Meet Melanie Beddow | Family & Newborn Photographer

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

Hi Melanie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I would definitely say the key to my success is client satisfaction. The world of marketing is on an evolving trajectory, and in my experience, no amount of paid advertising goes quite as far as the words of a satisfied client. The biggest chunk of my client base has been gained through positive word of mouth. I can’t say enough about how creating a satisfying client experience has not only grown my business, but shaped the direction of my brand. By prioritizing client satisfaction within my brand, I have created a group of local clients who seek out and champion my brand to the community. My brand is something they desire and promote organically in a sea of many photographers that they could possibly chose from.

Plain and simple. Without happy clients, I would have no one left to photograph.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a natural light Family and Newborn Photographer servicing the Northwest corner of the Houston area.
My vision is to capture the same images that I would want someone to capture for me. Timeless, simple and realistic images that you want to be printed. Photos that are more than a ‘photo dump’ on social media. I desire to capture things that will be pulled out of a frame or a box one or two generations into the future and hold rich and deep meaning and value. Images where you can reminisce about the people in the photo and the stage of life the were in right at that exact moment.

In my nearly 4 years of business, I would say what helped me overcome obstacles and challenges to running a business is the community of photogs and other small business owners. We really do look out for one another and are each others cheerleaders.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, a night out on the town (or in this case a week) consists of nothing much more than food and each other’s company. One of my favorite local resteraunts would be Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen in The Woodlands. Their calamari and lobster ravioli are absolutely to die for. Plus, you can finish off with some decadent, but light beignets. Second, I would absolutely have to hit up Jus’ Mac in the heights. Macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs in your own personal cast iron skillet in just about any flavor concoction you could ever want. Personally, I go for the buffalo chicken mac and cheese! Once you win me over with some good food, all I need is the company of some good friends and maybe a board game or two to have a good time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would LOVE to shoutout my local photog community! While yes, we are competitors in the industry, I have made friends through the photography community who have poured into me. It has really made the industry a more supportive and friendly place to be.

My first inspiration and photog bestie is Courtney Moore of Courtney Moore Photography. She was in business way before I was and coached me through the start up and first few year of my business. Without her I probably would not have had the guts to make the jump into entrepreneurship.

Second would be someone I met through the photog community and that is Layne Little of The Rosemary Hen. We are in different parts of the industry, but she has been a wealth of knowledge. She someone I can’t bounce ideas off of, and she is always willing to invest in other photogs so we can better the industry together.

Website: www.melbphoto.com

Instagram: @melbeddowphoto

Facebook: www.facebook.com/melbeddowphoto

Image Credits
Black and White Headshot photographed by Courtney Moore