Sherry Schultze, Mankato Photographer
Sherry Schultze
Owner, Photographic Artist for Inspired Portrait Photography LLC
Experience
- Minnesota State University Mankato Graduate: Magna Cum-Laude Bachelor of Fine Arts – Specializing in photography and print making
- MSU Reporter photographer 2002
- Photo lab specialist – 3 years Barnett Portrait Studio, Mankato MN
- Portrait Studio Manager and Primary Photographer – 4.5 years Barnett Portrait Studio, Mankato MN
Credentials
- Certified Professional Photographer
- Certified Professional Children Photographer
- Professional Photographers of America Association Member
- Minnesota Professional Photographers Association Member
- Twin Cities Professional Photographers Association Member
Awards & Merits
- Twin Cities 2nd place Illustrative Photographer of the Year
Feature In
- Womeninc Cover – October 2008
About Me:
I get the hiccups everyday. My career is a huge part of my life, it gives me complete joy to capture someones true self, and I am humbled at the lives a single portrait can change. I don’t sit still, I talk a lot, most of it is meaningless ramble, but once in awhile I say something worth writing down. I am eager to save the planet one plastic bottle at a time. I’m not great at telling people how much they mean to me, but I’ve been praying about it. Eventually I would like to be as selfless as my mom, as hard working as my dad and provide the kind of unconditional love my husband shares with me. I don’t see retirement in my future, it would be incredibly hard to stop doing what I love. I’m 28, and I want to inspire you to be the difference for someone else.
Biography:
Sherry Schultze was raised in the rural town of Fulda, Minnesota. All through her youth she worked for the high school annual staff taking photos and creating mementos for others. After experiencing the joy and sorrow of her own senior portrait session, she was inspired to create portraits for others professionally. The cost of a large quantity of professional portraits was out of her family’s budget and she vowed to help other’s enjoy portraiture, by keeping pricing reasonable for quality art.
After high school she attended Southwest State University to explore a variety of majors including speech, creative writing and English secondary education. In 2001 she transferred colleges and her passion for portrait photography was reignited at Minnesota State University Mankato. She began acquiring credits toward her Bachelor of Fine Art with all styles of photography classes. At that time she also began working for Barnett Photo Inc, downtown Mankato, as a lab technician. Under the direction of Brian Barnett she learned to color correct professional and amateur images, print for skin tones, crop, size, and complete all orders from negatives and digital media. With her natural photography skills Mrs. Schultze worked part time photographing for the business as well. Her duties included creating portraits for business professionals, MSU sport teams, children, families and high school seniors. Mrs. Schultze worked with the Mankato figure skating club for five years, as well as jumping on board with Mayba, Magfa, and miscellaneous area sport teams. She also booked all sessions, proofed most of the portraits, delivered them to clients and worked with the clients until their complete needs had been fulfilled.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude in the spring of 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Art from MSU, Mankato. Her major studies included black & white, color and digital photography, as well as printmaking, painting, art history, drawing, graphic design and an intense study of Adobe Photoshop.
After graduation, Sherry received a promotion from Barnett Photo , and from the spring of 04 until the summer of 08, Sherry Schultze served as the studio manager for Barnett Photo. Her daily duties included booking appointments, greeting customers, photographing in studio and location portrait sessions, sports photography, proofing imagery, digital retouching and enhancements, marketing, sales, maintaining the studio equipment, training staff, creating a work schedule, holding staff accountable, producing orders, printing portraits, maintaining client relations, custom framing, retail stocking, accounting, filing, and customer service.
Mrs. Schultze continues her education today by holding a membership with professional photographers associations. These associations include Professional Photographers of America, Minnesota Professional Photographers, & Twin Cities Professional Photographers. By maintaining membership with these organizations, Sherry is able to attend monthly, quarterly and yearly seminars held by the top photographers in the industry. Topics at these educational events include, but are not limited to; business management, professional lighting, marketing, portrait posing, work inspiration, vendor products and social networking. In the winter of 2007 Sherry received her children’s photography certification title.
With the support of her husband Lucas, and the birth of their new business, Sherry continues to be a young success in the photography industry. She has proven herself by graduating with honors, and going above and beyond during her previous employment. During her four years of management experience, Mrs. Schultze had the opportunity to experience areas of photographic management, develop a strong hold of supporters and network with other business owners. She has retained a large clientele from Minnesota who know her willingness to go the extra mile. Sherry continues to volunteer her time with organizations including BENCHS, MOPS, Now I Lay Me down To Sleep, her church youth group, Compassion International, a portrait scholarship program, and countless donations to area events. Her most recent accomplishment was photographing for the Womeninc magazine; you can see her cover photograph on the October issue. Her high energy, photographic creativity, knowledge of art, personal drive and time management abilities affirm that she is a successful business owner in the Mankato community.
