Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Blackman.
Hi Lindsay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For the past 13 years I have photographed over 800 newborns, and I also offer Newborn Mentoring & Training for other aspiring Newborn Photographers. I am a licensed and insured professional photographer, and serve Portland and Salem.
I started my business photographing a friend’s newborn in my apartment living room, and fast forward 13 years, I now have a beautiful professional studio to welcome my clients to. I am so grateful and lucky that I followed my heart and my passion! Babies (and fur babies 🙂 have my heart.
While there are a million different styles of Newborn Photography, I always focus on images that I know parents will still love 20 years from now. I try not to follow fleeting trends too much, and instead focus on stunning, beautifully captured, timeless, modern, and clean images of their newborn. I want them to cherish their image for a lifetime, and focus on creating those types of images for them.
I have twin boys, (now toddlers! phew!) and they keep me laughing and on my toes everyday. I remember clearly what it’s like to be a new very exhausted parent, and I use this knowledge to make my clients time with me as easy and enjoyable as possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building a business is anything but a smooth road. It’s filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. But is it rewarding? Absolutely.
For me, the challenges have often been personal rather than external. I’m someone who thrives on learning, constantly seeking new skills and knowledge. At the same time, I have a perfectionist streak—a desire to get everything 100% right, all the time. And let’s face it: that’s just not realistic. This mindset has led me to be my harshest critic, far tougher on myself than anyone else.
But here’s the paradox: that relentless drive, (thanks to a touch of ADHD 🙂 while often frustrating, has also been a gift. It’s pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. If I had allowed myself to settle—to become complacent—I wouldn’t be where I am today. That feeling of never being “good enough” has been both a struggle and a catalyst for my artistic and business growth.
The pursuit of perfection may be an impossible journey, but along the way, it has taught me to embrace improvement, celebrate progress, and find joy in the process. It’s not about reaching a destination; it’s about growing, evolving, and striving to create something better every single day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in Newborn Portrait Photography! I do both lifestyle, and posed newborns. In addition to newborn sessions, I also offer baby milestone photography, maternity portraits, and family sessions
One of the things I’m most proud of is my beautiful, dedicated studio, designed with care to provide a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for my clients. My studio was a labor of love, and I built it from the ground up! Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to ensure both comfort and convenience, from cozy props and soft lighting to a tranquil atmosphere where babies and families can feel at ease. In the beginning, it was an unfinished concrete basement, providing a blank slate to create a space worthy of the beautiful babies who come see me.
I think my studio, and hopefully who I am as a person, is what truly sets me apart. It’s a reflection of my commitment to creating stunning, heirloom-quality images while offering an stress-free and enjoyable experience. Having a space like this allows me to fully focus on my craft and deliver exceptional results, making every session memorable for my clients. I work hard to make sure that clients feel safe, cared for, and relaxed during their time with me. I think often of the saying “people may not remember exactly what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel”. I think this is absolutely true, and especially so when working with exhausted parents.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to new photographers would be to make sure you understand that 90% of the job is not actually spent behind the camera. It is doing the thousands of unseen jobs that make a business run. You are not only a photographer. You are also the editor, accountant, marketer, social media manager, website designer, SEO strategist, customer service department, scheduler, salesperson, product designer, location scout, studio cleaner, prop organizer, email writer, blogger, bookkeeper, problem solver, and everything in between.
I think when I first started, I believed that if I became a really great photographer, the rest would naturally fall into place. But creating beautiful images is only one piece of building a successful, sustainable business. You also have to learn how to communicate with clients, create an experience people value, price yourself profitably, market consistently, manage your time, stay organized, and adapt when things inevitably change.
And maybe most importantly, give yourself time. You do not have to have everything figured out in your first year, or even your fifth. I have been doing this for over 13 years and I am still learning, changing, refining, and finding better ways to do things. The goal isn’t to arrive at some magical point where you finally know everything. It is to build a business that can grow and evolve right alongside you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livejoyphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livejoyphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livejoyphotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livejoyphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/livejoy-photography-salem
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@livejoyphotography
