Business Spotlight – Lawrence Juliussen
In this week's Business Spotlight we'd like to introduce a business that frequently casts their own spotlight onto clients (and models).
Lawrence Juliussen Photography has now been trading for over a year and has already become a well established and respected photographer. Lawrence, who started the business after deciding to make a life change to being his own boss said:
"Really great photography is about capturing the mood and the memories you’ll want to treasure all your life. And capturing your most special of days is our passion."
Despite specialising in wedding and portrait photography, Lawrence also frequently photographs a wide range of other styles such as eye-catching landscape, atmospheric interiors and much more.
We asked Lawrence a few questions about starting up and running his own business:
Business owner: Lawrence Juliussen
Date business started: April 2014
Business location: 1 Leven Street, Broughty Ferry
Business Tel: 07740361343
Website: www.lawrence-juliussen-photography.co.uk
1. What did you do before you started your business?
I worked for DC Thomson for 38 years and for the most part was in IT. I left because I wanted to shake up my life and face new challenges.
2. What drew you towards your field of business?
I’ve always been into photography and photographed my first wedding more than 30 years ago.
3. What hurdles and challenges have you faced in getting to the stage you are currently at?
It’s been an easy transition for me but I admit that having to be involved with Facebook, Instagram and other social media is daunting. I really preferred the good-old-days when an ad in Yellow Pages was all it took!
4. How has Elevator and Business Gateway helped you and your business on its journey?
They’ve certainly helped me with social media and with which groups to join on Facebook, and I’ve also attended some of the workshops.
The next hurdle for me is tax - accounting scares me and I’ll be looking for some guidance in that area.
4. Since starting your business, if you could have done one thing differently, what would that be?
I would have started it earlier.
5. What aspect of your business have you taken the most pride in since you started?
Being full-time in photography now gives me access to events and people and places that I wouldn’t otherwise encounter. This, in turn, has allowed me to take some stunning images of which I’m very proud.
6. Do you have any entertaining stories or experiences since starting your business, unexpected events, or interesting developments?
I took a photograph of the recent eclipse on my mobile phone and it produced a fluke artifact that showed the eclipse reflected onto Broughty Ferry Castle. I since learned that everyone who took an image with their phone got the same result but the reflection was usually lost in the sky or some other obscure part of the image. I really didn’t think much of it (and still don’t). However, of all the images I’ve posted on Facebook (some of which I’m very proud) this one received the most comments and praise and was shared by more than 100 others.
I’m quite peeved at that.
7. Has the business recently secured significant orders, expanded its premises, taken on new staff, received funding, produced something unique, increased exports, etc.?
I’ve been working quite a lot over the past year with Dundee model Elaine Harris. She started modelling after I asked her to pose for the cover of my brochure. My photographs of her have appeared in many newspapers and magazines and on the front cover of an international magazine. This has given me quite a bit of exposure and I’ve had a lot of interest from other models who would like to work with me.
8. What do you love about running your business?
Obviously the freedom of being your own boss but mostly it’s about creating images that other people delight in. I do love handing over a carefully-crafted wedding album to my clients.
9. What plans do you have for the future of your business?
I would like one day to open a High Street photography studio in Broughty Ferry. I’m probably some way from achieving that but I’m considering taking on an assistant who can eventually cover weddings. Elaine and I are also talking about collaborating on a new project.
If you have a fantastic skill that you'd love to turn into a business, then Elevator & Business Gateway can help. From a wide range of free workshops, through to supporting you every step of your journey, Elevator & Business Gateway can help make these dreams a reality.
Contact your local office now to find out more:
Perth: 01738 448310, RossW@ElevatorUK.com
Dundee: 01382 443400, Margaret@ElevatorUK.com
Aberdeen City & Shire: 01224 289700, Hello@ElevatorUK.com
Back to all blogs