Meet LINDA MILLS: Wedding & Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with LINDA MILLS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LINDA, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I am a planner fanatic! Even in the age of digital everything, I love a paper planner. I use it to keep track of everything both for my business and personal life. I take at least 30 minutes each day to do a “brain dump” to make sure that I write everything down that is outstanding or might need my attention or followup. Then I block off time on my calendar to get things done. Execution is so important. It doesn’t matter how well you plan if you don’t take the next step and execute on that plan. I read a book called “The 5am Club” by Robin Sharma and it changed my life. I now wake up daily at 5am to get a jump start on my day. That first hour of the day is used for exercise, planning for the day and doing some sort of learning whether it be practicing a language, reading a book on business or watching a photography tutorial.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a photographer, it can feel like there are a ton of photographers around doing the same thing you are doing. So I have worked hard to set myself apart not only by the quality of my photos but with the experience that I create. The passion that I put into my sessions and weddings sets me apart. I want my clients to have an experience that they fall in love with. Because of this, I get glowing testimonials, repeat customers and lots of referrals from previous clients.

I started off my photography career with shooting high school sports and that has now morphed into weddings. I love the challenge of catching the moment in the blink of an eye and sports and weddings give me that feeling. It is a moment that can not be recreated so you have to be ready every minute. While some think this is stressful, I absolutely live for this and am very proud of.

Throughout my photography journey, there have been moments where I have experienced burnout or a creative rut. In those moments, I try to refocus on the “why” behind what I do. I love the responses I get when a bride sees her photos the first time or when I get a text that they watched their wedding highlight film and cried. My job is not to just snap photos and edit all day. My job is to capture their memories with my creative eye that will help them relive their moments over and over again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorites spots in Atlanta for fun and for photo opportunities are at Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botannical Garden, Centennial Park and Ponce City Market to eat to hearts out. You can’t stop in Atlanta without seeing some of the historic sites like the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Kendall Mills, is my number one supporter! He actually bought me my first professional camera and has been with me pushing me along the way. When I told him I wanted to go full time with my business he gave me his full support. He let me know right away that he believed in my vision and would do whatever it took to ensure I was successful. That support wasn’t just words. He showed it in his actions when he became my assistant and videographer. He is with me at every session helping with lighting, directing large wedding parties and shooting my behind the scenes and capturing video content. He has nicknamed himself “The Lightman” since he is always carrying my lighting equipment.

Even when I have a little doubt slide in, he always encourages me and gives me solid advice.

Entrepreneurship has it’s ups and downs and it is so important to have someone in your corner as your cheerleader and advisor and I am lucky to have all of this in my life partner!

Website: www.lindamillsphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lindamillsphotography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lindamillsphotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCHJj4du65CEub_COAM3pTg

Image Credits
Linda Mills Photography