From Trader Joe’s crew member
to photography business owner

With everything that is happening right now, I have been feeling grateful that I took the leap to full-time photographer 4 years ago. Yes, my business is taking a hit at the moment. However, I feel fortunate that I get to stay home and shelter in place, keeping myself and others safe by staying away. There was a time when I would have been an “essential worker” as a Trader Joe’s employee. 

From shortly after college graduation to the spring of 2016, I was able to have a paycheck and flexible schedule to pursue photography working at this friendly grocery chain. I now see posts from my friends and former coworkers about what it’s like to be out there, every day, serving long lines of people who need groceries to live on while they cannot leave home. 

So, to reflect on my time in this role, I have come up with a list of skills I acquired in my time there and how they have made me a better photographer and business owner today. 

People skills 

I learned how to approach people to ask for caption info in college as part of my photojournalism studies. However, working at TJ’s taught me how to start real conversations with strangers. I only had a handful of minutes while helping ring groceries to make a connection.

I learned how to read nonverbal clues from people on how much or how little they wanted to chat and also find ways to start conversations based on what they are wearing or buying. I credit my ability to make people quickly at ease with me to my time there.

Work in high-intensity situations while remaining calm

It was working the Sunday shift at Trader Joe’s that made me realize that I thrived in high-pressure situations. If you didn’t know, Sunday is the busiest food shopping day of the week, and I loved that shift. When the store would fill up and items were flying off the shelves faster than we could stock them, I was in my element. Give me a task list and send me on my way, I will get that done with maximum efficiency. I learned how to work with a sense of urgency without giving in to the frantic energy of the situation. 

I discovered that I am very good at being the calm, level headed person while chaos swirls around me. It’s why I love photographing weddings. When I have a plan and know what needs to be done, I figure out options A through G when a wrench inevitably gets thrown into the works. 

Customer service

Through the amazing customer service policies at Trader Joe’s, I learned about how small acts can leave big impacts on customers/clients.

I learned the importance of going above and beyond for your customer so people don’t just leave with what they need, but with a great experience as well. Little things like opening a product to try in the store can make someone’s day and send them off with a smile. Everyone has to buy groceries, but they know at Trader Joe’s they’ll have an experience of unique products, friendly service, and staff that will go the extra mile to make sure you get what you need.

I’m always thinking of ways to implement more of this kind of service into my own business. 

Integrity

This is a key word for employees that manifested in many different ways. From how we conducted ourselves personally to supporting the customers.

If a sign was in the wrong place, they would always honor the price marked. Didn’t like the product? Return it!

They have so many new products on a regular basis that it’s important people aren’t afraid to take a risk and bring it home. More often than not, it would become someone’s new favorite thing. But, if it ended up not being to your taste, or spoiled before the expiration date, customers never had to question whether or not they could bring it back. I love that now, as just a shopper, I can buy something I’m curious about and know that they stand behind what they stock. 

Maintaining a happy smile while exhausted

Some days I just wasn’t feeling it. My shift would often start at 5 or 6am and there were days that there just wasn’t enough coffee in the world. However, I never wanted my mood to darken someone else’s day. Sometimes forcing myself to start a cheery conversation with someone actually improved my own mood and improved the day for myself. 

I learned to find a positive to latch onto or something to be excited about to get me through to nap time (aka the end of my shift).  

These skills come into play during fall season when every moment of every day is booked solid. Also on long wedding days when vendor dinner is not served soon enough and I can feel the hangry starting to rear its head. When I’m at the end of my rope I look for the beauty around me. Fun moments between guests, families connecting in adorable ways, there is always something in my work that lifts my spirits and I push on.

To show my support for all the people currently on the front lines:

I am now offering one-for-one local family sessions. If you’ve been appreciating your family a little extra lately (I know, it comes in waves, sometimes it’s not so much) and feel able to invest in a family photo session at this time, please do!

Interested to see these skills in action? Let’s chat!