We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Gregg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I thought if I started my own business I’d have all of the freedom in the world, annnnnnnnd I could do things as I wanted. Between staying relevant, keeping up with evolving systems and technology, being the head of social media, and customer relationships just to name a few, that couldn’t be further from the truth. However, I started my own business because I wanted to be in control of my own time. As a single parent, my mother did the best she knew how (I don’t play about my mama) but because of that, she missed a lot of my school and extra curricular activities. I knew that the only way to be actively involved in my family’s events, I had to work for myself. I enjoy the luxury of not asking someone else if I am able to leave work early to go to my daughter’s tee ball game. I especially love the fact that I don’t have to get the approval of time off from someone else to take my parents to a doctor’s appointment. With my husband’s crazy schedule of 24 hours working, 48 hours off, I knew this was the only way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For various reasons, I enjoy shooting multiple types of photography. Weddings, families, brands, and couples, I enjoy servicing them all. However, babies are an exception. I always say “Don’t bring me no baby!” I say it jokingly but mean it wholeheartedly, I can’t replace them.

My proudest moments are when I see the growth in my images. Entrepreneurship has been far from easy. It is a journey not for the weak. I had to keep a positive mindset and always remember my “Why”. My mom has always told me that my attitude will determine my altitude.

Smile and Reflect isn’t just photography because I am not just photography. I’m multi-passionate. As much as I get told “I thought you were going to be mean when I first saw you” I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their backgrounds, what shapes them. Truth is I’m often staring into space because I have some sort of idea that I want to bring to fruition. Stay tuned, there’s so much more to come from Stephanie Gregg.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m always traveling but if I had to take my friends to a place that I’m familiar with, we’re going to Florence, SC. For breakfast we’re having some girl talk, coffee and danishes at The Bean Bar. Then we’re going to Micky Finns so we can get some Lila to pregame later. For lunch, I’m thinking a #19 from Palmetto Subs and we can go to the park to people watch and eat. Since they’re coming from out of town, we HAVE to get a room at Hotel Florence and have dinner at Victors so we won’t have too far to walk. We can end the night getting some gelato from Chocobellas for a sweet treat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to acknowledge my husband, mom, and friends.

While I may not be the best at showing my gratitude all of the time, my husband is my biggest supporter. If it involves me going to another city for a few days or hyper-focusing on a task, HE IS GOING TO FUSS, but he will also say “do what you have to do bae.”

I know my mother worries about the outcome of my future and hasn’t always been in support of my non-traditional photography career, but when we sit down and discuss business over a few cocktails, I know she’s in support of, what she affectionately calls, “Reflection of Smiles” (as long as I give it my all). She’s even got in the habit of calling me when she sees buildings available for rent as studio space.

My friends, I DARE NOT mention a name, because if I forget one… they like to tussle, are always sending me content ideas, reviewing galleries before I send them, and just being understanding when I have to go incognito for a few days to focus. I truly appreciate it.

Website: https://www.smileandreflect.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smileandreflectphotography?igsh=MWszZHFxcGR3cTVudg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smileandreflect?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
@lashaypricephotography
@erindanielphotographyllc
@mharris_studios

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.