Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mélanie Rousselle, Founder of Shootings Gourmands, located in Vélizy-Villacoublay, France.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a food stylist and food photographer. I work mainly with brands in the food industry. I create recipes with my customers' products and styles and shoot them so they have beautiful pictures for their website, social media, or packaging. I also work with restaurants and shoot their dishes for their menu, website, or social media accounts. I also teach food photography through online courses.
Tell us about yourself
I've discovered food photography thanks to my food blog. I created this blog almost ten years ago, and back then, I knew nothing about food photography. I quickly realized that if I wanted to make people want to try a recipe, I needed beautiful pictures. On a blog, you can't make people smell or taste a recipe; the only thing you have is the text and pictures. That's why food photography is important. I was far from taking beautiful pictures when I started my food blog. So I've decided to learn by myself and invest in a DSLR. And step by step, my photos were getting better, and the more I practiced, the more I enjoyed it until it even became a passion. Now, I can say that I am passionate about food photography, and I am so grateful to make a living from it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Before I became a full-time food photographer, I was an industrial engineer, and I made a good living from it. My greatest pride is to earn as much with my passion. I was so afraid of not succeeding in making a living from food photography when I resigned from my previous job. Another big accomplishment is to have trained more than 250 students in food photography.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When you are an artist, the hardest thing is probably to know how to sell your work. All we want to do is create, create and create, but we shouldn't forget that to create, we need to have a customer willing to pay for it. So it is important to spend time and effort on marketing, communication, and building a network.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn how to sell your work/product.
- Invest in yourself every year, and don't be afraid to invest before you make any money.
- Don't give up if it is something that really resonates with you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.melanierousselle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesrecettesdemelanie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesrecettesdemelanie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mélanie-rousselle-9a7b80168/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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