mall. But in 2015, Lydia met her
now-boyfriend, Tyler, at a worship
conference, and he encouraged her to
get back into her business full-time.
“I quit my mall jobs and started
advertising every day through social
media and word of mouth,” Lydia
says. “It was like night and day. I was
receiving multiple inquiries everyday
and making a name for myself in the
photography industry. There’s always
dry spells, but overall I remain busy
and am always shooting.”
“I never would have accomplished
anything without the constant
encouragement from my family
and boyfriend.”
but always felt her true calling was in
music ministry.
Her love for photography didn’t come
out of nowhere, though: “Something
always drew me to a camera. I was the
one they would give the camera to
on family vacations. I would steal my
grandmother’s camera while visiting
her in Tennessee and would take
photos of practically anything I saw
for hours. I even did an engagement
session for a family member when I
was 17.”
So when Lydia’s mother saw her
losing direction after that year at
school, she began encouraging her
to look at different trades at a local
college. When Lydia mentioned that
photography might be fun, the very
next week a box of brand-new camera
equipment showed up at the house.
“My mom had taken a huge leap of
faith on me and I’m so thankful she
did,” Lydia says.
Lydia began teaching herself how to
shoot, taking photos of friends, family
members, pets and anything available.
She founded Lydia Sewell Photography
in 2014, enrolled at Emory Continuing
Education, got certified in sports
photography, and learned the legal
side of taking photos. At that point,
she’d taught herself most of what she
needed to know through trial and
error, and her business had really
taken off.
She essentially took a leap with
starting her own firm, and says she just
“fell in head-first and ran with it.”
The company has had its share of ups
and downs, just like any firm. During
Lydia’s time at Emory, business slowed
and she became more involved with
her home church as a worship leader.
She also still worked her jobs at the
REVEAL | Q3 2017
10
Lydia says the moment that truly
launched her business was a senior
photos shoot for a young woman
from Heard County in 2015. “I
loved working with her from the
moment I met her, and knew that this
would change my business for the
better,” Lydia says. “She brought her
granddad’s VW Beetle/ truck hybrid
“What’s fun about
portraits is that I
get to help them
pick out outfits that
best display their
personality; we often
do hair and makeup,
and I get to know
this stranger on
many different levels
and hopefully make
a friend.”