Q&A with Trishann Couvillion of Fire Eyes Photography

Part Two: An interview with Trishann Couvillion of Fire Eyes Photography is part of an ongoing series called Spotlight on Home-Based Business Owners: Lessons from Entrepreneurs. The Seattle Home-based Business Examiner seeks to provide you with a variety of lessons learned from a range of business owners that will benefit any reader seeking information about starting or growing a home-based business in the Seattle area or elsewhere in the United States.

Trishann Couvillion is the owner of Fire Eyes Photography based in Seattle, WA. Read how she turned her enthusiasm for photography into a successful business that makes it possible for her to travel worldwide. (Read the first article in this series: Meet Trishann Couvillion of Fire Eyes Photography.)

Why did you choose to start your own business?

I was studying for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in photojournalism and documentary photography at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. During my time in school, I realized that photography was very personal and allowed me to share my own unique perspective. I wanted my approach to be as hands-on and self guided as possible. I realized that freelancing was what I aspired to do. I have the opportunity to work with the best clients who are a great fit for my style of photographic work.

When did you start your business?

I officially started Fire Eyes Photography in June of 2003. If you include my education and prior photography experience, I have been working in photography since 1993.

What did you do before you became a business owner?

I was a student working various jobs, mostly waiting tables at night in San Francisco, so I could have cash each day to buy all the photographic and darkroom supplies I needed for my curriculum. Being artistic can be insanely expensive! After graduation, I worked full-time as a medical photographer for retina surgeons in San Francisco as well. I enjoy the science aspect combined with photography, but that was enough to make me realize I really wanted to start freelancing full-time. I do, however, have a current contract with a Seattle hospital doing the same type of medical photography when they need me. It keeps me engaged in scientific photography and provides some great variety to my work. I have a creative profession, but I am also rather linear in my thinking, so a photojournalistic approach and scientific photography are great fits for my talents.

How did your prior work and life experiences prepare you for starting your own business?

I was a very independent person from a young age and always knew I wanted to work for myself. It’s tough to please other people, especially with a very creative spirit and independent personality. I’ve designed a t-shirt I wear that says: "Doesn’t work well for others." It literally fits me to a tee. I knew I had something unique to offer and a lot of schooling and training that has helped me become an expert in my field. I want to share that perspective with my clients, and I know they trust my eye, photographic style, and the quality I provide them.

What products or services does your business provide?

My work is mostly people photography. That includes all events, big and small, such as corporate events, business events, photojournalistic style wedding photography, portraits, engagement sessions, couples, families, maternity, children, and even people and their pets. I also do photo restoration and retouching. I love looking at and repairing old family photographs for my clients and I always want to hear the family history behind the photos. Decades from now I want my clients to truly treasure the moments I captured for them in photographs.

What did it take to get your business started?

At first, it was challenging because I couldn’t think of a name for my business. I thought about it for over a year and wasn’t happy with any of the ideas. They didn’t feel right. Finally, one night as I was about to fall asleep I had a vision of a girl with her hair blowing wildly and fire in her eyes. I jumped up and yelled out, "That’s it!" I knew Fire Eyes Photography was to be the name of my company. After naming my business, it was relatively easy. I invested in good equipment, Canon cameras, mobile lighting units, and Mac computers. I had the photographic skills, but needed to jump into the digital age. I was also advised while in school that if you’re going to work for yourself, it’s worthwhile to hire a great accountant right from the start, so I did.

Are the reasons why you started your business playing out for you? What are some benefits of owning your own business?

Yes, I knew I wanted to bring my unique style to my clients and also have the freedom and flexibility to photograph my own projects, which require a fair amount of travel. It’s important to me to make my own schedule. Some other benefits to running my own business are that I have final say in everything from my marketing ideas to which clients I really want to work with to my deadlines.

I have to continually keep myself on course, but I love my work so I keep at it. One great benefit has been the photographic documentary on blues music that I have been photographing since 2000. This project has taken me to cities like New Orleans, Memphis, Clarksdale, Chicago, and New York. I also photograph the blues music scene here on the west coast. I hope to find a book publisher this year who falls in love with my project and helps to publish the first book of the series by the end of 2010.

What obstacles did you face along your journey and how did you overcome them?

I continually face the challenge of getting a little blocked when trying to formulate new ideas. I do best when I brainstorm with others. When I am not able to bounce ideas off somebody, things can get a bit stagnant. Luckily, I have some great friends and colleagues that I rely on to discuss different ideas. Sometimes I just need a fresh perspective from someone who hasn’t over-thought the process.

What are your responsibilities?

I do all of my own photography for my clients. They hire me because of the quality they expect and my unique vision. I also personally edit all of my work and prep it for my clients.

I take care of the backend of the business as well—everything that comes with running a business and providing service for clients such as marketing, bookkeeping, organizing, billing, etc. It’s all up to me. There is a lot to juggle and it can be very challenging and overwhelming at times, but I also can’t imagine not having my finger on the pulse of where my business is at all times. If I could clone myself, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate!

