Meet Trailblazer Tera Barnes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tera Barnes.

Tera, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my photography business about 15 years ago. I was a hobby photographer and grew to consider myself a true professional of my craft about ten years ago. I have photographed everything from families and children, weddings, engagements, corporate events, headshots, and boudoir. I honestly have loved it all! Each area taught me something new, and I appreciated that! I am a perpetual student! The past few years, however, I have focused mainly on weddings, high school/college grads, and boudoir photography.

I had humble beginnings. I started with an ancient Minolta film camera (which, I still have and it still works! Don’t ask me how!). I took pictures of anything and everyone I could! I can’t draw, paint, or sculpt to save my life! But, I had a desire to create! So, I gravitated to this heavily.

I later upgraded to a digital camera (thank you husband), and started taking pictures of my babies. I started to realize just how precious life is, and how fast time goes when you have children. The importance of capturing life’s greatest moments clicked for me, and I made the decision that photography was what I wanted to do forever! Being a part of someone’s life even for a short period of time is such an incredible honor. I have met fabulous people and made some life long friends along the way.

Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! Smooth? That’s a firm negative ghost rider! But then again, I tend to be the person who puts the cart waaaaay before the horse, and expects that everything will just catch up! I think many would call that being impulsive… I call it having desire and faith!

I had struggles like any business would. When I started, I charged next to nothing to build my portfolio. I needed to in order to gain experience. However, as I started to become more and more proficient, I realized that I had to charge for my services. I couldn’t be a starving artist! However, with the market being so saturated with photographers already, finding people who valued my time, experience, and product was tough. I wanted people to hire me, but I was cheating myself out of what I deserved money wise. I had to have a come to Jesus meeting with myself to seriously understand that my services are of value, and worthy of compensation! I had to believe it or no one else would!

For those who are starting out, you have to do the work. It took me a good three years to really understand how my camera worked, the correct settings, lighting, posing, editing, etc. You cannot buy a camera and call yourself a professional that day. If you do, you are only going to set yourself up for failure. My advice is to take a photography class or two to learn your camera basics, then intern with someone that has been in business for more than six years, in an area that you think may really interest you! I honestly thought I wanted to photograph newborns… but I realized I sucked at it! I really tried! I was more a Pinterest fail than a success! It just wasn’t my zone! So, I kept searching and working towards the areas I knew I was good at and would be happy doing.

Don’t let business speed bumps stop you from doing what you truly desire. You are going to mess up. You are human. When you do, be honest and do what you can to make it right. People hire you for YOU first, your talent second. If you have integrity, people will be understanding and give you the opportunity to correct it. Stay positive and learn from your mistakes. Just remember, even the most seasoned professionals get things wrong. It’s all about how you handle it.

Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. This doesn’t make you look stupid or incompetent. Quite the contrary. You can’t go into situations blind. That only leads to scary situations later. Be over prepared rather than underprepared. Never shoot a wedding or event alone and never, never, never, with only one camera! Bring extra batteries, charging stuff, flashes, snacks, socks, shoes, umbrellas for that freak storm… whatever! Be ready for the unforeseen! Always!

Lastly, have fun! No matter the shoot or situation, you are there for someone else. Put your troubles aside for a few hours and enjoy the time you have. You are going to be a part of some really incredible moments in someone’s life. Don’t ever take that for granted-no matter how small or big the session or event may be.

We’d love to hear more about Tera Barnes Photography.
I specialize in Weddings, engagements, high school/college grads, and boudoir photography. I have always been a people person! When it comes to weddings and engagements, I love hearing about how they met, the proposals (I have heard some super cool stories!), as well as their vision for their special day. I have been in the industry for quite some time now, so I know that I can provide my clients with valuable information, tips, and ideas that will make their day fluid and as stress-free as possible. I am constantly in communication with my clients, they never have to guess what I am doing, and they can always count on me.

With boudoir photography, I get the opportunity to have a bit more of a personal connection with my clients. I believe that women are such incredible creatures, but we are constantly at war with ourselves based solely on what society tells us who we should be or how we should behave. Boudoir is all about unlocking that suppressed power while getting in touch, or back in touch with your sexy side. What woman doesn’t want to feel beautiful and self-confident? It’s so cool to see my clients come in with self-doubts and leave with a whole new appreciation for themselves! It gives women permission to celebrate themselves without shame, guilt, or judgment.

Many women aren’t sure about boudoir since it’s mostly associated with lingerie, or a notion you have to have a supermodel body. You most definitely don’t have to be a model, and you totally don’t have to go bearing it all in 50 shades of grey style either! Don’t have anyone to give these pictures to? You don’t have to! This session is about you, and where you are in your life right now. I have clients who come back yearly for their birthdays, celebrating an anniversary, a divorce, having a baby! Whatever the occasion, we embrace it all!

Grads are always fun! They are so excited about this exciting adventure in their lives! This session is just for them! It is a time to document a momentous occasion in their style, their way! A chance to be totally proud of what all their hard work has brought them!

I truly believe what sets me apart from others is that I have the ability to see people in ways that they can’t see themselves. I can take a vulnerable session like boudoir, and wipe away limiting beliefs around self-confidence and self-love, and give back a part of themselves they lost along the way or even just boost it up more!

I celebrate huge milestones in people’s lives like they were my own family! I honestly couldn’t be more excited for them!

I can also be the calm in the chaos of a wedding by just being the quiet observer and anticipating what my client needs. I will be the seamstress, the florist, the tear wiper, the encourager, the ego puffer, and the drink pourer if needed. No questions asked. It’s not always about photography. It’s about showing up for others while just being a good human.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I know. The media does a really great job of focusing on the problems rather than the opportunities!

I don’t think that there are opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for. I feel that we have moved past the notion of gender-specific jobs or the idea that women would excel better in certain areas. We all have the choice to pursue whatever field or positions we want.

I do, however, feel that women carry the burden of being the glue whether they stay home and care for their family or run a multimillion dollar company. We are constantly struggling to find a balance between what we have to do, and who we are. I believe that you will see a continued rise of women-owned businesses. As we are finding more and more creative ways of managing the work and family life, the conformity of the 9-5 job just isn’t working anymore.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.terabarnesphotography.com
• Email: 4moretbpinfo@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/terabarnesphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/terabarnesphotography

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