Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Toland.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I bought my first camera nearly ten years ago. I had just graduated with my BFA in Dance and had gone from dancing several hours a day to hardly dancing at all. I was in need of a new creative outlet and found that and more in photography.
Early on, I used my camera to help build my husband’s entertainment business. I took all of his promotional photos and would tag along to events and shows to capture his performances. It wasn’t long before people noticed and I started getting photography requests.
Flash forward to 2018 and I decided it was time to officially start my photography business. I opened my own studio on the north side of Chicago where I focus on portraits, boudoir photography, and personal branding. My goal is to collaborate with interesting people and help tell their stories with my photographs.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
All career paths come with their share of struggles. My goal is always to be as prepared as possible and meet challenges with a positive attitude.
When it was clear that I would spend my life as a self-employed artist, I decided to head back to grad school to arm myself with a business education. I graduated with my Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago in 2016.
Combining my photography skills with my business degree has led to some incredible opportunities. Whether I’m collaborating with a new person or helping someone with a personal branding project, I have found the road to be much smoother when I focus on providing an amazing service and creating images that they will cherish forever.
Please tell us about Stephanie Toland Photography.
Stephanie Toland Photography is a Boutique Photography Experience specializing in Beauty + Boudoir Photography for Women.
I am most excited and proud to be able to provide such a personal photography experience. I collaborate with every woman to build her photoshoot. Being in front of the camera requires trust and vulnerability so it’s important for me to connect with those who decide to work with me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I try not to dwell on things I could have done differently in the past. Instead, I choose to focus on what goals I would like to accomplish next. Right now my goal is to keep building my photography business and take photos of as many amazing women as possible!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4619 N Ravenswood Ave
Suite 302B
Chicago, IL 60640 - Website: www.StephanieTolandPhotography.com
- Phone: 316.304.1486
- Email: stephanietolandphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephanietolandphoto
Image Credit:
Stephanie Toland Photography
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