People Centered Focus

Award winning wedding photographer Aaron Lockwood believes that personal relationships are the biggest benefit to growing your business. And, Lockwood has certainly mastered the art of treating each client like they are important. He does a great job of fostering relationships and “focusing” on what’s important to each individual client. The HappyCrawlers’ family has had the pleasure of knowing Aaron, his amazing wife and 3 adorable boys for years. They are truly a talented, generous and warm group of people. We had a chance to chat with Aaron about his talents and success as a professional photographer. Read how he continues to take his art to the next level. 
 

Name: Aaron Lockwood

Business: Aaron Lockwood Photography (www.aaronlockwoodphotography.com)

Where are you from: born in Canada and moved to Clearwater, FL in 1984

HappyCrawlers (aka kids): Ethan (7), Ephram (5), and Evan (2)

HC: Tell us about your lifelong dream?

Aaron: I was interested in photography starting in middle school. I would probably say my Dad’s interest in photography is how I discovered photography. My dad taught photography in Canada, so he was always taking pictures. I never learned from him though.  

HC: Most difficult obstacle you had to overcome to do what you love?

Aaron: I would probably say that just getting our name out there and letting people know we were around. I did a lot of networking, print ads, bridal shows and word of mouth in the beginning. I have always been optimistic and I’ll make anything work, so my attitude helped. In hindsight if I knew everything that it takes to run my own business I don’t know if I’d have been as confident, but not knowing and being confident helped with starting the business and getting our name out there. I have to say I’m glad that I’m not starting out in this economy though.

HC: Advice to others who might find themselves in similar situations?

Aaron: Personal relationships are the biggest benefit to your business. I’ve always been pretty good at approaching people. I’m really easy-going and don’t get frustrated or stressed out.

HC: We’ve always been impressed with how you work under pressure. You are very easy-going and that’s great in busy situations like weddings.

HC: What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer?

Aaron: The fact that I get to document milestones in people’s lives and that other generations will look back at the pictures we take for years to come. We play a part of special day (the wedding day) in couples’ lives.  

HC: How do you balance family and work?

Aaron: It’s really just a matter of keeping a disciplined schedule and sticking to it. It took me a long time to learn to do that though. I was working a ridiculous amount of hours when Ethan (oldest son) was little. I try not to work at home when the boys are awake now. When it’s family time, I try to keep to keep it family time.

HC: What motivates you to work harder?

Aaron: I think it’s always nice to have break points in my schedule that I can look forward to. It’s important to keep some weekends free and not always be shooting a wedding. I work hard and then play hard. I don’t do too much sitting around even in my off time.

HC: Tell us about a role model in your life?

Aaron: Definitely my Dad and also my photography teacher, Terry Alison, played a big role in my life. Terry taught me that it was viable to make photography my career. I picked portrait over commercial photography in order to work with people. I learned the love of portrait photography from Terry.

HC: Tell me about a role model who you have yet to meet?

Aaron: I don’t really look to others for inspiration because people disappoint you if you put them on pedestals. I’ve rubbed shoulders with famous people and I realize they are just people. They are just normal people.

HC: Favorite story of your little happy crawlers?

Aaron: Not too long ago I was giving Evan (youngest son) a bath and he said the water was “too hot” and I said, “it’s not hot”. He said, “it’s hot”, I said, “not hot”. And he goes to me, “It’ hot to me”. He won that argument. He was standing and refused to sit in the bath. It was funny.

Is there someone who motivates and inspires you? Who would you like to see profiled on the HappyCrawlers’ blog? Email us at: hello@HappyCrawlers.com with your recommendations. Happy travels!