Ingrid Barnhart Photography | Virtual Assistant for Photographers

Let me introduce you to,

Ingrid
Ingrid Barnhart Photography

Why did you become a photographer?

I’ve always been curious about photography because it was my dad’s hobby. I remember watching him capture moments and tell stories through his lens, and I guess I just came with that passion, too! As I grew up, I realized how much I loved expressing my creativity through photography. It became a way for me to capture emotions and preserve memories, and that’s what inspired me to pursue it as a career.

Tell us your story? How you started until now?

I’m originally from Colombia and moved to the U.S. 12 years ago. In high school, I discovered my passion for photography, but I always viewed it as more of a hobby than a career. I went to college in Colombia and earned two degrees, but at 35, I decided to take a leap of faith and explore life in a new country. I wanted to learn English and immerse myself in a different culture.

I started my photography journey like many others, exploring different genres, but one thing I always knew was that I wanted to work with women. After becoming a mom, I focused on family and wedding photography for a few years. Then, almost four years ago, I decided to make a complete change and essentially start over. I created a home studio, learned studio lighting, and now I specialize in boudoir, maternity, branding, glamour, and headshots. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful to be living my dream!

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is any woman, at any stage and age, but I often work with women over 35 or 40. This includes moms embracing their beautiful maternity journey, business owners celebrating their accomplishments, and women marking milestones like overcoming an illness or achieving weight loss goals. I love capturing these powerful moments of transformation and celebration, helping every woman feel seen, empowered, and radiant. Whether it’s a portrait session or a boudoir shoot, my mission is to honor their stories and be highlight their strength and beauty.

What is your WHY... what keeps you going in business? And why are you passionate about it?

I’m deeply passionate about helping my clients feel and look incredible. I think every girl or teenager dreams of being a model or seeing themselves in a magazine at least once. As we grow up, life gets busy—marriage, kids, careers—and those dreams get buried under all the responsibilities. But there comes a point when we need to reconnect with who we are.

As a mom of two daughters, I want to show them how important it is to never forget about themselves. It’s so easy to put everyone else first, but I want them to know they deserve to celebrate who they are, at every stage. And that’s what keeps me going—showing women that treating themselves to a beautiful, magazine-style portrait isn’t just fun; it’s a way to honor themselves. Life changes fast, and we won’t be the same next year. We should capture who we are now because every phase is worth remembering.

Where do you see your business in the next few years?

In the next few years, I see my business growing into a recognized brand that stands for women’s achievements and the celebration of life. A brand known for encouraging women to embrace their journey and honor their milestones through art.

Tell me about how you manage your work/life balance as a small business owner?

As a mom of two young daughters, life is definitely busy! I describe myself as a full-time mom and photographer, constantly jumping between both roles. To maintain balance, I don’t take clients on weekends so I can focus on family time. During the weekdays, I handle everything—shooting, marketing, editing, and running the business.

Shooting or editing? Which one is your fav?

ShootingShooting is definitely my favorite! I enjoy editing too, but I do get tired of being in the same position for long stretches, so I make sure to take breaks.!

What do you listen to while you edit?

Podcast

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger photographer-self, what would it be?

If I could give advice to my younger photographer self, I’d say to dive into the business side of photography much earlier. While taking great images is important, the reality is that most of the time, you’re not behind the camera—you’re managing a business. Understanding marketing, pricing, client relations, and workflow from the start would have made a huge difference.

If you could give feedback to the photography community as a whole... what is one positive thing you'd say? And one constructive criticism?

Focus on getting better and comfortable with your craft before you start charging for it. Once you’re ready to offer paid services, ensure your business is profitable by charging accordingly and valuing your work. It’s essential to recognize your worth and not undervalue the immense effort you put into your art.

This profession is a lot more than just pressing a button. If people knew how much photographers have to learn, decide, and execute, they would appreciate the complexity behind our work. As a community, we should be more transparent about the depth of what we do so others can better understand and respect the value of our services.

If you had no obstacles (fear, money, mindset etc) - what would you do next?

I’d live in a different country for a couple of years