calendar. I have had my fair share of mistakes and hurdles to overcome, the biggest one, and I think most artists or creators can relate is not letting yourself get imposter syndrome and constantly compare your work to other people. This can damage your own growth as an artist and business owner, what works for someone else may not work for you and that is ok! In my business you have to be able to go with the flow and not get upset when things don’t work out or your clients ends up booking with another photographer. I have learned you cannot take things personally and you just have to believe that the right clients will come your way.

In my line of business I am always learning and growing my craft and talent, I always trying out new techniques of shooting or editing and always pushing myself to be better. At the end of the day I have learned that my only competition is myself. As a business owner, you rely solely on yourself, you have to be able to hold yourself accountable otherwise your business will not survive. It is a hustle and a grind but if you are doing what you love it is the best hustle and grind!

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?
If my best friend was visiting Colorado I would plan a couples days of hiking up in Rocky Mountain National Park with lunch in Estes Park followed by a ghost tour at the Stanley Hotel. We would finish out the week with some day trips to downtown Denver to visit 16th street mall for shopping and then maybe head over to Herman’s Hideaway for some local band live music!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As mentioned before my husband was my big push and supporter to leave my corporate job and begin my business owning and creating journey. He continued to motivate me and help me see my own worth as a business owner and an artist.

I am a big audio book fan as well and love to listen to other business owners stories, their successes and failures etc. Listening to their stories is very inspiring to me and helps give me extra motivation when needed. One of my favorites for this is “Girl Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis and “Girl Boss” by Sophia Amoruso.

Website: www.kmillerphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kmillerphotography303

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kmillerphotographyllc

Image Credits
Personal photo of myself is credited to Danielle Uhl with Underexposed Photography, LLC