What is the story of your organization? How did it begin?
Five years in the past, the COVID-19 pandemic took over my life and the lives of many others all over the world. We all had additional time on our fingers, and it appeared like everybody was searching for a pastime or a challenge. Our first challenge as a household was getting a Cavapoo pet to assist make the times extra pleasing for my siblings and me. Soon after Milo’s arrival, I picked up my mother’s digital camera and commenced photographing him. Gradually, probably the most difficult months of my life supplied the chance to show my images pastime right into a ardour and, finally, right into a small enterprise.
Now, I specialise in capturing “end of an era” images for highschool seniors and school graduates, the seemingly mundane moments of each day life for younger households, up to date headshots for younger professionals getting into the workforce, and promotional content material for numerous sororities on Samford’s campus. I’ve served because the second shooter for 2 weddings since I started taking images extra severely, and final April, I shot my first solo wedding ceremony. That expertise, together with quite a few others, solidified my need to be a photographer for the remainder of my life.
Why did you need to be a part of the Samford Startup?
While I’m extra established again in my hometown of Auburn, I’m actively working to broaden my enterprise within the Birmingham metro space. Since coming to Samford, I’ve been capable of develop my clientele to Birmingham households in addition to the Samford neighborhood, however I wish to see my enterprise develop much more. Recently, I’ve been capable of work with sororitiesand fraternities on Samford’s campus and wish to additionally be capable of work with space highschool college students in addition to with UAB college students.
I needed to affix the Samford Startup as a result of I’m regularly working to develop and enhance my enterprise. My need to inform tales via images is my expertise and my calling, as a lot as any main that I might select. As I work to solidify my educational basis with a journalism and mass Communication main and normal enterprise minor, I need to take each alternative I can to develop my enterprise in order that my ardour can grow to be my job.
How has the Samford Startup program supported your enterprise?
As an getting into Samford Startup scholar, I’m trying ahead to seeing the varied ways in which my enterprise might be supported by and expanded via this system.
What has been probably the most difficult a part of launching your enterprise? How did you overcome this?
The most difficult a part of my enterprise is studying to handle slower durations whereas staying targeted and never getting overwhelmed in the course of the busy season. Additionally, I need to discover ways to market my providers most successfully and differentiate myself from the various photographers within the space. As that is my first 12 months in this system, I imagine I’ll achieve helpful perception into each of those challenges via the steering and expertise of seasoned small enterprise house owners.
How has the Samford Startup program helped you develop professionally?
As I start this system, I’m trying ahead to rising as a photographer and an entrepreneur throughout my time within the Samford Startup program.
What do you envision for your enterprise?
As a member of the Samford Startup program, I need to discover ways to mix my ardour and expertise with the talents essential to run a sustainable enterprise. Too typically, individuals begin companies with out understanding find out how to handle them, which might result in failure or make the work really feel extra like a wrestle than a pleasure. I need to be well-prepared for each the each day challenges and rewards of operating a small enterprise. Additionally, I hope to attach with established photographers within the Birmingham space and study from different small enterprise house owners. Ultimately, being a photographer and capturing somebody’s story is what I need to do with my life, and the Samford Startup program affords steering and alternatives to make that dream a actuality.
How is your enterprise redemptive in a Christ-like method?
In his e-book The God of the Mundane, Matthew Redmond says, “There is a God delighting in the ordinary existence of the unknown faithful doing unknown work.” As a photographer, my position is commonly behind the digital camera, capturing the tales of God’s youngsters. Some moments are extraordinary, whereas others are atypical, however collectively they create the tapestry of our lives. Through images, individuals can mirror on how they’ve grown, bear in mind these they’ve misplaced, and acknowledge God’s grace all through their journey. None of my images characteristic my very own face; I’m the unseen collector and recorder of those tales. I imagine God makes use of me to assist households protect their recollections and, in doing so, reveal His glory.
How do you see your organization having an affect on the Samford and Birmingham communities?
Samford has a narrative to inform, each right here in Homewood and all through the larger Birmingham neighborhood. Much of Samford’s affect comes via its college students, and I need to showcase to Birmingham, the state of Alabama, and past how outstanding Samford college students and households are. Additionally, I hope to collaborate with established photographers within the Birmingham space to offer high quality images providers to extra individuals all through town.
Why would you encourage different scholar entrepreneurs to affix this system?
The Samford Startup program provides college students the chance to discover ways to run a enterprise and achieve a deep understanding of the day-to-day realities of small enterprise possession. Learning from Dr. Matt Mazzei and different skilled entrepreneurs is an unbelievable alternative that may have a long-lasting affect on the way forward for companies that start on Samford’s campus.
Learn extra about Tanner Wages Photography
Located within the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a number one Christian college providing undergraduate applications grounded within the liberal arts with an array of nationally acknowledged graduate {and professional} faculties. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 college students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 nations in its 10 educational faculties: arts, arts and sciences, enterprise, divinity, schooling, well being professions, legislation, nursing, pharmacy and public well being. Samford is well known as having one of the crucial stunning campuses in America, that includes rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial structure. Samford fields 17 athletic groups that compete within the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest rating within the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate amongst all NCAA Division I faculties.