Featured Photographer – Lexi Vornberg

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Tell us a little about who you are …

My name is Lexi Vornberg and I am a portrait photographer in Cincinnati Ohio. I specialize in photographing teen girls, which are mostly seniors and models. I also do a little commercial work here and there.

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What made you decide you wanted to be a photographer?

I originally got into photography when my husband and I adopted our first puppy. My mom, who is also a professional photographer, loaned me her canon 30D to capture him growing up. I spent a year photographing him and a few other dogs I knew and before I knew it I was photographing pets as a side job during college. It wasn’t till I photographed my friend, who was a high school senior at the time, that I fell in love with working with teen girls. After that shoot I knew what I wanted to do in life.

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What do you find is the best way to promote your photography business?

Good old fashion word of mouth. If you go above and beyond for your clients they are going to want to tell their friends about you. Which is the best form of marketing. Facebook and social media websites are also phenomenal was to market and spread your name.

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How would you describe your photography style?

Natural and muted. I love the look of film and although digital will never look like film my processing is defiantly inspired by it. I also love to capture raw emotion whether that’s seriousness or laughter.

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How do you get your clients to relax and feel natural around you?

I put a lot of effort into getting to know my clients before we have their sessions. If you get to know them on a personal level, let them get to know you and educate them on how their session will run the whole projected nervousness they show up to a session with is eliminated.

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Are you Canon or Nikon?

I’m a Canon girl.

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What’s your favorite lens?

I LOVE my lensbaby 80 edge optics (tilt shift). Even though I only use it about 20% of the time all my favorite images have been shot with it.

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What tip would you give aspiring photographers?

Invest in a Mentor. Being a photographer is like any other job, there is a lot you need to learn to successfully do it. And just like a student invests in courses at a local college you need to invest in a teacher to help you grow and learn. Doing so will save you not only time but also money because a good mentor will help you avoid all the mistakes and fall backs most photographers make when starting a new business. Also be true to your own style. Don’t compare your work to others because you’re not them and they are not you. No one else can create the work that you can and be proud of that.

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Where do you see your career in 5 years?

Wow, I’ve only been in business for 1.5 years so 5 more is a long way away. To be truthful I can only see my business growing. I also founded and run a photographers magazine called Lemonade and Lenses which I see taking over most of my business, but I will always be a photographer, even if it’s only offering sessions once a week.