Today we’d like to introduce you to Skyler Kroschel.
Hi Skyler, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! I’m Skyler and I grew up in Afton, MN. I’ve always had a love for cameras. (Just ask my parents about all the silly photos I’d take and videos I’d create throughout my childhood.) I took a 35mm film photography course in college and vividly remember falling in love with photographing people, specifically my parents. They would always be doing ordinary everyday activities – walking the dogs in Afton State Park, feeding the animals, making maple syrup, etc. These photos are some of my favorite images to this day and my parents have many of my college prints up on their walls at home in Afton.
Life has taken me in many directions since college. From making documentary videos in Southeast Asia to working at Montessori Schools in California, I am now running my own photography business in California’s Bay Area and couldn’t be more thrilled!
My business began during the COVID era. I was working as a Montessori classroom assistant for elementary children. I was quite lucky – I was working only a few hours a day from home, being paid full time, but still had all this extra time on my hands. So I finally took the leap and decided to start my own photography business. I literally posted on the Nextdoor app that I was looking for families willing to model for me so that I could practice my photo skills. We would meet outdoors and I’d be wearing a mask the entire time. That’s how I started practicing before I became a legal business.
In October 2020, Skyler Maire Photography became a legal business. I was still working at my school and continued working there for another year before I decided to go full-time in photography. There’s a blog post that goes into more detail about this if you’re interested in reading:
https://skylermaire.com/2020/
There have been a lot of ups and downs since I started my business. However, the experience I’ve gained over the past years has only made me more confident and excited about where my business will go! I have bigger dreams and faith that I can make them happen. For example, it has long been a dream of mine to serve clients in both California AND Minnesota. I have deep roots in Minnesota and fly home frequently to see my family and friends.
My goal is to spend at least one month in Minnesota every summer so I can enjoy more time with family and work with Minnesota clients! I had my first official client this past summer and am so excited to continue serving families and other clients in my home state (and spend more time with my parents).
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been winding and rough but an adventure all the way! Some of the most difficult parts were figuring out exactly *how* I wanted to run my photography business. For example, I began with the intention of doing IPS (in-person sales) and selling large format prints to my clients because that was the first photography course I invested in.
Eventually, I realized I didn’t want to do that. Why would I spend all this time photographing and editing this big, beautiful gallery for my clients and only give them a few images that they decide to print? It felt like such a waste and I wanted my clients to have their memories. So I switched to the “shoot and share” model which is where you deliver an online gallery of images and your client can download them all. I personally like this model much more and feel that it’s much more in alignment with me.
Beyond that, there are always ups and downs in running your own business. It is quite difficult being your boss. You can’t place the blame on anyone if something goes wrong or doesn’t get done, haha. The biggest struggle I have, honestly, is finding new clients who are the *right* clients for me. I’ve been spending a lot more time on the back end of my business recently (the business side of things rather than the creative side) to increase my reach online.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a natural light photographer who specializes in documenting organic, honest moments between loved ones. I primarily serve families, couples, seniors, and those having an intimate wedding. I am known for being easygoing and creating a fun and playful atmosphere for my clients.
I love adventure sessions and my goal during every photo session is to make it feel more like a fun family adventure rather than a formal photoshoot. If I’m working with couples, I want it to feel like a unique and playful date night (with their new third-wheel bff, me)! I encourage my clients to let loose and have a good time. If they want photos where every hand and hair are in place, I’m not the right photographer for them. But if they want photos that honestly and artistically tell their unique story, I’m the photographer for them.
I’m proud of myself for starting this business and seeing it through. It also took me a long time to truly love my work. I can still be my own worst critic and it’s hard not to compare yourself to other photographers. But I genuinely do love my work and am proud of myself for coming this far.
I am also really proud to say that Skyler Maire Photography is a Certified California Green Business! I deeply care about the environment and love using my platform to inspire others to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think more and more photographers will start offering videos in their packages.
The film is making a huge comeback as well right now. Tons of photographers are incorporating it into their packages. I also think the industry is already shifting towards more documentary-style photographic work which is cool.
My style leans heavily towards lifestyle/documentary except for my wedding photography – I tend to use a blend of documentary and posed images in my wedding photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skylermaire.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylermairephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylermairephotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyler-kroschel-1913a4a0/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skyler-maire-photography-san-francisco
