Meet Sam Ingesoulian of BLCImaging

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Ingesoulian

Hi Sam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a love for photography, ever since I was a little kid. I was gifted my first Kodak film camera back when I was 8 years old. It got to the point where my mother had to take the camera away. I took some Photography, Art, and Architecture classes in Highschool and College (first stint) but thought I wanted to be a Lawyer back then so decided not to pursue it any further. In 2008, I moved into an apartment that had a gorgeous view of some woods and the birds and animals were always out doing something. So I decided to get back into the photography game and purchased a DSLR, the Canon Rebel XS.

I slowly started learning the craft more and was doing Landscape and Nature photography. I would experiment with macro photography (photography producing photographs of small items larger than life size), as well as some fine art photography. I had friends and family start asking where I got some of the pictures I took and were interested in having one of their own, and asking if I would do some family portraits, so I started my own business in 2013. FIVE 22 Photography was my first stab at being a professional photographer. I started a website, did some local advertising, booked portrait shoots here and there on the side apart from my full-time job in Property Management. I decided to invest in a full frame camera and better glass as well (lenses). The hope was to one day quit my day job and go full time in photography. But life happens and career choices were made that needed me to put that dream on the back burner, and in 2016, FIVE 22 Photography was dissolved.

I decided to keep all that gear I had accumulated but would take it out less and less frequently. Until it came to the point where it would go months without being used. My passion had been lost and the dream of being a professional photographer had faded as well. Fast forward a few years to 2023, my wife started a new job at a Property Management company and was in a pinch for a photographer. They needed pictures taken of their properties and apartments. The interiors, exteriors, clubhouses, and amenities on site. I begrudgingly said yes, it had been a while since I took a picture, let alone of any importance.

And this is when BLCImaging was formed. I had done a few Real Estate/Commercial shoots before, but this was taking it to another level. My passion was back, but I was nervous at the same time. What if I wasn’t any good? What if I embarrass my wife and ruin her credibility? I had a little bit of time before the first shoot, so I turned to a trusted source of information…YouTube! I soon found out that a lot had changed in the photography world since I last did this. After watching many videos and practicing a lot at home, I was ready for prime time.

The first photo shoots could have been better, but the company liked my style, and I was asked to do more and more shoots for them. Pretty soon I had built up quite the portfolio and decided to launch a website (www.blcimaging.com) to showcase the work I was doing and offer other clients the same extraordinary service and exceptional value. The more I practiced and studied different techniques, the better I became. It was time to advertise.

After doing some market research and looking at competitor sites, I started to advertise Real Estate for homes as well. And, sure enough, some friends reached out asking me to shoot their home. I then saw that drone photography was a bigger deal now in Real Estate and Commercial applications, so decided it was time to get my license from the FAA to fly a drone commercially, and now we offer drone services. I was then approached to do some video for a corporate event, I was now a media company and not just a photography company. It was time to say goodbye to my outdated DSLR camera and make the switch to a full frame mirrorless camera system that could handle the needs of today’s clients. Best decision I ever made. The quality of my work far exceeds that of before. BLCImaging has now grown into an actual business, and we have shot over 100 properties in a short period of time. The business continues to evolve and grow as the market and needs of our clients change as well. We have even branched out to working on projects for companies located outside of Michigan. The growth has been remarkable.

In the end I owe this all to my wife. Her support and faith in me, has provided me with the passion to chase that dream again. I owe this all to her. I have now decided to start another business in tandem with BLCImaging. This one focuses on what led me on this journey all those years ago, Landscape and Fine Art Photography. New website and prints coming soon!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, not at all. Then again what road is ever smooth? The main struggle was losing the passion for what I was doing, as referenced in my story. And of course, life in general is always a struggle, no matter who you are. We don’t know what is around the next corner and sometimes we must sacrifice what we want to do with what we have to do.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At BLCIMaging we specialize in media services for Real Estate, Commercial/Multi-Family, Branding, and Drone Services. This includes photography and videography services. We offer a comprehensive and wide range of products to fit our clients needs. No job is too small or too large. I believe we provide exceptional value and extraordinary service to our clients. We are family run and pay close attention to detail in all that we do. We want our clients to be customers for life and to tell other’s about us and their experience with BLCImaging.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, life is short. Do what you love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blcimaging.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blcimaging/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blcimaging/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLCImaging
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/-xQEnJwDy2j7Kg_iKcJVbg