Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Layne.
Hi Tracy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a photographer for 15 years. It all started with what I thought was a huge like FAIL. Dropping out of college after 3 years because I couldn’t pass the most basic math requirements for an associates degree. I felt stupid. Like a quitter. It stayed with me for years. BUT, what I didn’t right away see, was that in the last semester before I dropped out, I took photography 101. And that one class launched what became a now 15 year very successful photography career that also bled into becoming a leader in my industry, teaching countless sold out workshops and classes, as well as opening up a studio of my own. And that adventure led to a whole other world of opportunity when I took my own private studio to a 4 location wide business, renting out studios to other creatives, White Space Studios.
I’ve taken a lot of risks, seen a lot of rewards, had some “fails”, and learned from it all.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Plenty of smooth sailing and of course plenty of struggle. I can go into detail if needed by typing will take a bit.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer of 15 years and have owned by studio business, White Space Studios for over 10 years now.
My photography encompasses family, newborn, birth and commercial work. About half commercial (shooting products or businesses) and half all the other things, depending on the season.
My studios include 4 locations, in Bountiful, Sandy, Provo and St. George. We also set up the studios to franchise all over the country, but are not currently accepting applications for franchises, long story.
I’m most proud that I haven’t quit when many did. Photographers rose in huge amounts over the last 10 years. So many took up this “hobby” and turned it into “work”, and with that increase, came competition, comparission and a large amount of creatives calling it quits. Establishing myself early as an educator really helped me weather that and continue to grow.
The studios a similar story. When I opened the first White Space, there were only a couple of studios in the state and most couldn’t really be accessed unless you “knew someone”. They were largely private. But once I shot in one I knew I needed my own, and once I had my own and saw how many people wanted to use mine, I saw a need, and I filled it. With huge, immediate success from my first location, I quickly got started building the second and third locations, and then our 4th, our biggest project yet as we were able to purchase the whole building, providing both the incpo,e of the studio as well as the start of our real estate investing. We now own two of our studio locations.
None of it possible without taking some major risks. Not knowing what the outcome would be, no way to gauge what it should look like. Just trusting I was doing what I thought was best, going on all in, and knowing that was enough.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Approachability. Being a person fellow creatives and clients felt at ease around, felt supported and seen by, has brought me the most beautiful relationships and experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tracylaynephotography.com and www.whitespacestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracylaynephotography/ and https://www.instagram.com/whitespacestudios/
