Meet Erica Derrickson of Ericaseye Photography in Fort Point

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Derrickson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My photography business was born in a moment of crisis. I was working a job I hated and it became painfully clear to me that something had to change. After a lot of inner turmoil, I quit my job to pursue my passions for photography and film acting. It was scary. I remember the day I told my boss that “I quit.” It was both liberating and frightening. I got in my car to leave and I burst out crying. At the same moment, a torrential rainstorm erupted. It was like a scene from a movie: me gripping the steering wheel, tears running down my cheeks, rain pelting the windshield, me crying out “What have I done?! I was terrified.

But I didn’t let my fear stop me. I stumbled forward into my dreams with little idea of what I was doing and no backup plan or fund to pay my bills. The beginning was an awkward moment living on credit cards and good karma, and somehow each month I made it happen.

When I started I didn’t have a studio. People came to my house in Malden and I would shoot them on my roof. It was precarious, but that’s the nature of a startup. I did the best with what I had, including using overturned paint buckets to get a little height on my subjects (I’m 5′ 3″ and I didn’t have a ladder). To this day, I advise people who are trying to big things: “You have to stand on paint cans!” That means doing what you can with what you have and not making excuses.

In the five years since then my acting and photography careers have flourished. Looking back, I can’t imagine doing one without the other. I was determined, committed, and proactive and as I became involved in the local film scene I met more and more actors who needed headshots. Eventually, I built a reputation as one of the top headshot photographers in Boston.

Today I’m proud to say that I have a full service studio in Boston where I serve actors, CEOs and startups. I also do a lot of work with families and enjoy telling love stories through wedding and engagement photography. This is not a rags to riches story. But every morning I wake up excited to be alive, to use my talents, and literally to make people smile. I love what I do!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I started my headshot photography career, I had recently quit my full time job so finances were tight and my self-confidence was low. At that point I didn’t have a body of work or reputation to lean on. I was an unknown entity in Boston and I had to build myself little by little. I got a loan to buy a refurbished camera and a used portrait lens off Craigslist and started shooting headshots for my actor friends. I apprenticed with some local portrait photographers and started learning the business. I pieced together paying work from photography, graphic design and some brand promotion work. By 2012 I rented a desk in a creative incubator space called Foundry24 in Charlestown where I was surrounded by innovators, dreamers, artists and entrepreneurs. I taught myself how to build a website and absorbed the basics of entrepreneurship from the other people around me. I started marketing myself on social media, polishing my skills and hosting events for actors, and slowly, little by little, I became well known within the local film community as being one of the best headshot photographers in Boston.

The hardest part was dealing with the uncertainty from month to month, never being sure if I would be able to pay my rent, moving forward with faith and giving thanks for each month that passed where I could string together enough work to pay my bills. It was a difficult road that required a lot of endurance, creative thinking and personal growth, I’m proud today looking back at the obstacles and fears I had to overcome to be where I am today.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ericaseye Photography by Erica Derrickson – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Today everyone needs a headshot. Whether you’re networking for business on LinkedIn or looking for love online, at some point you will realize that you need a photo that makes you look awesome. And that’s where I come in. I specialize in creating headshots that make people attracted to you, intrigued by you, and want to learn more about you. That’s my specialty and I love it. I work with people who are trying to make a change in their lives, whether it’s to find a new job, a new love, or a career as an actor. I help my clients get there and that gives me great satisfaction. One thing that sets me apart from other photographers is that I genuinely take an interest in you and what you are trying to achieve. I have a knack at making even extreme introverts comfortable in front of my lens, because I’m a little crazy.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I listened to my market last season and heard that they wanted more low cost options for my services, so this year I’m launching my new Headshot Clinic series. This is a bi-monthly event where I see multiple clients in one day for mini sessions that deliver the killer headshots my clients need for LinkedIn, dating websites or pursuing an acting career. This offer is at a fraction of my normal session cost and people can learn more about it on my website.

I’m also putting more of an emphasis on building my wedding photography portfolio this season and I am offering some awesome discounts to the next few couples who want to work with me.

One last thing people should know about me is that I only shoot for the spring and summer seasons in Boston. The rest of the year I like to go backpacking in Asia. During that time I proudly maintain a vibrant social media presence including a YouTube channel with over one million views where people can follow me on my adventures.

Pricing:

• Headshot Clinic ($179)
• One Great Headshot ($250)
• Basic Actors Headshots ($450)
• Modeling Comp Card ($750)
• Kids, Families or Maternity Session ($250)
• Couples (Engagement) Session ($250)
• Event Photography (please inquire)
• Wedding Photography (please inquire)

Contact Info:

• Address: Erica Derrickson
  Elevin Studios
  15 Channel Center St, Ste 102
  Boston MA 02210
• Website: www.ericaseye.com
• Phone: 9783324904
• Email: ericaderricka@gmail.com

Image Credit:
@ Erica Derrickson (www.ericaseye.com), picture in the blue background is Erica

Erica’s headshot courtesy of Nile Hawver of Nile Scott Shots