277 - Diversifying Your Photography Portfolio with Tiffany Crenshaw

friends, right? Whether that's because they have a similar haircut as you hairstyle is you or they were similar close to yours, maybe it's the color of their skin, maybe it's something else you are trying to find some visual cue that tells you that you are safe in that particular

group. And we all do this, whether you ever had the pleasure of being the new kid in school, you've certainly walked into a cocktail party where you didn't really know anybody, or you're new at college, and you're trying to find your friends, whatever the scenario are human nature dictates that we are trying to find a safe space, a safe smaller space, within the bigger space when we are looking at a new scenario. That is true not just in, in person physical spaces. But

online. When we are looking for businesses to work with when we are seeking out mentors and educators, we're all looking to find people that we connect with. And one of the most prominent ways that we can sense that we are going to be safe in a new space is if we see representation of people that we believe are like us in some way, shape, or form kind of showcased on that person's website or in their, you know, ads or whatever

the case may be. So I think when people toss the words, diversity and representation around, we can kind of tune them out if we don't feel like they immediately apply to us in a given situation. But the fact of the matter is, we've all been in situations where we were on the outside, and we were trying to find that way of being included.

And as business owners, I think that it is really important sort of ethically, but also just from a business perspective to be intentional about the diversity and representation that we showcase in our own work. And I am excited to share the conversation that I had today with Tiffany Crenshaw, Tiffany is a family photographer in Alabama, and and she is a black woman. And she was very

generous. I was excited when she approached me about sharing about this topic and talking about it on the podcast, because it is a tricky conversation at times. And although I think having someone who has been in the position of not feeling particularly included in a space, talk about it is more compelling than me just

pontificating about it. It's also the sort of thing where I don't want to put someone on the spot and say, I want you to come educate my community about this or talk to my community about this, because it can be a fraught subject. So the fact that Tiffany approached me with that topic was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

And as I knew it would this turned into a wonderful conversation that I think you're going to get a lot out of not just from sort of an inspirational and motivational standpoint, but also from a practical standpoint. So I am going to cue the music and and let Tiffany take over. Welcome to this can't be that hard. My name is Annemie Tonken. And I help photographers run profitable, sustainable

businesses that they love. Each week on the podcast, I cover simple, actionable strategies and systems that photographers at every level of experience can use to earn more money in a more sustainable way. Running a photography business doesn't have to be that hard. You can do it. And I can show you how. Tiffany Crenshaw, welcome to this can't be that hard. It is

wonderful to see your face. We got to meet in person this past spring and this is the first time we've really reconnected since but I am excited for today's conversation. How are you today?

people. Possibly, you know, it's one of those things that isn't on their radar. But then once it becomes on their radar, I think it gets really challenging to figure out how to go about that in a way that is respectful, and thoughtful, and not tokenizing, and all of the different things.

But whether you are looking to diversify the color palette of your, of your portfolio, or the different kinds of families or couples or whatever it is that you're photographing, you know, there are there are myriad ways that we can diversify our portfolios. But being intentional about it is is so important. So I am excited to to hear what you've got to say on the matter. But before we jump into all that light stuff, tell me or tell I know, I know the

answer to this. But why don't you share a little bit about your backstory and how you sort of got to where you are in the photography industry?

cheap little camera. I bought it online like back when there was like Western Union crazy things like my husband was like, you're getting scammed. And I said, just give me 100 bucks. And that's all I'm asking for just 100 bucks. And so I buy this camera, and it comes and it was my first rebel like, sure Canon Rebel. And as I started taking more pictures of the girls, people started asking like, oh, yeah, are you and you know, I said, No, this is just for my

kids. But after a certain point and some encouragement from friends, I thought, You know what, let's give this a try and just see if I could even just do a part time type deal. It took off that first year, and I left teaching and and then it quickly scaled. And so it's it's been a great journey. We have an additional child. Now, that gets

to be in front of the lens. But I've just become really passionate about documenting families and really capturing the moments that I would want captured for my own children.

start their families. I'm like, you gotta get stuff. Well, tell me a little bit about your experience because I know we talked about this in sort of as you got into photography and you were looking around for mentors and other people who are, you know, in the photography industry and sort of the experience that you found what When it came to diversity, or lack thereof in a lot of portfolios out there,

lot of ways. Because I want it to feel we all want to feel a sense of belonging, like, okay, these are my people. Sure. And that we know that, okay, you have some, because of your background, you have some similar experiences, or even just in knowing how to edit, you know, attending some of these workshops and things when, you know, there would be editing of, you know, darker skin tones, it

would be very washed out. And the answer was just kind of, like, well, this is the preset, like, you know, and so I felt like, I really need to find some spaces where I feel like, there is some more representation, even, you know, in mentoring locally, it helped my business

tremendously. But I still felt like I was lacking that help from people that had similar backgrounds, or even just people that were willing to have conversations really about it or willing to say, Oh, I don't know, but I would like to learn, you know, and so, going to conferences, when you're the only person that looks the way you do, it's very intimidating. Sure. And you can feel a little bit like, I don't know if I quite belong here. And so I just really wanted that to be different.

