Small Business Spotlight – Northwest Foto
As small business specializing in small business support, Virtual Office Admins is always looking to share and learn more from other small businesses. We know our story, but what about your other favorite main street business? What is their story? To learn more about small businesses and their owner, we will bring you a small business spotlight here and there.
Today, we focus our first small business spotlight on Portland, Oregon photographer, Greg Wytcherley. Greg, a native Oregonian with a love for the outdoors and a keen eye, founded his company, Northwest Foto, as a way to share his passion for photography with a broader audience. We spoke with Greg about the development, experiences and future of his business and learned that at the bottom line; it’s all about passion you have for your business.
Virtual Office Admins: Describe Northwest Foto, Greg.
Greg Wytcherley: My business is one that sprouted from my everyday love of photography. Inspiring others through my work is what gets me out there shooting my camera. If it is taking shots of a new bride, a new family, or a new way to look at something beautiful, that’s what I enjoy the most. I try to be flexible and affordable with people so it isn’t a complicated ordeal. I think most people just don’t want to deal with the hassle of scheduling a photo shoot with someone that isn’t flexible and then not having the photos turn out very good.
VOA: What inspired you to start your business?
GW: I was asked by lots of people, “why don’t you do this as a business?” Mostly, it was to help with our income to get my wife through nursing school and to keep my passion of photography going. Equipment is not cheap and to get paid for what you love to do is a win to me.
VOA: Describe a day in the life of Northwest Foto.
GW: If I have a photo shoot that day, I will make sure I have fresh batteries for my camera, empty memory cards, correct lenses for the shoot, and the proper bag for the job. If I’m not shooting then I’m editing a previous shoot or networking to get my work seen and have people discover me. But if I’m not doing those things, I am venturing around my home state of Oregon finding those points of views that aren’t normally seen, and that can be challenging at times. A lot of my work requires patience and a keen eye for detail.
VOA: Where and how do you see your business growing?
GW: Someday, I want to see my work in magazines, galleries, and homes or businesses around the country. Mostly, I want to grow my business into an honest, hardworking service that people can respect and love for their photography needs. My business grows mostly by the word of mouth and keeping people happy is key in my growth as a business owner.
VOA: What are your biggest challenges as a small business owner?
GW: Oh boy, the challenges. I have to say bookkeeping and scheduling is the most difficult for sure. I’m not a very good bookkeeper but I try to be flexible with clients as much as I can be.
VOA: What challenged and surprised you about starting a small business?
GW: That people don’t want to pay much for my time or expertise. They think since it’s something I love to do that I will do it for free.
VOA: What is your favorite part of your business?
GW: I enjoy the nice comments and satisfaction I hear from my customers. Also, I enjoy getting out in nature to get those shots most people don’t get to experience. Most people are so excited to see the final product and they tell me how surprised they are that they turned out so good.
From businesses and landscapes to weddings and babies, Northwest Foto has an amazing collection of photos. To check out more of Greg and Northwest Foto, click here.
Stay tuned for more small business spotlights in the future. We always love learning more about our fellow small businesses and love nothing more than sharing our knowledge with you!
Sara Husted is a partner, blogger and social media manager at Virtual Office Admins out of their west coast location. For a FREE consultation, click here to contact VOA today!