We recently had the chance to connect with William Bourret and have shared our conversation below.
Hi William, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
All of my clients have been amazing. For context, I have been photographing people since the summer of 2023. Over the past two years, I have had over 30 clients. Some may think it is not much, but to me, it is a lot. Being able to photograph people is so special and important to me, and I hope to continue doing it.
Anyway, enough of that short rant, the most surprising thing that I have learned from my clients is that being relaxed and confident helps the client warm up. Especially in front of the camera. Some people are not really comfortable in front of a camera, and because of this, they seem tense. To help them calm down, I found that getting to know them, what they like to do, their favorite TV show, etc., is a great way to get them to act more like themselves.
Another thing that I have learned is that if a client expects something professional-level, put in the work to meet their expectations. While people may think that is a normal thing to know, it took a few tries for me before I really understood what to do. Being professional has helped me build trust and relationships with my clients. I have been able to have a few people who have consistently hired me for when they want their photos done.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello!
My name is William Bourret, and I am a freelance photographer specializing in portrait photography. I am currently a student at Brigham Young University-Provo (BYU) hoping to pursue a degree in Photo and Lens-Based Design (AKA photography/working with cameras). I am currently based in Provo, UT, but I still have many connections in Northern CO.
I always had a passion for photography, but it didn’t start until I was a freshmen in high school. I would use my phone camera to take pictures of anything and everything that looked interesting. With that camera, I got really good photos out of them, but I quickly moved on to a more serious camera. Now, as a recent high school graduate, I am focusing more on honing my craft this summer and open my horizons to different parts of photography. In the future, my plan is to expand Meowart Photography where it can be a substantial part in my income.
My style is very genre fluid. I am certified in Adobe Photoshop, which makes things easier to edit in some cases. I like to keep the essence of the raw photo and only edit it to have emphasis on certain areas. However, the more I learn in Photoshop and Lightroom, the more detailed my edits become. The equipment and software that I use is Canon Camera and Adobe Lightroom. I’m on the cheaper side of photographers regarding prices. My business is targeted towards high schoolers/college students, but I will always branch out to other audiences. My price range is $50-300. I edit the photos whenever I have time and would usually release them via Zonerama, a free gallery where the gallery itself won’t be deleted. When it comes to finishing photos and delivering them, I’m very prompt. I will communicate through multiple messaging methods to ensure that if a client misses it in one spot, they will have it in another spot.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I was not creative in the slightest. Actually, no – that is kind of a lie. I used to play piano from age 4 until the beginning of 7th grade. I started drawing random characters in November of 2019. When I was doing that, I was HEAVILY obsessed with the Just Dance games. Originally, I wanted to be a graphic designer and work for Ubisoft one day, but plans have really changed since this. But other than that, I did not really believe that I was really creative.
That all changed though. Now, I think of myself as very creative. In 2021, I decided to move my creative endeavors towards photography. While I kept drawing and working as an art commissioner, I put my energy into photography. In 2023, I started pursuing photography professionally.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been many times that I almost gave up. I would see other photographers, some even starting after I started out, getting more traction and experience while I only had a few shoots every few months. I also almost gave up because I thought I could not be original, and kept comparing myself to other photographers I see online.
While these things kept me back, I decided that I made it this far and I was not going to quit. I was raised to be hardworking and someone who will not give up so easily. Even though I felt defeated, I kept working hard. I found my style of photography, found my editing, and I have found my confidence. There are still times that I felt like giving up, but I ignore those thoughts and still work hard on my art.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am really committed to my photoshoots. I have clients who are waiting for their photos, and I want to do my best to deliver them as soon as possible. I would spend hours upon hours editing and searching Pinterest for inspiration. The longest I have taken is roughly four months. However, that was for a family member and I had other galleries that I needed to send to my clients.
I want the best for my clients. This is why I put my all into the editing process. Editing takes forever, but it is totally worth it. Especially when your client receives the gallery and sends me messages.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients would miss the joy and energy I bring to the photoshoots. I try really hard to make everything enjoyable, memorable, and energetic for everyone. I have been told by many that my photoshoots feel more like hanging out with a friend. I want to create a sense of belonging and community and it helps my clients feel right at home. That is something that I think my clients would miss the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meowartphotography.myportfolio.com/work
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meowartphotography.commissions/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-bourret-5b0152320/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095668835618
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/meowart-photography-fort-collins
Image Credits
William Bourret
