Coaching, Branding and Photography from The Red Carpet Portraits

Desiree Neville

Glamour photography brand _ Red Carpet Portraits is a VIP experience that helps women see how beautiful they really are. They go out of their comfort zone and at the same time, get an empowering boost during the photo session and when they see their portraits. With hair and makeup and a stylist on set, we collaborate with our clients to create stunning portraits that will last forever.

Headshots - Branding Portraits - helps my clients define and portray their brand in their headshots. At their consultation, we hone in on the strength of their brand, their brand message and how we will feature their brand in stunning headshots.

What was the inspiration to start this business?

My love of imagery and the Fantastic. Creating images is what I have always done. From childhood drawings evolved into photography. My childhood movies and tv shows inspired me without end like when the hero was a doll who walked right into a storybook or in The Sound of Music when they put on a play with the marionette theatre.

When you started your business, did you ever envision that you would be where you are now?

II had absolutely no idea... When I was trained as a photographer, they taught us to photograph everything. We had to be a functioning studio that photographed everything from weddings to architecture, and photojournalism to products. I had no idea that I could photograph only what I really wanted to. what really lights me up :)

Was there ever a time that things didn't fall into place, struggles, or challenges? What were they and how did you get passed it and grow from the experience?

OMG... It's a long story. I have come through several significant challenges. Having kids, having a full-time job, switching to digital from film, health issues like macular holes in both eyes and a brain aneurysm, moving twice in 3 years, COVID...

I have grown from each experience. Some challenges were more scarring than others and I have wanted to call it quits many times. But as my hubby says "you are the most persistent person I know" I kept at it. Each time more precisely defined where I wanted to go.

It feels like building from scratch every time. But I keep reminding myself of my original love. Of why I started this in the first place. I remind myself, that my best work has always been when I did it from the heart.

What was the biggest lesson you learned while starting and growing this business?

The most important thing is staying connected to the deepest part of my soul. Every time I feel like packing it in, or like others are so much better at this than me, I look inside. Why did I want to do this in the first place? What gives me joy in this business? Keeping focused on my 'why' usually brings me back to the joy of it all. If I lose that, there is no meaning in it.

What would you tell a FEM that is struggling in her business and feel like it's too difficult?

Again, I would ask Why did you want to do this in the first place?

Also, look at what is not working. Which part is feeling like a struggle? It is a lack of education/practice in your field?

It's also good to have a business coach, so you have a sounding board or someone who can see your business from the outside.

What continues to inspire you to keep on growing your business?

The fact that creating sparks my imagination and my imagination sparks new work. I mean by that, I get to live in a fantasy world when I create in the studio and I can pull from my imagination to make it come to life.

Final advice for those thinking of starting a business or looking to grow their current business?

Ask yourself: Figure out why you want this to be a business. What part of this gives you joy. Is it enough to build a business around? And is it still going to be joyful once it's a business?

Build a plan: where are you, where do you want to go and how are you going to get there?

Build a team: Have any of the following to support you. A coach, a mentor, a collaborator, or a partner.

To connect: https://www.youreyeonphoto.com/headshots

Instagram:@youreyeonphoto

Facebook: @youreyeonphoto

Recommended by: Kim Murphy

Location: Scarborough and Pickering

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