coasts. And but you know, being in that position is sort of, I imagine it's a double edged sword. So yeah, talk a little bit about that experience.

needed someone. And so I felt really excited to be able to kind of open that door for people, because I think whether it's business wise, or just our clients even, they want to see, okay, there are people like me here, like, I think this is a safe space. And so, you know, I think kind of going into these different conferences, I'm teaching it imaging this year on diversity, and being able to go onto these platforms, and be able to be a voice I think, is

kind of a starting place. And like you said, if it doesn't exist, sometimes we just have to create it. It's the same in our businesses, like their systems, you know, you know that very well, that if they don't exist, then we create them. And so that's kind of the journey I'm on right now.

don't see a need for growth. And so I think some of it is just a lack of of information and a lack of awareness. And in so helping people like putting words to that and helping bring awareness, one of those barriers, I think, is just helping people find it valuable, you know, because sometimes, you know, you can teach on these topics, and you don't have a big audience. And you know, it's like, I'm teaching kind of to myself, here are the people that

are already doing this. And so I think that can be a challenge is just helping people see that these things are for the good of all of us, not just for the people that are directly impacted by it.

privilege around that. But I've been in situations in photography, where I was one of very few women in the room. And this was back when I was first learning a couple of the first classes that I took where it was like me, and a bunch of like, older guys who were just kind of puttering around with their cameras. And who could not have taken me less seriously. And so yeah, but it's, it's a it's a weird position to be put in where you're like, um, I think that I know what's going on

here. But nobody wants to acknowledge that, but it's there. It's a it's like, the elephant in the room. And when you're on the end of it that is less comfortable. It's hard.

And that's just kind of the like, if you're a black photographer, you're gonna be doing more of your post portrait work. And there's nothing wrong with that. But there hasn't really been a space for lifestyle work. And so I think when people come into photography, they think this is the path I need to be on. Because this is the only thing in Huntsville, where I live. I'm the only black lifestyle photographer that does families in Alabama, like the only one that does newborns that that's

not studio, this lifestyle. And so that's just crazy to me that, you know, it's mind blowing to think like, Wow, you really aren't. That's it like, yeah, you're the only the only one. And slowly I've been finding some community and finding some other lifestyle photographers that are of color, Asian, Black, you know, different different origins. But I think that it's just so rare that people see that, oh, I could do I don't have to just do this thing that

everyone does. And so I think trying to help people see that, I think we're gonna see more people coming into even lifestyle photography and showing like, Oh, this isn't just for blonde people on the side of a mountain, like, yeah, this can be for anybody, you know. And so yeah, it's just it's very interesting how we gravitate towards what's already been established and what's already familiar,

know. I mean, it sounds like you are doing conferences and education, just in whatever space you could find within lifestyle, and then recognizing like, Oh, I am perhaps the only person of color in the room or, you know, this is like that lack of representation. Does that slow you down at all? Do you feel like when, you know, did it become something that you started to search for when you are looking at conferences and that sort of thing?

And so in compared to we know how many photographers there are in our little cities, like there's so many, but it's more looking for looking for examples that there's inclusion, that women are represented that minorities are represented, that on their panel of speakers in the past, have they had representation? Have they had people that are different and that aren't, you know, just the same type of person every time?

Or is it a space where I feel like this is a maybe a bigger platform, and I have a chance to really reach people and help inspire them in this way. And so yeah, so those are things that I've that I've looked for. And honestly, with a lot of workshops and things, I've pulled back some from those just because it's not always the environment where the change is being sought after. And so I'm like, I really have to focus my time, we all have such a limited

time resource. And so really focusing in the areas where I feel like, okay, I can learn and I can also help make a difference here.

thing. And, and which actually, I feel like is a good segue, we've been talking about this in the photography industry and your experience as a photographer, and learning as a photographer, and all that sort of thing, which is very important. I want to flip it around to now kind of steer the conversation in terms of how this affects us as photographers and our the the people that we are serving or trying to serve

as our clients. Because it's a, you know, this, this same issue exists in all the different parts of our business. So I would love to talk about how it is that as a I don't care who you are, you have, we all are our own specific sexual orientation, race, religion, all able bodied Ness, or not all the different things and so whatever perspective we are coming from typically tends to be the most represented or one of the better represented in our portfolio.

