Always on the Lookout
by Misty J Hoytowner/lead photographer
People often ask me how I find my team members. Oh sure, like everyone else, I sometimes use on-line resources like Indeed (where we found our latest Rockstar assistants) and Zip Recruitor. Heck, even LinkedIn has a job board now.
However, while out and about I meet and take documentation of those who, I believe, would treat my clients the way I honor Photography by Misty’s Dallas headshot consumers. A genuine smile speaks volumes to me, and those who go above and beyond their expected call of duty are exactly who I would want repping our brand.
If you know me, you probably already know the story of My Jenny, who I worked with for years while taking pictures of children at Cat & The Fiddle in Plano. She is the first person I ever hired, and it was her attention to detail when helping CATF clients choose just the right nursery furniture that caught my interest. She has now been with me for 9 years, is the right, Jenny? And … I am so proud of her: Jenny has gone from tiny, but necessary, tasks to top associate photographer.
I met Associate Photographer Kenneth at church where he was the Children's Minister and Michael and I volunteered, Alleah I met while she was working at a coffee shop, and Terry was an intern at a studio my client rented for branding photography.
And it’s Terry’s story in which I would like to take a deeper dive. So Terry’s job that day at the studio was to make sure the door was unlocked upon our arrival, he was to hold down the post if we jetted for lunch and he was to ensure the million-dollar studio was under lock and key at the end of the day. Nothing more was expected of him. Most guys his age would have played on their phones, taken a nap, gone out back to smoke a little smoke… you get the idea.
Not Terry. He helped set up technology that we hadn’t used before. He took it upon himself to download pictures as we shot them instead of us waiting until day’s end (which more than likely would have kept us an additional hour or more). Although my associate photographer Kenneth and I were busy shooting, orchestrating the shots, working with new families or groups of children every 45 minutes, Terry’ attention to detail and non-invasive way of helping behind the scenes was obvious.
During lunch on Day 2 of our branding shoot for Goliath Games, I told Terry that I ever needed a new editor, he’d be the first person I would call. Kenneth assured him, “If Misty said she’s interested, she’ll call when the time is right.” In January 2020, the time wasn’t right. I had an editor I was perfectly thrilled with, from his attention to detail to his 100% focus when immersed in a project.
However, a few months later I found myself editor-less. Time to call Terry. Not only did he say yes, but now he is also our main product photographer. During the past 1.5 years, he has shot $2000 pieces of artwork curated in California, teeny tiny microchips which are shipped to NASA and beyond, beer glasses and oh-so-much more.
My eyes and ears and sixth sense are always hyper aware, on the lookout for the next Photography by Misty team member. Our passion for people is what propels us to create the best photography for you, your loved ones and your company.
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