Focus Headshots: Focus Amidst Chaos

By: Dustin Brown

In a year clouded by a global pandemic, small businesses everywhere have faced great challenges to carry on amid uncertainty. Despite the complications of 2020, our very own India Holland and Sydnee Lubar have been steadily and safely growing Focus Headshots, a professional and affordable headshot organization catered to students on campus. India is currently pursuing a BA in Sociology with a Marketing Sales track and Minor in Art and Design, while Sydnee is pursuing a BA in Communication & Media with a Minor in Entrepreneurship. The two of them met on our Creative team last year and recognized they could combine their shared interest in photography with their business sensibilities to bring a well-needed service to students. We sat down with them to hear more about how their brand came to be, how they’ve evolved their strategy in response to COVID-19, and what advice they’d give to other students looking to start their own businesses.

How did each of your interests in photography start?

I: My mom is a very artistic person. From as early as I can remember she always had a camera with her, so I was exposed to photography a lot growing up. Then, in high school I took three years of photography classes and really enjoyed it, and now I’m minoring in Art and Design here with a focus in photography.

S: My interest in photography started a little differently. My parents aren’t very artistic, but they had a DSLR camera they would use to take pictures traveling. When I was younger I picked it up and would experiment with it, and then in high school I also took photography classes. I used the camera for a project I did on scoliosis and advocacy and that’s when it really clicked for me.

What motivated you to create Focus and work together?

S: India and I had noticed there was a problem on Michigan’s campus with accessibility. The business school offers students professional development opportunities, but they’re inaccessible to students with other majors. The two of us came together and felt we could create an affordable, easy headshot service on campus for people who don’t have access to business school resources.

I: I also remember I had friends that would come to me asking for headshots because they were never happy with the ones they would get. I felt motivated to start Focus because I was confident that Sydnee and I could take headshots of people that they would genuinely like.

How has your business changed due to COVID-19?

S: We definitely had to change how we operate coming into this semester. We added the Law Quad as an outdoor option for our clients and we wear masks during the full shoots. We’re also able to be socially distanced when taking photos because we’re already six feet apart during the process.

I: One challenge we’ve been facing is cancellations due to COVID exposures. However, everyone is so understanding right now and we all just do our best during this unique time. When we do have healthy people on both sides of the camera, we’re still able to do our job effectively with the health precautions we’ve added.

Are either of you currently practicing photography outside of the Focus business?

I: This semester I’m taking a film photography class, spending a lot of time developing photography in the University’s dark rooms. It’s been a fun experience processing and printing my own film. Other than that, being on the MFMS Digital Team and photographing our fashion photo shoots is a fun way for me to try out different ideas I have.

S: My focus outside of our brand is more on the marketing and business side, so I’m not currently working on other photography projects. Our business has been great for me to keep up with it, and I’m really grateful for India and our teamwork.

What are some words of advice you can give to students looking to start their own business?

S: I'd definitely say just go for it. There’s no other time in your life that the risks are this low. If you see a real problem on campus, there’s no harm in trying to solve it. I’d also say to make sure you have the time to commit to the project you’re starting. India and I built our business model to be flexible with our schedules, because at the end of the day we’re still students and have other commitments.

I: In the past, I’ve had ideas that I’ve thought too much about and talked myself out of doing. With this project, Sydnee and I had the idea and just hit the ground running. My advice would be to start with a basic plan and build your business out as you go, seeing where it takes you.

We hope you enjoyed getting the bigger picture of the faces behind the camera. Want to keep up with Focus? Show your support and follow India and Sydnee over at @focusheadshots on Instagram or book an appointment on their site, focus-headshots.com.