And so as we are trying to be intentional about diversifying our portfolios, it can be challenging, especially if we happen to be in a majority kind of a space, you know, then it gets into like, Okay, well, if no one who doesn't look like me doesn't, you know, sort of participate in the same or isn't part of the same circles as I am, if no one is hiring me, how do I diversify my portfolio?

accurately represent us. Sure, we have different skin tones. And even within my children, they have many different skin tone, right? And then there's my husband, you know, who's a lot fairer skinned and so finding people that I can see have a command over their editing that I know, okay, you're not going to make us look washed out. You're not just going to apply the same thing that works maybe for these other skin tones, but not for us. It has been a

challenge over the years. Yeah. And so I'd love to share a story with you. A couple years ago, I had a woman reached out to me that was getting married. She sent in an inquiry and she said that she wanted me to photograph her wedding. At the time, I had never photographed a wedding. And I emailed and responded, I'm so sorry, I'm not a wedding photographer. And, you know, she responded. Oh, I know. Oh, but she was very fair skin and her

husband is from Kenya. And she said that she had been looking for a photographer to do their wedding and not having any success. Either they washed him out, or they made her look very orange, very, you know, discolored, and she's like, I can't find anyone. But when I look at your portfolio, I can see that you can edit for both of those skin tones. And so, you know, we got on a phone call, I kept trying to dissuade her, because this is a wedding,

right? Like, right? Not a small, not a small ask, like, you know, and I'm one that's very much like, I'm gonna acknowledge when something is not in my wheelhouse, you know, like, there's enough pie for everyone. Like, we don't all need all the slices. And so, you know, I tried to discourage her. But at the end of the day, she was like, I want you. And so I said, Alright, let's do this. I'm going to learn, I'm going to figure this out. And, and it was beautiful. The wedding was

beautiful. The images, you know, were great. But that experience really was eye opening for me that there are people out there that really are staying away from professional photography services, because they don't see anyone that looks like them. You know it, even though it happened to me personally, I guess I hadn't seen it as something that Oh, yeah. Other people are having the same. Reservation shouldn't be.

And so the first thing I would say, is not to be discouraged, but to use it as a chance to make a plan, you know, moving forward. And so one of the biggest ways that I have been able to really even in my own work to help with making sure that I'm including a lot of different people is doing model very intentional model calls. I think sometimes model calls, we hear them as photographers, and we just think like, oh, let me just, you know, I need a model.

And then you hear a lot of frustration with fuel, like, I got this family that was not a fit and what you know, and so I think being very intentional with your model call process. And it's okay to be specific with what you're looking for. I think we can get very nervous that we are going to say the wrong things and offend people.

And sometimes at the end of the day, someone will always be offended, because that's just the state of mind that people sometimes choose to exist in, but the majority of people are going to find value and feel respected at your efforts. And so stating, in your model call that you're looking for a family of Asian descent with two young children to do you know, a

photoshoot with that is okay. I think there's nothing wrong with saying we're saying that, and I've had experiences in the past where I've done that and, you know, sometimes I still have someone that is not of Asian descent. You know, it's like Well, we're not technically Asian. But and I'm like, no, no, that's not what you know. But it helps you to really open the door to people that you might not be in contact with regularly. Right, you know. And so I think it's, it's completely

fine. That would be one suggestion. Also, I think, putting yourself out there and your community is very important. Because like, as you mentioned, in the beginning, we don't want this to be, I'm only doing this so that my little squares on Instagram can look different, it has to start with a heart of, I actually want my life to be full of the beauty that is around me, and not just

my little bubble. And so attending, like, I know, all cities have different cultural festivals and you know, different food truck experiences that might be like, you know, Hispanic food truck day or all these different things like just get outside and go and meet people, like, genuinely meet people, I think that is going to help so much, and just bringing in some natural diversity, and even just as a person learning things that you didn't know before, right?

