Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Savoy.
Hi Iris , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Iris Savoy, the owner of Iris Nikki Photography. My creative journey spans more than twenty years in advertising, marketing, and print distribution, where I developed a strong eye for storytelling, branding, and visual impact. Photography was always present, but in 2018 I made a deliberate pivot to pursue it more intentionally as a business.
Like many creatives, the pandemic became a moment of refinement rather than retreat. I narrowed my focus to what truly resonated with me: concert photography, branding, and select special projects. Music—especially jazz and R&B—has always been central to my work, allowing me to capture not just performances, but emotion, energy, and connection between artists and their audiences.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph nationally recognized artists, festivals, and venues throughout the DMV area, while also expanding into business and branding photography for professionals and organizations. Today, Iris Nikki Photography sits at the intersection of artistry and strategy—combining my marketing background with visual storytelling to help artists, brands, and events be seen, remembered, and valued.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my biggest struggles has been navigating the balance between creativity and sustainability. Transitioning from a long career in advertising and marketing into full-time photography required redefining my identity—not just as a creative, but as a business owner in a highly competitive industry. Learning when to say yes, when to say no, and how to properly value my work has been an ongoing challenge.
The pandemic presented another major obstacle. While it forced me to pause and reassess, it also meant canceled events, lost income, and uncertainty in an industry built around live experiences. I had to adapt quickly—narrowing my focus, rebuilding momentum, and trusting that refinement would eventually lead to growth.
As a concert photographer, access and visibility have also been consistent hurdles. Earning credentials, building trust with promoters and publications, and advocating for fair usage and compensation required persistence and resilience. On the business side, juggling a full-time career while growing Iris Nikki Photography meant managing time, energy, and burnout while still showing up creatively at a high level.
Despite these challenges, each obstacle sharpened my vision. They pushed me to be more intentional, more strategic, and more confident in the value I bring. Today, those struggles inform how I approach my work—ensuring every image tells a story with purpose, integrity, and impact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a concert, branding, and business photographer, and the owner of Iris Nikki Photography. I specialize in capturing live music—particularly jazz and R&B—as well as creating intentional branding imagery for professionals, creatives, and organizations. My work focuses on storytelling, emotion, and authenticity, whether I’m photographing an artist on stage or helping a business visually define who they are.
I’m known for my ability to capture more than just the moment—I capture the feeling. In concert photography, that means documenting not only the headlining artist, but also the band members, the interactions, and the energy that often goes unnoticed. In branding and business photography, it means creating images that feel real, polished, and aligned with a client’s purpose rather than staged or generic.
What I’m most proud of is building a photography business that sits at the intersection of creativity and strategy. With over twenty years of experience in advertising and marketing, I approach every project with both an artistic eye and a strong understanding of how images are used to tell stories, build brands, and create impact. I’m also proud of the relationships I’ve built with artists, venues, and organizations throughout the DMV area—earning trust, access, and repeat opportunities in a highly competitive space.
What sets me apart is perspective. I don’t just show up as a photographer—I show up as a storyteller, a collaborator, and a professional who understands the full lifecycle of an image. Every photo has intention behind it, and my goal is always the same: to create work that helps my clients be seen, remembered, and valued.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has definitely played a role in my life and business, but it’s always met preparation. Some of my biggest opportunities came unexpectedly—last-minute credentials, surprise calls to cover shows, or being in the right place at the right time. Those moments may look like luck from the outside, but they only worked because I was ready, experienced, and willing to move quickly.
On the other hand, there’s been plenty of “bad luck” as well—missed opportunities, canceled shows, technical issues, and the uncertainty that came with the pandemic. Those moments tested my resilience and forced me to adapt, reassess, and refine my direction. In many ways, what felt like setbacks ended up shaping the clarity and focus I have today.
Overall, I’ve learned that luck opens the door, but consistency, professionalism, and persistence determine what happens next. I don’t rely on luck—I rely on showing up, doing the work, and staying ready so when opportunity appears, I can fully step into it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.irisnikkiphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/irisnikkiphotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/irisnikkiphotography
