Meet Lisa Langell of Langell Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Langell.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lisa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I never would have imagined, as an 8-year-old kid from Marine City, Michigan, who loved nature and her Kodak 126mm Instamatic, that I’d someday own my own wildlife photography business, run workshops and tours, meet thousands of incredible people, and have some of the most powerful experiences with nature that I’ve had on this truly fascinating journey as a photographer.

I currently live in Scottsdale, Arizona; however, my passion started for me with my incredible great Aunt Josephine James, who taught me about birds. When I was 14 (1986), Canon A-1 (35mm) in hand, we traveled to Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada for the world renown spring bird migration. We saw over 100 species in one day! The tiny, colorful warblers were my favorite. I drooled at not only the birds, but the many nature photographers with their “long lenses.” I distinctly remember thinking, “I want to DO that someday!” That started my story and my journey…

Photography and birding were hobbies since age eight. During college and graduate school, I temporarily put the camera and darkroom aside, but I then moved to digital photography in 2007 and have pushed myself forward ever since that time.

I worked for 15 years as a psychologist and international consultant in the field of education, learning, and special education. I loved the profession, yet photography always beckoned. In 2011 I set up my part-time photography business. I loved helping kids with disabilities—and building my photography business–but gradually my happiness and quality of life became deeply impacted by the stress of simultaneously building two very different and demanding careers.

It was time to be brave…

After great thought, I ultimately put trust in myself, took the leap, and in 2015 I began working full-time for my photography business. Though the income level is different, the rewards have been plentiful and I absolutely do not regret my decision. It has been an amazing, fulfilling journey.

Has it been a smooth road?
Developing a nature photography and tour/workshop business has definitely been full of challenges. It’s a saturated industry with few females doing what I am doing! It takes time and dedication, honesty and a strong passion to build a loyal following of people who love the experiences that I bring to them. It definitely didn’t happen overnight, but it is indeed happening!

I left a high-paying career several years ago to pursue my business. It was sometimes very difficult financially, but I kept pushing forward and every year I can see growth!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Langell Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in providing specialty nature photography instruction, workshops, and tours across the USA and internationally!

I am known for my expertise, passion, and exceptional service for my clients and customers. My services are distinct from the fierce competition in three key ways:

1. Knowing how to teach: As a former educational psychologist, I spent 20 years researching and understanding how people learn. I have brought all of that experience into my photography classes and workshops. It is definitely an advantage over the competition. My clients tell me that they love learning through me because I truly know how to teach—and I make it fun! I’m thrilled because I can see real growth in the quality of their work.

2. Truly Unique Workshops, Tours & Classes: Different is better! Whether I’m teaching locally or leading a workshop 2,000 miles away, I seek the unique. My workshops offer creative topics, locations, experiences and photographic adventures that break from the standard over-photographed, overcrowded, elbow-to-elbow workshop locations. I do my research and provide stunning opportunities for nature photography where we are often some of the only people in that location. Photography workshops are not just about the picture. They are about the whole experience. When participants have peace, laughter, creative space, great accommodations, abundant support, and can connect better with nature, it shows in the quality of their work.

3. I care. A lot. I genuinely care about my clients’ happiness and well-being. I never stop learning, pushing boundaries, researching and creating so that I can offer new images, techniques and positive, joyful experiences for everyone. My tours are unique from anything else out there! They aren’t just destination-style classes. They are truly one-of-a-kind total experiences that help participants create not only images, but incredible memories!

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Photography is changing rapidly! The skills people need to know to take beautiful images changes each year. In some ways it becomes easier with the advent of iPhones and automation. In other ways, it becomes more challenging through ever-evolving gear, new trends, processing techniques, and–for nature photographers–an annual, compounded loss of habitat in which to find nature and wildlife.

Over the next 5-10 years, I see automation making photography easier, technique-wise. It will precipitate greater challenges–and opportunities–to invent new styles, approaches and looks! Regardless, people will always want memorable experiences when they take a class or travel to a destination. My goal is to always provide them with opportunities to learn and do things they could never do any other way than through my workshops and tours.

Pricing:

• Online / webinar-style live classes range from $0 – $9
• Local classes and workshops typically range from $45 – $99
• Regional and national workshops and classes range from $499 and up

Contact Info:

• Address: Langell Photography, LLC
  9393 N. 90th Street
  Ste 102-319
  Scottsdale, AZ 85258
• Website: http://www.langellphotography.com
• Phone: 6023450883
• Email: lisa@langellphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/langellphoto/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisalangell
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/langellphoto
• Other: http://www.youtube.com/langellphotography

Image Credit:
Lisa Langell

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