What’s your name?
Kelsey Adams (I’m changing it to this since I’m getting married this September)
Where are you located?
Portland, OR - United States
If you could describe what you do for a living on your own terms, what would you say?
Freelance Real Estate Photographer and an aspiring food photographer - because food is delicious lol
Aside from your given title, would you say there are any other titles or hats you wear in this position?
Lead Photographer
Is this what you always wanted to be when you grew up?
I always knew that photography was a huge interest of mine. It wasn’t until high school where I really began learning the basics. From there, I started to teach myself and really find my path.
Can you put into words your career history to date?
I dipped my toe in a lot of different ponds until I dove right into this one. It was scary but I am so glad that I did. Now, I just have to make sure I relax but still stay afloat and just keep swimming (I love Dory by the way)!
If there was ever a time where you weren’t working for yourself, how did you make the leap from working for someone to working for yourself? Was it an easy transition?
It was a very scary transition. I had helped build a small business with someone who wasn’t willing to let me grow. So, when it came time for me to come out of my shell and really put my education to the test I had a little push from Allan (my fiancé). I finished out school and hit the ground running so to speak.
Coming back to the present, (haha) what is your morning routine before you start the day?
I shower, which I like to do if I get to the gym… Dang, I need to get back in there (Lol). I email a few people that are coordinators for certain agencies around me and I tell them my availability for that week. I also call, text and email my clients to update them on my gallery, what’s new for the company and just checking on how they’re doing. From there, if I have any extra time I go around to offices around Portland, etc and introduce myself to new agents. I drop off flyers that I designed and some business cards and sometimes I get call backs. If not, I go back after I’ve emailed them a couple times.
Describe what you do between stepping into your work space and then calling it a wrap at the end of the day (Basically, your average work day):
While shooting, I have a certain routine and it’s long and weird but I have to write everything down by making checklists. I need checklists. These checklists include; confirmation, shoot, edit, Virtual Tour and deliver. In between there are other things I do such as change SD cards for each listing and saving the images onto my laptop. Oh and getting diesel is important, too! *wink emoticon*
After I’m done delivering all of the images to each client I go through my invoicing for that day/week. I make sure people have paid, etc, etc, etc boring stuff. I like to always make sure that I’m not working too late. At my last job I worked 18 hour days sometimes and it was ridiculous. Now, I relax so that I can do a great job for each listing I photograph.
What is your favourite part of the day?
Waking up because I never really know what to expect when I walk into a listing.
How do you define internal and external success in all that you do?
Internally for me is that I am comfortable and happy. And my business should be the same. If I’m always stressed out then my business will suffer. Externally, I want to be busy and professional. But I also take pride in getting to know my clients, their clients and each and every listing I come across. Every home is different. It’s my job to get to know it so I can present it in its best light.
What has been the biggest success so far and why?
The biggest has been that I have somehow understood most of the legal part of becoming an independent LLC. I earned my BFA in photography and design but they didn’t really dive into the legal aspect too much (Lol).That’s really been a miracle.
With all that success there’s bound to be some overwhelming moments, how do you overcome the bumps along the way?
There have been a few downs between my ups but I just need to learn from my mistakes. I now carry two camera bodies, a special carrying case for SD cards and always bring a backup system. I’ve photographed over 500 listings and the one time I lost images is going to be the only time.
Ok, so you’re sitting at a cafe across the table from your biggest career inspiration, who is it and why?
There are a lot of people out there that who have inspired me to be who I am today. Friends, family and others. But the one who really pushed me the most was my fiancé. I know it sounds corny but it’s really true. I would never be where I am today if it weren’t for him pushing me everyday and reminding me that I can do these things. And look at me now! I’m doing it. I’ve paved my own path. It may be rocky sometimes but it wouldn’t be mine without a few cracks.
I think that’s really important. To accept your own faults and overcome them in your own way. It takes a lot to get to know yourself, I think.
Now, someone new to the career field is sitting across the table from you, what advice do you give them?
You should always listen to those who have been in the game for any amount of time because they can either become your boss or someone who will land you a sweet job someday. Just don’t be an assh*le. Keep going for what YOU want and don’t ever believe someone that says you can’t because chances are, they’re the assh*le who no one wanted to ever hire.
Would you go back and do any of it differently or just the same?
I am a big believer in that things happen for a reason. I would never change anything in the past only because I love where I’m at today. I would never trade those 18 hour work days because it taught me a lot about how to be a business owner.
So if that little kid you used to be before looked at you now, do you think they’d be excited to grow up?
Oh yeah. She would totally would be excited. She’d wonder how I got there because my old self would be like, “YOU THREW AWAY A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO GO TO ART SCHOOL!?”
What do you want to do next?
The obvious answer is that I want to grow with my business. But really that’s what all sane business owners would want to do. I don’t, however, want to be a millionaire. I want to lead a simple life that builds fun and caring relationships with my clients. I want to do what I want with work and with life. And now that I run this business, I can do that! I don’t have to ask anyone and it’s awesome.
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite!” - Will Ferrel on Elf
This is seriously a good one because smiling really is better for everything. If I’m ever tired, stressed, or anything else I try to remember that I need to be positive because that will push me to get where I need to be. Oh! And, “On Wednesdays we wear Pink!” from Mean Girls