Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Simper.
Audrey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Photography was a hobby of mine since High School. But I never considered it a real career path. I spent two years of Architectural college more interested in my hobby of Photography. It became clear to me where my passions lied. I began to receive payment for headshots and events at my school. That gave me the confidence I needed to start a business.
I started my business is 2012. Over these years I have had to learn the art of business and marketing in addition to growing my own photographic skills. I’m still learning. Through exploring different genres of photography I’ve discovered what resonates with me and the mission behind my work. That mission is to help all women everywhere realize that they are truly beautiful as they are right now. I think if everyone loved themselves the world would be a much different and improved place.
Through Boudoir & Portrait Photography I help women see just how beautiful they truly are. They walk away from their experience with me with more confidence in their self-images and value.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not. I’ve decided to start a business on my own with very little money and I had so many fears. I am used to be a chronic worrier too so I had to learn the absolute hard way that worrying is just like a prayer for the things that you don’t want. There were many times I was tempted to jump ship, start a new business, find a full-time job, and run away from the things that scared me.
But I give myself props for not giving up. I realized that whatever problems I was facing in my business at the time, I would run into the same problems in a different line of work as well if I continued to leave them unaddressed. Once I changed my thought patterns to focus on everything going right, things did indeed start to go right.
It’s a constant work in progress though and it can be easy to fall back into old habits and self-doubt. But the biggest challenge to overcome has been finding my own self-value and confidence in my own work which I had not expected at the start of it.
Please tell us about Audrey Simper Photography.
My Photography business serves to empower women. I specialize in Portraits & Boudoir to help women appreciate their unique beauty and celebrate their bodies. Women who come to me do so as an act of self-love. They have previously struggled or currently still struggle with their self-image but have made the decision to do something about it. They are tired of the self-doubt and they want to feel sexy and confident while still being themselves.
My work is not overly raunchy or transformative and that’s what my clients love about shooting with me. I think that, as well as my message, sets me apart from other photographers.
The most fulfilling thing for me is getting to read all of the testimonials my clients have left me. They pour their hearts out sharing how their experience with me has forever changed their lives and the way they view themselves. I cry when I read them and this is why I continue to do this work.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
No. Because everything I learned in my journey to get where I am today, every mistake or failure that I have made has helped me grow. I don’t think I would be able to stand here as tall and confident as I am right now without having to go through my feelings of self-doubt, and other learning opportunities. Failure is the fastest way to learn and I embrace it with open arms.
Pricing:
- Images start at $150, Packages start at $1200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.audreysimper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreysimper/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audreysimperphotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/audrey-simper-photography-chicago
Image Credit:
Lauren Roth, Michelle Mink Makeup, Alex Karambelas Hair, Emma Sorenson, Andrea Bush, Bianca Sansoti Artistry, Brittany Clapper, Madeline Ford, Sulli’s Shop, Roxanna Alexandru, Jocelyn Morris Makeup, Carmen Marie Hair
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