Let's talk shop: Photographer pursues small business

By Alli Kennedy

If you see Emily Biggers’ work on Instagram or read her blog, it would be easy to assume she is working fulltime as a photographer and videographer. Biggers, a sophomore communication major with a concentration in digital media at Anderson University, is pursuing her degree while also pursuing her business: Emily Hannah Productions.

Biggers’ enterprise is evidence that the days of having to save money to buy a storefront to begin a business are over. Social media marketing and communications have made starting a business accessible to nearly anyone. As a result, entrepreneurship is becoming a popular option for students while they are still in school.

“My classes have helped me gain more of a professional perspective on my business,” Biggers said. “While I am focusing on art, I have learned how to promote myself to my target market.”

Biggers said classes such as video production have helped her learn her craft while running Emily Hannah Productions. She said her love for telling people’s stories through her business grew during projects where she could interview clients and shoot a video for different assignments.

“I am doing homework, but I am also doing what I love at the same time,” she said. “It’s difficult at times balancing the two, but it’s definitely worth it.”

Emily Hannah Productions focuses on wedding, senior, family, and other lifestyle photography and videography. Biggers said she hopes to pursue small business photography while doing projects on the side for her enjoyment.

“I love having full creative control over a project. I want to allow myself to be an artist first,” she said.

Biggers’ love for expressing herself creatively can be seen through her blog (emilyhannahphotoblog. wordpress.com) where she writes about the different projects she has developed.

“Writing for my classes has helped me learn how to communicate and organize my ideas for my blog. When people are on Instagram, they don’t usually

read, but a blog helps me to communicate the bigger picture of my projects through writing,” Biggers said. “Being in my different communication classes has helped me learn what presenting myself effectively through writing looks like.”

Biggers is currently working on a photography project inspired by the nine different personality types from the Enneagram personality type test. She says that the project has helped her to “explore the artistic side of photography” and has helped her continue to be passionate about her business even when it is difficult to balance.

She said she hopes her creative work can open doors for fashion and commercial photography when she graduates from AU.