02 Apr Customer Story: Lisa Russo
Lisa Russo is a fine art photographer based in Roanoke, Texas. Her work has been feature in The36thAve.com, Centsationalgirl.com, Caribou Coffee, Papernstitch, Pittsburgh Magazine, Chautauqua Weddings, Better Homes & Gardens Scrapbooks, and many more. You can see more of her work or purchase her gorgeous fine art prints from her website or her Etsy Shop.
Which apps do you use? Shoot & Sell, ProofShare or both?
Shoot & Sell. I am a fine art photographer, so all of my clients are online. I used to own a portrait business however, and ProofShare would have been so helpful!
How long have you been in business?
Since 2007. I started out with a portrait business, then switched to fine art photography in 2010.
How was business prior to switching to using Shoot & Sell and/or ProofShare?
Steady and growing. But I directly attribute the growth of my business to customers being able to ‘envision’ how a piece would look on their wall.
How long have you been using Shoot & Sell and how has it changed your business?
I happily purchased Shoot & Sell when it first came out and good golly, how it has changed my business! I show potential customers how a piece would look on a wall in canvas, framed, grouped, you name it. I really thinks it helps for someone to “see” it displayed. I also appreciate the variety of rooms, as some of my work is meant for a foyer, dining room, bathroom, nursery, bedroom, etc.
I have to add that another huge savings is in TIME. Prior to Shoot & Sell I would attempt to lay out galleries on stock rooms without the benefit of exact sizing and such – which meant many hours spent in Photoshop. With Shoot & Sell that work is done for me, so I have more time to edit more work!
What are some other tools you use that you find indispensable in your business?
Photoshop, my fine art printer, and my big tabletop trimmer. It’s about 10 years old and I couldn’t live without it!
Do you have any words of wisdom for those just starting out? Is there anything you learned the hard way that you wish you’d known at the start?
Wisdom: Know your craft before charging customers, and when you do make sure you’re charging enough to a) pay yourself for your work and b) not undercut your colleagues. Wish I‘d known: Large family groups are the devil!
Where can we see more of your work?