Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Burby.
Hi Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has been part of my family for generations. My grandfather was a photographer for the federal government during the Great Depression, and my dad was a photography enthusiast. I was drawn to the mix of science and creativity—the technical process of making an image and the possibilities for expression.
I started taking darkroom classes in high school and continued studying photography through college. During and after college, I worked for other photographers and eventually taught photography at the college level. I also lived in Italy, where I fell in love with art history. That experience led me to finish my degree in art history with an emphasis in photography, and I went on to work in galleries and a museum.
In 2004, I opened Photoumbra Studios. Over the years, I’ve explored just about every type of photography. I initially specialized in weddings, then shifted toward senior portraits and families. For the past ten years, my focus has been corporate photography, headshots, and branding. Each chapter has shaped how I see and work, bringing together my love of art, the craft of photography, and the people in front of my camera.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a winding road, with plenty of bumps along the way. Studying photography thoroughly gave me a strong foundation in the craft, but the industry has undergone enormous technological changes since I started in the early 1990s. Staying adaptable has been a constant part of the journey.
The business side took a lot of figuring out, especially early on, when there weren’t nearly as many online resources available. Knowing how to create beautiful photographs and knowing how to run a sustainable business are different skills, and I had to learn both.
I’ve also experienced burnout, particularly in 2014. A trip back to Italy helped reignite my passion and reconnect me with what drew me to photography and art in the first place.
Over time, I learned to set boundaries, price for profitability, and structure the business to prevent common problems. I also developed systems that help my team and me work efficiently while delivering a consistent, high-end experience for our clients. Those lessons were hard-earned, but they’ve helped me build a business that supports both the work I love and the life I want to live.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Photoumbra Studios?
Photoumbra Studios specializes in professional headshots and personal and business branding photography. We work with everyone from entrepreneurs to executives and corporate teams. Our studio is in Herriman, and we also bring our photography setup to offices and events throughout Salt Lake County, Utah County, and Park City.
Our work helps people communicate who they are and what they bring to their business. That might mean an approachable headshot, consistent portraits across an entire team, or a collection of branding images that shows the people, spaces, and work behind a company. We also offer on-site headshot stations with instant delivery for conferences and corporate events.
What sets us apart is the combination of technical expertise, thoughtful planning, and personal attention. With more than thirty years behind the camera, I bring a strong understanding of lighting and composition, but helping someone feel comfortable is just as essential. Many clients arrive convinced they don’t photograph well. We guide them through wardrobe, posing, and expression so they don’t have to figure it out themselves.
We’ve also put a lot of care into making the experience easy, with clear pricing, efficient sessions, and quick delivery. For busy professionals and teams, that matters.
I’m proud of our Best of State and Best of SLC recognition, but especially proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients. Our hundreds of five-star reviews reflect the experience as much as the photographs.
What I’d like readers to know is that you don’t need to know how to pose or feel naturally confident in front of a camera to have photographs you’re proud to share. That’s where our guidance comes in. We help you create polished images that feel like you and support the way you want your business to be seen.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something people might not know is that I started as a fine art photographer, exhibiting my work in art galleries and selling my darkroom prints at festivals. Most people know me today for corporate headshots and branding photography, but creating work for artistic expression has always been part of who I am.
When I retire, I hope to return to that part of my photography more fully, producing limited-edition work and photography books. It feels like coming full circle, bringing everything I’ve learned back to where I began.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.photoumbra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoumbra_studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photoumbrastudios
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/photoumbra/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrUcBtJb7IQhZmmO9EGzlWw?sub_confirmation=1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/photoumbra-studios-herriman-2?osq=Photoumbra+Studios
