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

Hi Robin, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
When it comes to my small business as a family photographer, my definition of success is likely unique compared to most entrepreneurs. For Binny Photography, I define success not by reaching financial goals or by how many shoots I schedule throughout the year, but by the delight and excitement that comes from my clients once they see their final images. When I decided to take my photography hobby more seriously and turn it into a small business, the one thing that I promised myself that I would focus on was ensuring that this never really felt like a job. I do this work because every aspect of the process genuinely brings me joy, from posing my clients at a beautiful location to editing late into the night. The highlight is of course seeing my client’s faces light up when they get a peek of a stunning photo that captures the love and personality of their family. This is probably due to the fact that, ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated and attached to photographs. It just blows my mind that a moment in time can be collected by light and mirrors and turned into something tangible that we can hold onto forever. I know how special it is to have a photo that you treasure, so it’s really exciting for me to hopefully provide some treasures for others as well. I also define success by being accessible to more people by having affordable, fair prices that won’t set people back financially. In the photography landscape, it can often be a service that’s out of reach for many people so I try to make it easier for families to have beautiful photos without breaking the bank.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve dabbled in photography since I was very young, just taking walks around town and seeing what I could capture that day. About seven years ago I stumbled upon a Craiglist ad for a great DSLR camera with extra lenses and once I saw what I could do with that level of equipment, I knew that I could turn this hobby into something more serious. My journey has been long and slow because I never wanted to take the fun out of photography by putting too much pressure on myself. I spent a lot of time through trial and error, YouTube tutorials and lots of practice with friends and family to hone my skills. After I discovered Lightroom and decided to invest in legitimate editing programs, things really took off and I felt confident enough to start marketing myself and pursuing a wider range of clientele. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am always trying new things, always learning from others and I really listen to my clients and find out what they’re truly looking for and what their story is. I know how awkward photoshoots can be for people, so I work hard to make them feel comfortable so they can be themselves and enjoy the process too!

Along the way, I’ve learned SO many great lessons as a small business and as a photographer. I’ve learned that it is impossible to know everything about photography so it will be a lifelong educational process for me. I’ve learned that people want and love a lot of direction and cues, so having an endless amount of those stored in my brain is so very helpful! I’ve learned that word-of-mouth marketing is, hands down, the best marketing tool there is. And I’ve learned that as long as I’m having a great time doing what I’m doing and trusting myself along the way, that will show up in my work in a big way.

If there was one thing I’d want people to know about Binny Photography it’s that I treat every session as if it were my own family’s photos. My only goal is for my client’s to be blown away by the final product and have something they’ll treasure forever.

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?
Oh man, I have so many favorite little spots in Northern Colorado! Starting with my city of Loveland, I would have plenty of outdoor activities planned for visitors including tubing down the Big Thompson river followed by dinner at AKA Kitchen, Henry’s or Durbar. The evening can’t end without spending at least an hour at The Flipside for arcade games and delicious drinks. I always take visitors to places like Viestenz Smith Mountain Park, Devil’s Backbone and River’s Edge Natural Area. Brunch is probably my favorite meal so some of my favorite spots for that include Doug’s Diner, First Watch and AKA Kitchen (again! Love them). We would of course wander downtown 4th street and check out shops like Quantum Peach, Boutique by Sonja and Canyon Collectibles followed by drinks and food trucks at the Backyard Tap.

In Fort Collins, I love exploring anywhere along the Poudre River Trail or wandering around their amazing Natural Areas. A brown-bag lunch at Picnic Rock up the canyon can’t be beat, followed by delicious beers and great ambience at Intersect Brewing. For amazing food I love Jaws Sushi, Star of India, Comet Chicken, and definitely the Pickle Barrell! A hike at Horsetooth is a must-do and I love to take visitors climbing at Duncan’s Ridge as well (if they’re not afraid of heights!).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person that’s supported me most in this journey and encouraged me to believe in myself and in my talents is my husband, Luke. Luke has been an entrepreneur himself for over ten years and has so much knowledge to share when it comes to getting my business off the ground and keeping it successful and fulfilling to me. As a family photographer, I’m working evenings and weekends in order to meet the scheduling needs of my clients, which is a challenge when you’re also a mom to a toddler and working full-time. Luke has been there every step of the way to make sure that I can do this work, however hectic and inconvenient the schedule may be. I would say the greatest support he’s given me is that of greater confidence and self-worth when it comes to my work as well. I’ve often struggled with underestimating myself and second-guessing my skills but he keeps me in check and reminds me to never doubt myself.

On this journey I’ve also connected with other local photographers who’ve been so gracious with sharing their expertise as well. Whether it’s a great location recommendation or equipment tips and tricks, this community has been so open to building each other up rather than being competitive and territorial.

Website: www.binnyphotography.myportfolio.com

Instagram: @binny_photography

Other: Email – binnyphotographynoco@gmail.com

Image Credits
Binny Photography

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