Meet Lorraine from Amazing You Portraits

Tell us about your Business

My business is called Amazing You Portraits. It is about empowering people, especially women in particular and giving them a photography experience of glamour and transformation. It is about finding their inner beauty and celebrating the amazing person they are.

Why and when did you start your own business?

I have been doing photography for almost 8 years now but initially started part time with my pet portrait photography business, Pitter Patter Photography. I then went full time sign Pitter Patter Photography and have been in business full time for the past 4 years.

I started Amazing You Portraits last year and launched in November of 2016. I decided I wanted to allow people to celebrate beyond the amazing people they are and wanted to compliment Pitter Patter Photography with another outlet and genre of photography.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

Probably my Amazing and wonderful friends Beck and Ken Drake, Steve Saporito and Kelly Vanyai. As well as a number of amazing and wonderful friends both in and out of photography. Their support has meant the world to me and continues to keep me going.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

It sounds like a cliche, but never give up and stay true to yourself. Hold on to your boundaries and don’t allow others to talk you out of what your heart tells you to do. If you love what you do and do what you love you will always be successful.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

Facebook Ads have worked as well past clients referrals and simply getting out there.

What is one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

Always stay true to yourself. Write down your values, goals and also remember to celebrate your achievements.
Set yourself up and plan for the year ahead. Break it down in chunks and wet the tasks at hand well for the new year in around October the year before. You’ll have a lot more success with achieving your tasks at hand by planning ahead.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?

For photography, one of the best programs I am a part of is Intuition to Succeed.
They help guide you on how you can improve and run a successful photography business.
An awesome Accountant will always be able to guide you in your business and help you achieve your financial goals by keeping a close eye on your business, advising you and keeping you up to date with relevant information. My gorgeous Accountant, Zelda Ibis of Zibis and Co. has done this for me.

Do you have any new projects coming up?

Yes, I sure do. We will be celebrating the launch of Amazing You Portraits by having a Facebook special offer that will include an indulgence for anyone who takes this offer up. Stay tuned for details. You can go to www.facebook.com/amazingyouportraits where further details will be posted in the next week.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

I love getting my camera out and taking photos of our gorgeous fur babies, Miss Maya and Master Blaze. Maya will be 11 years old in March and is a beautiful fluffy black & white Alaskan Malamute. Blaze is 4 years old and full of character and personality. He’s also an Alaskan Malamute with a tiny bit of husky in him.
I also love listening to music and writing.

What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Patience is definitely a big one for me and one I think should be present in any business. All too often I want to be further ahead than I am. I am then reminded that I am exactly where I need to be at any given point in my career and life.

Staying true to yourself. Don’t let others talk you either into or out of things that you hold true to your heart.

Be authentic. No one does you better than you. We are each individuals who have our own personalities. We can look up to others but always remain your true authentic self.

What fears have you faced in business? Have you overcome it/them? How do you manage fear?

As funny as it may sound, the fear of being successful. Meditation, kinesiology, taping technique and other amazing and wonderful friends have always helped me stay grounded. A good support group will always help you and has helped guide me through the years.

What are your top 5 goals you want to achieve by the end of 2017?

I want to help raise awareness for women who have been subjected to domestic violence.
Go to America and visit some of my gorgeous friends.
Attend a photography workshop in Hawaii.
Help raise funds for Australian Wildlife.
Take my fur babies to the studio for their very own photography shoot!

What makes you happy?

Helping others is my ultimate joy. Allowing others to see their inner beauty and giving them an experience they will not only enjoy but will remember for years to come.

Have you had to make any sacrifices whilst running your business? If so, what are they?

Time runs out very quickly when you’re in business for yourself. The days seem to go faster and there’s always something left for the next day. Spending time with my family doesn’t always happen when I want it to so I have had to sacrifice family time at times.

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most and why?

Zibis and co. My gorgeous Accountant Zelda has been a huge help in my businesses. She has helped guide me in the right direction and continues to keep my up to date.

Intuition To Succeed: Steve Saporito and Kelly Vanyai have guided me and giving me unlimited support. They have believed in me and shown me that dreams really do come true.

Zoo Studio: Beck and Ken are amazing at what they do. They have shown me how to create an amazing business and have been truly amazing friends and mentors.

Emotive Images, Brisbane: Louise Williams has been an inspiration to me. She has a unique and wonderful way with people and is truly a gorgeous friend.

Where you see yourself and your business in 2-5 years?

I see myself and my business being able to help support more charities and causes and being able to show people how truly special they are.
I would love to run more photography experiences for women who have been subjected to domestic violence and to also help raise more awareness for the plight of Australian Wildlife.

What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favourite book?)

Tony Robbins books and videos. In particular, Awaken The Giant Within. Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
Wayne Dyer: especially the movie The Shift. The Shift: Taking Your Life from Ambition to Meaning
Doreen Virtue – Don’t Let Anything Dull Your Sparkle: How to Break Free of Negativity and Drama

How do you measure your success in business?

By looking at how far I have come each year. Each year marks a fresh start. I look at my financials and I also look at my mindset. I also have a look through all the goals I set and see which ones I achieved and which ones I didn’t. The ones I may not have achieved, I look and assess why and I reset that as a goal for the next year.
I also celebrate the ‘wins,’ and achievements. And last but not least, I always do a random act of kindness to a person or people who may not know me or who can never do anything for me. This has always been my ‘mantra’ for personal success which in turn helps me in my business success.

Where is your dream destination to go for a holiday and why?

Dream destination is Bora Bora, Tahiti. The crystal clear waters, the sun and relaxation looks absolutely amazing. I’d love to stay in one of those beach huts with a glass section in the room to feed the fish

What is your favourite inspirational quote you?

“Your life is controlled by what you focus on.” – Tony Robbins

What are your top 5 business tips?

1. Stay true to yourself
2. Remember where you started from.
3. Don’t forget the people who helped you.
4. Plan for the year ahead.
5. Always be grateful for what you have, what is given to you, who is in your life and the opportunities you have.