What are some of the ongoing problems/risks with running your business?

There is always the risk that if I don’t continue to be a part of the social fabric of my communities, my business will not continue to grow. Personal referrals and face-to-face meetings with potential clients make up most of my business. I am involved with various groups and organizations in Seattle and San Francisco and I spend quite a bit of time attending social and professional events. If I start to pull back, I notice it in my business. I know there will come a time when it is absolutely necessary for me to rely on others to help run my business. Hiring the right person will be challenging, but hopefully, greatly rewarding as well.

Do you enjoy your work and why?

Yes, I truly love what I do. Photography is creative and it captures our legacies. As I am taking photographs, I think about the images that people are excited to keep as a part of their lives. These are moments in time that may never happen again. Children grow up quickly; couples go from being engaged to being married and raising families; companies grow and prosper and to photograph their growth is really rewarding.

Do you have a business partner or employees? Are there certain qualities you look for in a business partner/employee?

No, I don’t have any employees or business partners. I have thought about it, but my photographic style is unique enough that it’s best I take care of my clients myself. I’m sure there will come a time when I will need to hire great people to help me run my business though.

What have been the most valuable business tools or resources in starting and growing your business?

Resources are so important to the growth of my business. I find that working with the Small Business Administration and Bellevue Chamber of Commerce (find a Chamber of Commerce near you) has allowed me access to senior business owners and lawyers at no cost who provide invaluable advice and direction for the growth of my business. I’m really grateful as a sole proprietor to have people to turn to for guidance. I was in business for a while before I learned of these services. I would advise anyone thinking of going into business to start off on the right foot and contact these agencies.

I continually educate myself by doing research on progress in my field and how to better serve my clients. I also attend worldwide conferences where photographers meet and share insight. These events help me to stay abreast of what is happening and advancing in my industry.

What top three tips useful suggestions would you give to a new business owner?

Hire a good, trustworthy accountant.

Find community organizations like the Small Business Administration to use as a resource.

Keep it simple. How you run your business is important, because it can either take all of your time, or you can simplify the business aspect and focus on the type of work you actually do. Balance the time you spend on growing your business with the time you spend actually doing business.

What sets your business apart from other businesses in your industry?

Offering one-on-one service to my clients is invaluable. At a time where you have to go through multiple prompt screens just to get someone on a telephone with big companies, I value that all my clients can reach me on my cell phone at anytime. I am the one who takes care of them from the moment they walk in the door until we have finished their photo shoot and they have all they need from me. I take the time to stay in touch and make sure I’m there when they need me or when a big life event arises for them. Being a one-stop shop for everything photographic from taking their photos, printing and enlarging, even framing is how I provide great service to my clients.

I guarantee satisfaction with my service and if it’s not perfect, I’ll remedy it immediately.

If you were not a business owner, what would you be doing?

Wow, great question! I honestly can’t imagine what would make me happier than being a freelance photographer. I have thought about being a surgeon. Medicine fascinates me and has many good challenges.

How do you balance work and personal life? Do you incorporate "self" time into your schedule?

My experience working 24/7 forced me to learn how to balance work and life when I became overwhelmed working so much. I wasn't exercising or taking any time for myself. I worked with a business coach who helped me realize that it was OK to drop those activities that weren't working for me. When you own your own business, it's difficult to stop working, but it's important to reach a point when you don't feel guilty for taking time out to watch a movie or spend time with family and friends.

What are your favorite personal growth and business development books?

I have read a variety of business books, but value and benefit more from one-on-one conversation through a business coach, Small Business Administration advisors, and other business contacts with whom I can bounce ideas off.

What are your favorite photography-related books?

I greatly enjoy photo books by documentary photographers including Girl Culture by Lauren Greenfield, The Knife and Gun Club: Scenes from an Emergency Room by Eugene Richards, Seen Behind the Scene by Mary Ellen Mark, and The Americans by Robert Frank and Jack Kerouac.

Contact Trishann Couvillion, Fire Eyes Photography

You can reach Trishann Couvillion at Fire Eyes Photography for details and complimentary custom quotes through Couvillion's website, email, or by calling (415) 425-2733. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or view her blog for samples of her work.

Read the first article in this series: Meet Trishann Couvillion of Fire Eyes Photography.

If you liked this article, here are other articles you might enjoy:

Spotlight on Home-Based Business Owners: Lessons from Entrepreneurs

A home-based business: What's the attraction?

Establish your home-based business identity in seven steps

Personal growth, development, and continued learning: Why are they so important?

The link between personal development and business growth

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Charmin Calamaris is a wife, mom of two little boys, entrepreneur, publisher and editorial director for The Momiverse—an online magazine for busy moms—and a writer for Examiner.com. Here she shares tips and experience about working from home as a way to earn more, maximize quality time in your relationships, and create a rewarding lifestyle. You can connect with Charmin in her "online office" on Twitter.