Meet Savannah Conley | Portrait Photographer

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

Hi Savannah, how do you think about risk?
I think the only way to achieve anything worthwhile in life is to take risks. My motto for the past few years has been “do it scared”. The only path towards our dreams and goals requires stepping out of our comfort zone. There were several big risks I took that led to the success of my business, one being moving away from my home state. I left behind family and friends to pursue a lifestyle that really spoke to me. I took a lot of leaps of faith during that time of my life, and I am a huge believer in following the signs and synchronicities. The second big risk is, of course, financial. In order to start a business you have to pour not just time, but money into it. This can really make you feel like you’ve lost your security blanket. Nearly every dime I made for the first year went straight back into the business. Was this a risky move? Of course. I could have failed and spent all of my savings, with nothing to show for it. But instead I did things the right way and set myself up with systems that help my business make more money and run more seamlessly. The biggest risk of all though, is putting yourself out there. You have to put absolute faith and confidence in yourself and your idea and then present that to the world to either succeed or fail. You have to be comfortable enough with fear and failure that they don’t paralyze you, or you will never meet your goals.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a family and senior photographer located in Western Colorado. I really gravitate towards crisp, timeless colors. I want my images to look beautiful and classic 10, 20, 30+ years from now. It took me about 7-8 years to not only nail down my personal style, but to get a legitimate business up and running. Photography started as a hobby for me in high school and turned into a side gig throughout my senior year and college. I took every shoot and opportunity offered to me, and was constantly seeking education in the form of internships and mentors. After having my first kiddo I discovered my “why” and my drive to make this a full time gig kicked into high gear. Family and senior portraits felt so much more meaningful to me. I wanted to capture not just what families look like, but what they feel like. I wanted to capture the details that time tends to swallow up. I wanted to give my families an heirloom they could cherish for generations, not just another pretty picture. I heard something on a podcast the other day that talked about how if you are entering into photography to make a quick buck, you won’t make it past the first two years. If you don’t have passion in this business, it’s not the right gig for you. Only 15% of photographers make it to year 3 of business. Operating a legitimate business and creating art for people are two totally different things and it’s really important to not just produce great work, but to have business sense. That is probably the biggest challenge for creatives everywhere, but it is actually one of the things I love the most. I think finding new, more efficient backend systems, improving my client experience, marketing, and even managing finances is a really fun exercise in creativity and problem solving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh fun question! Western Colorado has so much to offer. I think I would spend at least 3 days in Crested Butte- that’s my favorite area in Colorado. Stay at the Nordic for a cozy room and great hospitality. Take a day trip to Gothic and visit Emerald Lake if you have 4wd abilities. I also recommend a leisurely drive up Kebler Pass, if you’re lucky you may see some moose! Then spend some time in town, enjoy quaint shops and great restaurants. The Eldo is probably my favorite joint of all time- they have amazing craft beer and himalayan food, that is my ideal combo. Secret Stash is a CB icon and not to be missed. For some nightlife be sure to check out the Public House’s event calendar, they bring in some great concerts and Crested Butte has an awesome late night taxi that will bring you back to your accommodations.

Then drive on over to Ouray for the rest of your stay. This is a super quaint mountain town and a great jumping off point to explore the San Juan’s. Spend at least one day driving the Million Dollar Highway into Silverton. Enjoy the scenery and stop at Thee Pitts BBQ. It was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and honestly exceeds expectations.

In Ouray there is a LOT to do. Ouray hot springs is an awesome attraction for families, but I think it’s worth it to drive into nearby Ridgway for Orvis Hot Springs. It is clothing optional so be prepared, but it is a luxurious experience with lots of natural pools and great views. Ouray Brewery and Eatery 66 are both must stops in this area. To get an amazing high alpine experience, take a jeep tour! The open air jeeps are an amazing way to see the mountains and the guides know the best spots.

Finish off your stay with a day trip to Telluride! Ride the free gondola, explore downtown and mountain village and check out Brown Dog Pizza or Wood Ear for some amazing ramen.

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?
I would like to shoutout my good friend Sarah Hall. She has shown me the true meaning of community over competition, encouraged me when I needed it, offered constructive criticism and truly priceless photography and business advice.

Website: www.savannahhphoto.com

Instagram: @savannahhphoto