We had the good fortune of connecting with Teanna Woods Okojie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Teanna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Around my second year attending college, at Brooks Institute of photography. I developed a deeper interest in Portraiture, and the niche market of Children’s and Teens Fashion. I’d always been interested in the fashion industry. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to translate my interest into a photography career. Once I gained more comfortability with my photography skills, I knew I wanted to expand upon that interest in my future business. In 2010, I moved forward with pursuing a career in the Children and Teens Fashion industry, focusing on the commercial market. After graduating from Brooks, one of my first shooting opportunities was with Vogue Bambini Magazine, {children’s fashion magazine}. I did a freelance fashion show for them and could really see myself in that space, continuing to elevate within that niche market. As the years went on, I developed a desire to expand my business. I had a desire to expand my photography business, as a platform to explore different creative projects and develop my brand. I wanted to incorporate my love for working with children and families into my business. There were a number of different opportunities that came my way and I took full advantage of them. Around 2013, I restructured my business plan, with a focus on developing different streams of income while pursuing new creative projects. I began pursuing photography work in the following fields; documentary and humanitarian portraiture, teaching photographic seminars/one-on-one courses, nonprofit organizations, B corporations, creating content for fundraising campaigns, and learning videography. I also kept previous clients in the e-commerce and commercial field. In 2018 I developed my online store, T. Woods Artist Shop, which is powered by Threadless, once again providing another stream of income for my business. Where I sell commercial items imprinted with my photography images such as; apparel, accessories, fine art prints and home decor. Multiple streams of income has provided me with the opportunity to not only continue to explore myself creatively, but also stabilize my business’s income. I started off desiring to be a part of the Children and Teens Fashion industry. As I continued to work in the photography field and gain foundational business knowledge, I was able to incorporate all the other creative outlets listed above. I do want to add that I really enjoy working for myself, pushing myself creatively and gaining important business knowledge for growing my brand. The tip I have for creatives still trying to sort out what type of business they want to establish. Take advantage of the FREE resources available to you, create a business plan, {go on Pinterest they have wonderful templates} and be open to incorporating new creative strategies that can financially build your brand and business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Liberty Station, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Taco Shop; get rolled tacos or a Cali burrito

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So much love to all who’ve supported my creative journey! This shout out is dedicated to you! Thank you to; My husband, Peter, my supportive parents, my inspirational sisters, and my extended family. To my niece Emane, who inspired me to pursue portraiture. My global church community, my High School photography teacher. All my college mentors and professional mentors. My creative community and dearest chosen family {you know who you are}. To all those I’ve had the honor to photograph all over the globe, my work is nothing without you.

Website: https://www.teewoodsphotography.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoodsphoto/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teannawoods/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/twoodsphoto
Facebook: http://facebook.com/twoodsphotography
Other: T.Woods Photo Artist Shop https://twoodsphoto.threadless.com/

Image Credits
TEANNA WOODS OKOJIE T.WOODS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC