Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Lang.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Like many photographers, my interest in this field just started out as a hobby way back in middle school. My first hired/paid photoshoot was a family session that I did my freshman year of high school, at only fifteen years old. When I realized I could turn this hobby into a job, I decided to start my own little business at sixteen years old. I began marketing myself to friends/family through Facebook. However, jobs were far and few between as I learned the ropes of how to balance being a business owner and a high school student. I even quit photography at one point (for about 6 months), when I felt that nobody believed I could be good enough to actually do this as a high school student. I thought people viewed me as too young, or that they didn’t take my work seriously. Because of these doubts, I wasn’t sure if I could handle the pressure of ever shooting a wedding. However, the more engagement shoots I did, the more confident I became in capturing the genuine love that my couples shared with one another.
At nineteen, in my freshmen year of college, I booked and shot my first wedding. I absolutely fell in love with the wedding industry. I have always been a Creative; through music, drawing, and writing; but when I discovered that I could tell people’s stories through photos on the biggest day of their lives, it really brought a new wave of purpose to all of the hard work I was putting in.
Today, I have shot upward of 40 weddings and it is only the beginning. Stephanie Lang Photography (SLP) is growing exponentially and I could not be more excited to see where this business takes my team and I in the next few years. My clients are incredible, and their gratitude and love are really what have allowed us to create genuine friendships out of what could have just been business relationships. I am so thankful for the opportunities and relationships that have come about from diving into this profession.
The saying, “No grit, no pearl” is a perfect way to describe what we do at SLP. My team is constantly working to continue learning as the photography industry changes, and to hone our skills as story tellers- because that is what we are. Genuine and intentional service is weighed heavily as some of the most important elements of all that we offer to our clients. By prioritizing this, we are able to serve you well and deliver the wedding images and experience that will leave you wanting to re-live your special day all over again.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Stephanie Lang Photography primarily specializes in Wedding and Lifestyle photographic services. Although we primarily target weddings, we also book engagements, senior sessions, family sessions, and most any events my team and I can accommodate our clients for.
What sets SLP apart is the personal, non-corporate relationship that we try to develop with each of our clients. This allows my clients to call or text me with any questions they may have along the way during their wedding planning process. Creating this free-flowing mutual relationship has helped developed a genuine connection with my clients that allows them to be very comfortable with my team and I on their wedding day (rather than not knowing their photographer(s) at all).
SLP is also different because every one of our packages is limitless in its photo delivery. By this, I mean that I do not put a cap number on the amount of edited photos we deliver to our clients. I believe that each wedding and session are just as unique as my clients who booked them. They deserve to be given a gallery that tells the full story of their booked wedding or session. For this reason, I deliver whatever amount of photos which will do exactly that.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The main thing I would love to see the Chicago Wedding Industry improve on is communicating to clients the importance of investing in photography for their wedding day. I have seen many couples who are not willing to make the investment, and then they end up with photos that don’t truly tell the story of their wedding day. Chicago could do a better job of advertising this above any other part of the wedding industry, because photos and video are the most tangible keepsakes that couples have to remember their wedding day by.
Chicago is an amazing place for opportunity and growth as a new photographer and entrepreneur. For someone just starting out, I would tell them to write out a list of goals… and then scratch it and aim higher. Try to communicate frequently with those who you look up to, and never be afraid to ask the tough questions.
Pricing:
- Complete wedding photography and videography packages both begin at $2,100
- Combined photo and video packages include discounts
- Booking an Engagement Session offers a discount on your Wedding Package
Contact Info:
- Website: stephanielangphotography.com
- Phone: 708-937-3845
- Email: stephanielang8@gmail.com
- Instagram: stephanie_lang_photography_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanielangphotography/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Stephanie Lang Photography
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