Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Poseley
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve had a camera in my hands for as long as I can remember—starting with little disc film cameras and later moving to Nikon and Leica. For years, I shot exclusively on film and was reluctant to switch to digital, but about ten years ago, I finally did—and now I love it.
After college, I moved to New York City and worked in graphic design, but photography was always my passion. I took every opportunity to travel, capturing life in Europe, Cuba, Asia, and South America through my lens.
Then 9/11 happened. At the time, I had just saved up enough to take a year off to work for a well-known Magnum photographer, but he couldn’t pay me in the end. After witnessing the attacks firsthand, I felt compelled to do something. I spent the entire recovery effort at Ground Zero, running a tent canteen we called the Hard Hat Café through the Salvation Army. It was considered an active crime scene, and very few people were allowed to photograph, but the workers trusted me. They loved that I was documenting everything—it meant something to them to have those moments captured.
Eventually, I returned to Minneapolis, but I never really considered photography as a career. That changed after I became a mother—my greatest achievement. I have the most amazing twin girls, and they completely reshaped my perspective. I started shifting from documentary and street photography to family and newborn photography, drawn to the deep emotional connections between parents and their children.
I formally launched my photography business in 2017, and just as it was hitting its stride, the pandemic happened. It was tough—not just for my business, but also because I was homeschooling for over a year. Like so many small business owners, I had to pivot and adapt.
Photography keeps me constantly learning and growing, and I love that it’s never boring. Over the years, I’ve had great mentors who shaped my journey, and now I enjoy passing along that knowledge by teaching and mentoring other photographers. The path hasn’t always been straightforward, but it’s been mine—and I wouldn’t trade it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any road worth taking is entirely smooth, and mine definitely hasn’t been. Photography has always been a huge part of my life, but making it a career wasn’t something I pursued right away. When I finally did, there were plenty of challenges along the way.
One of the biggest early struggles was simply starting over. I had spent years as a documentary and street photographer, but shifting into studio and family photography was an entirely different world. Learning the business side, pricing my work appropriately, and building a client base took time. I had to develop new skills, not just in photography, but in marketing, branding, and running a business.
Then the pandemic hit. My business was just hitting its stride in 2019, and by early 2020, everything came to a halt. It was a tough time—not just because work slowed down, but because I was also homeschooling my kids for over a year. Balancing being a full-time mom and running a business was exhausting, but I kept adapting. That’s the thing about photography—you’re always learning, always pivoting.
Another ongoing challenge is that photography is an industry where trends change constantly, and it can be easy to feel pressure to follow what everyone else is doing. But I’ve found that staying true to my style and my approach to storytelling is what keeps my work fulfilling.
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. I love what I do, and the struggles have only made me better at it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in family, newborn, maternity, and milestone photography, creating timeless, beautifully retouched images. My approach blends classic portraiture with the authenticity I developed as a documentary photographer. I want my clients to have a seamless experience from start to finish, which is why I’ve put systems in place—online scheduling, CRM tools, prep guides—to make the process easy and stress-free.
One thing that sets me apart is my background. My years as a documentary photographer trained me to anticipate moments and work in any situation, while my time as a freelance graphic designer gave me an eye for composition and storytelling. That experience translates into how I work with clients—I’m at ease behind the camera, and that helps them relax and enjoy the process.
I also truly care about my clients. It’s not just about taking pictures; it’s about creating something meaningful for them. That’s why I put in the work behind the scenes—perfecting my posing, refining my lighting, and constantly improving my craft. Photography is always evolving, and I love that there’s always more to learn.
One moment that has always stuck with me was when a man I photographed at Ground Zero later passed away (unrelated to the site). His family reached out to me and asked if they could use one of my photos at his funeral because they felt it truly captured his personality. That was the moment I realized what my work is really about. It’s not just about taking a good photo—it’s about preserving who someone is, their relationships, their love, and their story. That understanding carries through every session I do today.
What I’m most proud of? Beyond my work itself, it’s the relationships I build with my clients. Seeing families come back year after year, watching their children grow, and knowing I’ve created something they’ll treasure forever—that’s what makes this all worth it.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve found that, in general, photographers are incredibly generous with their knowledge. This industry has a strong community of people who genuinely want to see others succeed, and I’ve benefited from that along the way.
I’ve had mentors for very specific things—whether it was pricing, posing, or refining my workflow. Early on, I took online courses from photographers I admired, which helped me build a strong foundation. One mentor I’ve worked with a lot is Ana Brandt. Newborn photography, when done well, is not easy—it takes skill, training, and a lot of practice. She’s been an incredible resource for me over the years, and now that she’s retiring, I’m honored to be one of her international certified trainers.
I also found Click Photo School to be a great resource early on. It’s a supportive community where photographers can learn, share, and get feedback, and it’s a great place to grow, no matter where you are in your photography journey.
More than anything, though, I owe a lot to my clients. Their trust in me, their referrals, and their continued support have allowed me to grow my business into what it is today. I also have an incredible support system—family, friends, and other photographers who have cheered me on through the ups and downs.
My advice to any photographer starting out? Take classes, invest in mentoring with photographers you admire, and never stop learning.
Pricing:
- Full Photography Sessions – Sessions start at $1,200 and include a seamless experience from booking to image delivery.
- Mini Sessions from $350 – Limited seasonal mini sessions are offered throughout the year, including Santa, holiday, and milestone sessions.
- Headshot Photography – Mini headshot sessions start at $250, with longer, custom sessions starting at $350.
- Custom Artwork & Prints – Clients have access to high-quality prints, albums, and wall art to preserve their images beautifully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisaposeley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaposeleyphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaposeleyphoto/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@newbornphotographer
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisaposeleyphoto
