Photographer Spotlight | Victoria Anne: The Storytog

Date: July 11, 2016

Welcome to the Photographer Supply Co. Photographer Spotlight! Each week we will feature one of our uber talented customers and their work, asking a few questions, poking around a bit on what makes them tick and most importantly: showing off some of their gorgeous work!

Our next spotlight features Victoria Hershman, photographer with Victoria Anne: The Storytog

What is your studio’s name? Victoria Anne: The Storytog

Where is your studio based? Nashville, Tennessee (Military Family, due to change)

Studio Website?

Are you currently a part-time or full-time photographer? Full-Time 

What is your predominant photographic specialization?
Motherhood Storytelling. From maternity through the first year.

What camera(s) do you currently shoot with? Sony a99

How would you define your style?
 I would say authentic, vibrant, powerful. Emotionally charged would be another good descriptor.

What motivated you to become a photographer?
 I did photojournalism throughout high school and college. I was an English major and have been a writer since as long as I can remember. Images pop into my head, story lines, plots, and they come out in one of two ways: through the written word or through photographs. I’m blessed to be able to not only photograph my families but to write a part of their story as well. Two passions colliding into one solid form. I’m a storyteller, and stories must be told.

What is it that you try to convey with your work?
Everyone has a story, big or little, great or small. Your story matters, now, tomorrow, fifty years from now. It matters. I will never be able to emphasize that enough.

How do you accomplish that?

A mix of writing and visual storytelling. When I come home from sessions, I sit and blog it while it’s still fresh. The emotions, the connections, the smallest details, conveyed through writing. I then go and edit the images, threading them together to form the rest of the story.

Jennifer Tonetti Spellman hands down. I started following her shortly after my husband bought me my first DSLR. I loved her use of color, the crisp, bold images, even though I was drawn more to the “couch in a field” photo trend at the time. Five years later, she’s been a huge inspiration for me for documentary and lifestyle photography. I adore how she’s unapologetic about the mess of life, and takes it all in as part of the story. Her work is wonderful and she herself is an amazing person.

Art wise, I think one of my most memorable accomplishments was being picked as a photographer for Beauty Revived’s 50 Most Beautiful Mothers campaign and having that session published in Denim and Grace magazine. It was a wonderful experience, it felt amazing to do something special for a mom who deserved it, and it was great seeing the images published!

For the business aspect, it would honestly be getting to the point that I’m providing for my family. When we all start out, especially if you’re charging lower prices, you’re basically only surviving, making ends meet in your own business. You don’t have a lot of spare change to give. I have been in business for almost five years and this is the first year I’ve been able to provide for my family, and it’s been excruciatingly wonderful.

What is one thing you have learned during your career?
Photography is an over saturated market. Pretty much anyone will tell you that. But there will always be clients that will be willing and able to hire you. It’s not so much about you finding them. You have to make it so that they find you. What sets you apart in the industry? It doesn’t have to be your niche or work or art or how you edit. Sometimes it’s not even photography related at all. Do you have outstanding customer service? Are you a good writer? Do you dance when you photograph your clients? Genre of music? What sets YOU apart from the sea? Why should we choose you versus this other photographer? Because sometimes, your work isn’t enough.

Which Photographer Supply Company products do you currently use?
USB’s! I simply adore my USB’s from y’all and so do my clients! They go with pretty much everything packaging wise!

How have Photographer Supply Company products helped your business?
My clients love their USB’s! Because PSC ships quickly, I’m able to get their images to them at an amazing turnaround rate plus they’re really pretty to look at. 😉