Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Photography by Sissela!
Three questions with Sissela Johansson, founder of Photography by Sissela.
Why did you start your business?
I have always wanted to be my own boss. I was never very good at working in a traditional 9-5 setting and when I finally discovered that I needed to live and breathe creativity, there was no other way than opening up my own business. Eventually, I discovered that there was a lot more purpose to my decision than I initially realized. I used to be a professional plus-size model, but also grew up being bullied severely about my size. Those two things combined gave me a beautiful perspective on body image, self-confidence and self-worth. I helped me realize that I wanted to help girls and women feel good about themselves. In the beginning, I wanted to inspire them through my modeling but I later learned, that through my photography I could do a much greater difference.
Now, I run my portrait studio here in the States after immigrating from Denmark in 2016. Every day, I deal with women wanting to feel good about themselves, wanting to rediscover themselves and wanting to remind themselves of the woman they are, free of all the other titles including mother, wife, daughter, and worker. They just want to embrace their inner individuality and be reminded that they are still truly beautiful and worthy. In return, I provide them with beautiful heirloom portraits that are both archival and museum-quality, made to last 120+ years. Portraits they can pass down to their children and children’s children, forever immortalized as the amazing women they are.
My best selling service is by far my beauty inspired portrait sessions. Here, my clients get to experience full-on pampering from the moment they step in through the door. They get to have their hair and makeup done by a professional hair and makeup artist and they get to dress up and be the center of attention. It is all about them.
My best selling products is a tie between my beautiful folio box where my clients get to choose a number of matted prints for their box and my 24x36 matted wall art. It pretty much describes my two types of clients – the ones who want something impactful on their walls and the ones who want something they can take out and look at from time to time.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
I have a number of amazing hair and makeup artists that I work with. I used to print locally too, but I, unfortunately, had to change distributor due to a specific product I needed.
- Rachel Toussaint from Rachel Toussaint Makeup Artistry LLC
- Kelsey Morey from Haus of Pretty (Westport)
- Allison Sammel from Elegant Beauty Studios
All of them are amazing, talented and strong, independent business owners that I absolutely love working with!
Photography by Sissela tags Candi Sterling, owner of Candi Marie Beauty.
Visit Photography by Sissela online here.
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!