From Yellowstone to a Thriving Photography Legacy: The Inspirational Journey of Jon and Lindsay Betz
Can you please share a brief history about your photography business? What motivated you to start this venture?
Jonathan had a very unique experience during his college years working a summer job at Yellowstone National Park. He was mentored one-on-one by a professional photographer who developed his eye for light and gave Jon all the foundations of photography. Jon had traded his snow skis for “collateral” to borrow a film camera from a wedding photographer he knew from his church. He returned from that summer with a newfound calling on his life.
That led to self-study and practice, which eventually resulted in his first full-time professional job as a photographer for a large wedding and portrait studio in St. Louis. During his time with the studio, he mentored under five different Master Photographers, gaining expertise in portrait lighting and posing, and honing his craft behind the camera. He benefited from seeing all the components of a successful studio, from scheduling and booking to the sessions, sales, and order delivery.
When we married in 2004, we set a goal to live in the mountains and a dry climate within two years. Lindsay knew Jon would launch his own portrait studio in that new city. Early on in the planning for this move and business, Jon invited Lindsay into this business venture to manage the studio side. We both see clearly how our partnership in marriage and the benefit of each of our respective skill sets and strengths have been key to our business success. We know that having a shared vision and deep investment in our business drives much of our strength and success.
What kind of challenges did you face when building up your portfolio or setting up your studio? How did you overcome these challenges?
For every new business, you face the challenges of getting known in your market, managing cash flow, and giving your business the necessary time to stand on its own before it can support you and your family. We weren’t building a price-competitive business; we were creating a custom experience portrait art business. We knew that would take more time to cultivate the client base that wanted more than just a photographer.
To give our business the time it needed, we worked side jobs for the first three years to support our family until the business was generating enough to fully replace (and soon exceed) the pay from those jobs. That allowed us to grow slowly but with the right foundation. We also committed to remaining debt-free and growing at the speed of cash.
That meant each new level of business growth required us to set the related financial goal and save the funds before making the purchase. When you do not introduce debt into your business, you eliminate the risk that sinks too many businesses. As our business grew, all that growth was built on solid foundations, fueling us forward in our business refinement.
Could you describe the early days of your business? What were the initial reactions and feedback you received?
Again, we were building a business to last, one client at a time. We therefore focused on serving each client who chose us with our very best—the best images through Jon’s craft, the highest quality finished prints and products, and the best service we could provide. We’ve grown immensely in all these aspects of our business over the years, yet we are immensely proud of our early client work and experience. We knew that if we gave our best to the client in front of us, it would naturally lead to more and more clients. Be faithful to the little, and you’ll find yourself receiving more.
How did you manage to grow and expand your business? What strategies did you use to attract more clients?
Our growth has been wholly organic. It is one client having a great experience and telling others, replicating that hundreds of times each year for the 18 years we have been in business. It’s been the benefit of longevity in business and years of blogging client sessions that built the online content to rank well in internet searches. And a whole lot of trusting God to bring us the clients He has for us to serve in our business.
How has your business performed financially over the years? Can you share some milestones or achievements in terms of revenue?
The biggest financial milestones we are most proud of includes having built strong financial sustainability into our business through emergency funds and retained earnings; paying cash for the creation of our dedicated studio building on our one-acre property; and paying off our home, all from our photography business. We are living the lifestyle we sought to have, which includes enjoying a healthy amount of travel throughout the year. We truly feel blessed and are immensely grateful to support our family and life goals through full-time photography.
What are some key lessons you've learned along your entrepreneurial journey? Is there anything you would do differently if given a chance?
Looking back, we credit two main choices as the source of much of the success we have experienced. First, choosing to build and run our business without debt, growing at the speed of cash. Second, refusing to have a “Plan B.” When we were moving to Colorado Springs and telling people about our plan to build this photography business, we were asked countless times by family and friends, “What’s your ‘Plan B’?” We committed to Plan A, which meant we were determined and willing to sacrifice to make our dream into our reality. We gave ourselves no room for excuses and no room for an “out.”
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start their own photography business?
Your craft and quality of imagery obviously matters, but it will ultimately be how well you structure and run your business that will bring success or failure. If your business lacks profitability and never builds sustainability, you will either have an expensive and time-consuming hobby or a business that risks closure when times get tough. And realize that successful businesses are not born overnight. It will take 1-3 years to build that initial client base and see the volume of clients begin to appear. Be ready to put in the effort and sacrifice in the beginning years – you invest sweat equity and patience in the beginning before seeing the rewards take hold. Be faithful to give your best to each client and focus most on the client in front of you.
Jon and Lindsay Betz, a dynamic duo in photography, built a thriving business through their creative partnership, dedication, and a shared vision for excellence.
About Jon and Lindsay
- Country: United States
Specializes in
- Family Photography, Portrait Photography, Studio Photography
Quote
Be faithful to the little and you'll find yourself receiving more.
