Central MA Up + Comer: Photographer Stefany Flynn

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Photographer Stefany Flynn's regular interaction with families helps her to appreciate the special little things about her own.

Stefany Flynn is the owner of Stefany Flynn Photography. Originally from Grafton, she currently lives in Auburn with her husband and daughter. Flynn has always had a passion for photography and started her training in Boston after leaving a corporate job behind in 2007. After her daughter's birth in 2010, she decided to make her dream come true and start her own photography business, focusing on family and child portraiture.

A Conversation with Stefany Flynn

SW: What type of photography does Stefany Flynn Photography specialize in?

SF: I am a natural light photographer who specializes in styled portraitures of children and families.

SW: What is the best thing about your career?

SF: The best thing about my job is being able to meet so many beautiful families. I love hearing their stories and being able to capture their true happiness in pictures. I never feel like I am going to work when I have a photo session, and paying so much attention to others has really opened up my eyes to the little joys in my own life.

SW: Can you describe a day in your life?

SF: Organized chaos! Being a mom to a 3-year-old, and owning my own business keeps me busy. You can find me either at a photo session, editing at my computer, or attending fun activities with my daughter. It's always a challenge balancing life with work. Since I love what I do so much, it never really feels like work at all.

SW: What is your dream career?

SF: My dream career would be doing exactly what I am doing now, but maybe working more on wildlife assignments or traveling to other countries to take photographs. I have always admired magazines such as National Geographic, and found the images taken from other cultures to be beautiful and eye opening.

SW: What is your favorite movie? Why?

SF: My favorite movie has to be Sideways. I love this movie because it was simple and focused on the characters. There was no fluff and no big special effects. The acting was terrific, and you really felt like you were a part of their lives. It was a beautiful story of love, loss, and the journey of aging.

SW: What type of music do you listen to?

SF: I mostly listen to rock. Pearl Jam is at the top of my list. However, I'm also a sucker for showtunes

SW: Do you have a favorite social networking site?

SF: My favorite social networking site is Facebook. It has evolved into such a great tool for business owners. I am able to reach my clients and potential clients on such a grand scale, and I have found it very easy to use.

SW: What do you do away from your career?

SF: I love traveling. I try to plan as many trips as I can every year. I love going somewhere I've never been before and exploring all that the world has to offer.

SW: Do you have a plan for getting involved in the community?

SF: I plan on getting involved with the Why Me and Sherry's House in Worcester very soon. It is a fantastic cause, and provides a loving and supportive home away from home for children with cancer. I want to be able to provide photography for the families of these children. I know how important photographs are, and to be able to preserve memories for these families would be a dream come true.

SW: Who or what is the biggest influence in your life?

SF: My biggest influence has been my daughter. As soon as she was born, I saw life in a totally different way than I ever had before. She has made me see beauty in the smallest things, and has taught me patience and love.

SW: What is a fun fact few people know about you?

SF: I took an acting class in Boston about 10 years ago to try and get over my shyness. I even got a role in a student film!

SW: What is your favorite quote?

SF: "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."

SW: What do you think creates success?

SF: I believe that success is achieved only by how you measure it. The greatest success in life only comes when you aren't beat down by failure.

SW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

SF: In 10 years, I hope to broaden my client base and be able to touch so many more lives through photographs.

Central MA Up + Comer is a weekly profile of a member of the next generation as they are making their mark on the Central MA workforce and community. Join us every Thursday for a look at the careers and lifestyles of the local digital generation. If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].

Susan Wagner is the president of Susan Wagner PR. In this challenging economy, she has begun a new division to offer affordable start-up packages to new and emerging small businesses and non-profit organizations that include professional writing services, websites, collateral, marketing, social media, grassroots outreach and PR campaigns.

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