Steen Photography: Running a Business from Home in Oakland Township

A fellow Oakland Township mom I know runs a business out of her home. Thinking that maybe others would be interested in hearing how she does it, I interviewed her.  In this article, I’ll cover what her business offers and how she got started, and in a future story, I’ll share her wisdom about the practicalities of working from home.

Pamela Steen runs Steen Photography, which offers “on-site, lifestyle, portrait photography at your home, favorite park or other location.”

She takes an approach to photo sessions which I personally find very appealing, saying, “I have a passion for capturing spontaneous expressions of love, the personality of each individual and the beauty found in a relationship. Simply put, your life – captured.”

Steen continued: “It always takes a little time to warm up to having a camera focused on you, and relaxing my subjects with humor, light conversation and some lightly posed pictures to start helps ease into the session.  As soon as you are relaxed, exchange a spontaneous glance, hug or kiss, are ‘in the moment’ and connecting with others, or are simply enjoying being yourself – that’s when my camera shutter flies.”  

What is Steen looking for as she watches the photo shoot progress?

“The moments that we want to remember, decorate our walls with, share with others," said Steen. "They show ourselves captured in the most beautiful way, displaying the joy and love from within.”  

Her philosophy is: “Don’t rush anything, enjoy every moment, fall in love with the connections I see through the lens and grasp those golden moments … they are real and moving.”

When asked about her favorite part of her job, Steen responds that it's whatever session or project she is editing at the moment. But that’s not all. 

She also thoroughly enjoys the point in a photo shoot when everyone relaxes and starts interacting with each other and becoming less conscious of her and her camera.  She says those moments are “the real moments.”  

In fact, she even likes editing the images.

“I find myself getting choked up when I’m looking at images captured of a mom embracing her child," said Steen, "or a dad spontaneously kissing his son because it was a natural moment in the session that allowed him to realize the significance of the child he’s next to.

"Or the laughter between siblings caught being silly, or a high school senior who, in a click of a shutter, relaxed and gave a knowing look of 'this is special; I am special.’  It’s not uncommon for me to sit with a box of tissues as I edit a series of images, thinking, ‘Yes, we got it!’”  

And of course, she loves the feedback from satisfied customers. After posting images for comments on Steen Photography’s Facebook page, the response is fast and rewarding. 

She also remarks that Oakland Township offers great settings for her line of work. If new clients aren’t sure where they want to hold their photo session, she has plenty of suggestions.

“I am inspired by the beauty that surrounds me in Oakland Township," said Steen. "There are so many beautiful options here: the meadows at Bear Creek Park colored by the seasonal wild flowers growing there, the gorgeous weathered wood on the building at the Rochester Cider Mill ... Paint Creek Trail that looks special in any season, and so many more.”

Steen learned the basics of photography when she served as a photographer, film and photo developer and layout designer for her high school yearbook. While in school at Michigan State University, she took some photography courses before earning a degree as a Child and Family Therapist and launching her career. 

Eventually she began a ten-year stint running a successful Creative Memories Scrapbooking business from home. She was also busy becoming the mom of three beautiful daughters. 

Eventually, she began to feel the call to follow her passion for photography more directly. With the support of her husband, she studied to revamp her skills for the world of digital photography. In 2007, she launched Steen Photography. 

“It felt right from the beginning,” said Steen. “I’m humbled by how much joy comes from doing the work that I love.”  

Note: As a special offer for Oakland Township Patch readers, Steen will take $20 off a session fee or $20 off a print order on any new session scheduled now through April 30, 2011 for those who mention they heard about Steen Photography through Patch.