Meet Judy Host | Photographer, Educator, Lecturer, Portrait Artist

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

Hi Judy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After I graduated from college, I had a degree in Speech Communications and wasn’t quite sure where I fit into the Business World. I had to make a living so my options, I thought at the time, were limited. As much as I loved photography, which would change my life forever, I couldn’t imagine that I had the talent to make a living doing that, so I went into the banking world hoping to find my place there. Twenty years later, I still felt unfulfilled and never really fit into the Corporate mindset.

One day after meeting someone who had a successful business in Portrait Photography, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I quit my job, sold my home and car and started from scratch to create my Portrait business. It took me five years to build a business that would sustain my living expenses and I never looked back. Within two years after that the opportunities just kept rolling in. From traveling to Africa for the beginning of what would become commerce for a business in Rwanda to photographing Golden Globes Events for InStyle Magazine, I was then and still today, grateful that I had the ability to believe in myself enough to make this changes in my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a creative spirit, finding your space in this very competitive world is difficult. The uniqueness of what we do is so challenging. I think I’ve been very lucky that my boutique business model helped me create a customized look to my work. My clients were looking for something different that not everyone had. That fit so perfectly into what I wanted to create for my clients and I believe kept them coming back every year. Instead of comparing my prices to someone else’s, the comparison was about the quality of the work and the presentation.

I honestly believe that my 20 years in the corporate world prepared me for whatever would come my way in regards to how to successfully start, build, and run a business. Continued education, conferences and peers also help in discussing the ongoing concerns we have as business people. Meeting and building relationships with other business owners is also a key component to helping yourself grow in any business venture.

Having been in this business for over 25 years, if I could tell my younger self how to become more successful, I think I would say “Stop being so hard on yourself” and “Stay focused”. Success for me isn’t about how much money I’ve made, but how times I’ve fallen and gotten back up again and I have fallen a lot.

What I want most, as far as my business is concerned, is to add value. To my clients, to my passion projects, to my students and to my workshops. I believe at this stage of my life, my goal is to help as many people as I can feel good about themselves and to help them accomplish their goals. I have been blessed with so much love and kindness, I believe in my heart the more you share with others, the better life becomes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love living in Atlanta. There is so much to do and so many places to eat and shop and visit. One of the first places I like to go to is Stone Mountain. I love photographing there and enjoy some of the hiking available. Next, the museums, endless possibilities there and the Botanical Gardens along with Gibbs Gardens, another wonderful place to photograph.

Food in Atlanta is yummy. One of my new favorite places is the Alden which is located less than 4 miles from where I live. It’s relatively new and listed as one of Atlanta’s best places to eat. Another favorite place for dinner is McKendricks for the best steaks ever.

Almost every year we try to attend the Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. A favorite during the Holidays. As a Ballet photographer, this is pure joy for me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people in my life that have helped me along the way. First and foremost is my family. It’s so hard to believe in yourself when you come to the table with a set of insecurities that has taken its toll on your confidence over the years. With the help of those around you, picking you up when you fall, helping you back up again and then encouraging you to continue forward, it’s possible to do impossible. My amazing husband, who is also a wonderful portrait photographer, has not only been my main support system, but also my producer, lighting tech and photoshop teacher. My sister, who likes everything, and I mean everything I post on Facebook and Instagram continues to encourage me to produce new work.

A gentleman who is no longer with us, my only mentor of sorts, Dave Metz brought me into the world of Sigma Photo Corporation and for 8 years not only sponsored me, but continual pushed me to be a better and more technical photographer than I ever thought I could be. With his help and so many others, I feel blessed to have the energy of inspiration that I do, daily.

Website: www.judyhost.com

Instagram: judy.host@instagram

Facebook: judyhost@Facebook.com

Image Credits
All images are mine