“I choose to be happy and I choose to be positive.”
Annie Marie tells her story, addresses the challenges she’s faced, and talks about Kindimosity, a term she coined that describes how she looks at life and treats others.
“Journal positive things in your life.”
0:40 - About Annie
9:49 - Awards
14:23 - Two Markets
19:52 - The Burnout
24:48 - Positivity is a Choice
34:18 - Viewing 2021
“Lead by example.”
I began my photography journey as a child following my photographer dad around with a camera, wanting to learn as much as I could. I would spend hours out in nature photographing anything that caught my eye and late nights in the darkroom he built in our home.
Years later, in 1994 after college and some adventures in Guatemala, I started Annie Marie Photography in Miami where I was living at the time. After eight years of building a successful studio, I moved back home to Minnesota with my two kids and started all over again. This time with experience backing me up, I went digital and built my business up again stronger than before.
My business has taken so many twists and turns though the past 27 years. I have worked out of my home, in large studios, and now on location and studio shares. I have loved each stage that I have gone through and love where I am in my business today. Even though I feel solid with my business model and style.
I continue to learn and push myself to always evolve. I have learned so much about myself and my photography the past couple years through awards and accreditation. I have earned Minnesota Photographer of the Year two years in a row as well as 2020 SYNC Photographer of the year as well as several awards from International competitions. The best one yet was just earning my Fellow accreditation with the Portrait Masters. I am honored to be one of nine in the world.
I also have a side hustle creating and selling marketing templates for photographers in hope to make their life easier and business more successful. I also mentor photographers as a way to give back and offer something I wish I had when I was starting out.
Now, off to see what I can create next…