comfort zone. And I often liken this to and you can tell me whether you think it's an apt description, but it's like, going to a different country where you speak a little bit of the language, and being willing to show up and sound like a three year old, and how there are going to be I was just talking to somebody about this, who was going to France, and they were like, Oh, the French are notoriously hard on tourists. And I was like, first of all, that's, I feel like

that's a broad generalization. I used to live in New York. And people said that about New Yorkers too. And I was like, if you're standing in the middle of the road, like staring up and I'm trying to get to work, you may perceive me as being rude if I just kind of brushed past you, but I'm not. But the people who are willing to try even though they feel awkward, and maybe it's slower or whatever, yeah, sometimes you're gonna get pushback or an eye roll or

whatever. But if you are genuinely doing your best, there are people who are going to see that as well. And it's, you know, I think it's worth the effort, because then you really are learning more and seeing more and doing more and can build those connections. Yeah,

know. And so finally, I went over to her, and I said, you have a very beautiful family, and I'm a family photographer, and newborn photographer, and I would love the chance to be able to photograph your family, if that's something you'd be interested in. And she said, Are you do you own animal house photography? And I was like, yes, she's like, I've been

following you for years. I've always been scared to reach out and you know, she's like, but I've always wanted a session and so I'm like, well, here you go. Like yeah, that you know, so glad that I you know, did the weird thing and you know, when spoke with her and so we ended up filming. And it was such a good experience because there was so much I didn't understand

about her culture. And so we sat the next practical I was going to say is, is consultations, really sitting down whether it's on Zoom or in person, whatever your business model or schedule allows for, but sitting face to face with your clients and really asking questions and being like you said humble that okay, I'm a three year old here

I don't know right. And so with styling because normally I handle you know, styling and I already have my ideas about colors and this and that and right you know, I knew that they have some cultural specifications that are going to need to be accounted for and so asking her like, what is appropriate to wear and what what does this what does this mean colors mean different things and you know, styles mean different things and so even down to the fact that the month we were filming is a is Ramadan

for them, and so they fast for an entire month. And so she said, You know, it's really not a great time. Yeah, for pictures because I'm going to be really hungry with three small chill Children, right at the end of the day, and I'm like, You're right, that sounds like a terrible time. And so, you know, we learned that there were exceptions during that month. And so we timed it based on, you know, some exceptions that she shared with me. And, and it was

great. But those were things that I wouldn't have known if I just booked a date and said, We're meeting we're taking these pictures, you know, you have to really get in there and, and not be afraid to ask what you don't know.

all that sort of thing. And I've ended up with clients that represent a whole bunch of different kinds of backgrounds, which has been lovely, but I sometimes worry that those clients may feel over represented in where, like, what I share on my Instagram feed or

anything else. And I, you know, the last thing that I would want to make someone feel as tokenized, but it is it can be a balanced, because even though I have that diversity in my portfolio, it's still, let's call it 30% of the people or 25% of the people that I'm photographing don't fit a mold that looks like my sis white family. So So then, you know, I ended up feeling like I've sort of relied heavier on those families and their photos, they give permission for them to be

shared. I've never no one's ever said anything to me. But it is something that I have worried about. And I imagine that that's something that other people worry about, as well. Do you have any thoughts about that? Or any additional thoughts?

look at this family. That's very, you know, right, that seems silly, but there are, you know, there may be people that

don't know that. And so I think it's in your I think it's having them included without any special highlights just that it's in your feed, and people are going to understand, obviously, like, your feed isn't going to be entirely Asian people or black people like then I would never expect that my feed is not going to be you know, all Indian people or black people or Asian, like it's, it's not going to be all of one because we live in a very diverse, diverse Space Society.

Sure, you know, and also, it's going to take time, because truthfully, there aren't a ton of families and I'm speaking from like my work with newborn families. It is very rare for a black family to hire lifestyle, newborn photography, most. They're seeing Yeah, it's not what they're seeing, and so so on my feet isn't going to only have that because there aren't a lot of people. And I know that there are not a lot of people seeking it only because I know

that I'm the only one here. So there's a lot of babies being born. And so, you know, I think people don't expect to only see one thing in your feed, and they're also not upset if there's not more or less, I think they just want to see that it's a balanced thing, you know, and that it it's similar to what they see when they go to Target. You know, maybe the target is 60% Caucasian and 20%. African American. So then, let's go for at least that type of representation in our feeds, I think. Yeah.

marketing audience. I think that it is it's a good thing for people to consider and you touched on one thing that. So you had approached bear when we were talking about having you on the show, and you were like, Oh, I could talk about this, I could talk about this, I was excited to talk to you about this subject. And also was like, I need to have her on the show multiple times. Because I same

thing. It's like, oh, you know, you're, I appreciate that you're willing to talk about this, and that you are helping shed light on the subject in the industry, because I think that it's a really important one. But I also appreciate the fact that that education falling on your shoulders or you know, being something that is needs to be explained is its own sort of burden. So anyway, just wanted to point out that I appreciate you and the work that you're

doing. And I'm also looking forward to having you back on the show to talk about motherhood and juggling all of the things all at once. So we will get to that soon. So anyway, well, thank you so much. Let everybody know where they can find you and how they can connect with you further.