Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Fortin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Thank you for inviting me on Oregon Voyager! My business journey definitely didn’t start in the conventional sense! I don’t have an MBA or even a degree in photography… I have a PhD in chemistry. I spent 5 years as an engineer at Intel before deciding to take a chance on myself, start a creative business that allowed me to work with humans (not robots), and scale it without funding. Erin Fortin Photography (EFP) started in 2016, became bicoastal in 2022, and now serves headshots and brand photography for clients across the US. I am obsessed with creating personalized, professional photoshoots and marketing assets for service-based businesses. We do this through multiple studios and an incredibly talented team working asynchronously (shout out to Nate, Carlos, Savanna, Faye, and Kate!).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every entrepreneur knows the journey is never smooth. We know how to go with the ebbs and flows of business, and weather the storms.
In 2024, I had an unexpected medical emergency stopping everything in an instance. My husband and I were out on a run when I had a stroke, leaving me blind. I was 37, a nonsmoker, and marathon runner. It turns out, the stroke was caused by a hole in my heart (an ASD) that required open heart surgery. My team completely stepped up and took care of business. My clients more than understood and were first in my inbox upon return from my 6 month medical leave. I’m incredibly grateful 80% of my vision returned AND for the systems and relationships I’d built that helped us navigate that season of life. If someone you know has suffered a stroke, don’t hesitate to message me. You’re not alone and I know I was desperate for hope in the survivor community.
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 am obsessed with brand building. I help businesses stand out with personalized, professional photo assets that build trust and make marketing easier. Brand photography solves a core problem that every small business or personal brand is trying to solve: how can you help people remember who you are and what you do? In 2027, you can’t market your brand with generic or AI stock imagery. That’s where we help: we design and execute photoshoots that are unmistakably yours. We provide Photoshoot Prep Guides, customized to your brand. This includes location scouting, timeline, styling, shot list, and mood boards to ensure creative direction alignment before every photoshoot.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you have a dream, chase after it! Don’t wait to start that business, book those plane tickets, and take good care of your health. You can always make more money, you can never make more time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erinfortinphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinfortinphoto/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinfortin12866
