Welcome to another edition of our Member Spotlight Series on the Madison Mompreneur blog! This series will help you get to know the members of Madison Mompreneur as we ask them questions about their personal and professional life as moms who own businesses in the Madison, Alabama area.

We are continuing this series with the spotlight on Lyssa Barrow, Owner of Lyssa Barrow Photography!

1. What’s your Name? Lyssa Barrow
2. What’s your Business Name? Lyssa Barrow Photography
3. How does your business help people? Capturing my clients’ memories of their loved ones and their life moments or showing them how to explore photography on their own thru my workshops
4. How long have you lived in Madison? 8 years
5. What inspired you to start your business? I love love love photography and friends and family wanted me to keep taking their photos so I felt it was time to do it professionally. 
6. What sets your business apart from others in the industry? Light Vibes, Fun Sessions and photo packages for everyone.
7. What do you consider to be your biggest success so far? My Happy Clients
8. How does your business contribute to the local community? I use my time and talent for volunteer work with a local non-profit as their photographer
9. How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years? I would like to double my bookings in 2025

10. Who are your typical customers and how do they find you? Parents of Seniors and Families (Moms and Grandmas) and they find me on social media or client referrals or thru my non-profit work
11. What do you enjoy most about running your business? The creativity
12. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes? First with continuing education thru workshops and then when implementing new trends I do so very selectively, the trends and changes in photography can be fleeting and don’t usually fit with my target clients but am flexible and willing to accommodate requests for the newest trends in photography. 
13. What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry? Build your portfolio and have fun practicing with it. Make the investment in software and equipment which will help you achieve the look you want. Learn to balance your time especially when it comes to editing. 
15. What product/service would you like for us to highlight at this time? My Portrait Photography Packages (Families, Seniors, Proms and Headshots)

16. Do you involve your kids in your business? If yes, how so? No except to have them take my photo! My son is a pretty good photographer!
17. What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing mommyhood and business life? Trying not to see yourself thru your kids eyes…I’m mostly done with hands on mommyhood as my youngest is close to Flown and Grown. But as I was slowly building my skills as they grew, it was easy to feel like an imposter as my children just saw me as mommy, not a professional in any way. You have to not let that feed into your imposter syndrome. They love you but you will always be mom to them and that’s okay. 
18. What business in the Madison Area is your favorite? Willow boutique in Vintage 72
19. Anything else you would like for us to highlight? I also have private photography workshops where I teach others to use their DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras without relying on the Auto setting.
Where can people find you? www.lyssabarrowphotography.com

If Lyssa’s experience as a mom and business owner resonates with you, we want to hear from you in the comments! And if you are a mom and business owner in Madison, Alabama email us at madisonmompreneur@gmail.com to be featured in a future Member Highlight post!

Want to read more mompreneur-focused content? Check out these previous Member Highlight blog posts:

To support more mom-owned businesses serving Madison, Alabama, check out our Member Directory!