Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Clark.
Hi Christy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my photography journey as young as ten years old. I always loved everything about being a creative person. I used to be the one behind the camera, never in front of it. Photography runs deep in my veins, my grandfather was a photographer in Cuba back when photographs were black and white. He used to hand paint color into each photograph he developed. Hearing his stories inspired me, and I guess that’s where my creativity and passion for photography comes from. In my early 20’s I attended Barry University for Elementary education, I then attended the Art Institute for photography. Most of what I know now has been self-taught throughout the years (believe me when I say it hasn’t been easy, lol).
About 11 years ago, I started my business journey. I worked full-time jobs while photographing families part-time on the weekends. I started out with free photoshoots until one of my “free clients” told me I should be charging for these photoshoots. My career took off from there very slowly considering there are many skilled photographers in my area. It wasn’t easy, but totally worth it!
I would photograph families, children, parties, pretty much anything that came my way! Through the years, I quickly learned to narrow down what my niche was and fast forward a few years, I am a successful couples & wedding photographer. I always dreamed of working for myself, Traveling for photoshoots, continuing my photography career for as long as I can and here I am living my dream, through hard word, tears, sweat, laughter… I am traveling for weddings & telling each couple’s stories through my photos. *pats myself on the back* I’m pretty proud of where I am at compared to where I began.
I continue to learn every day & invest in my photography education. I want to be the very best at what I do and I can’t wait to see where I’ll be in the next few years. 🙂
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No way! My photography journey has most definitely not been a smooth road. When you start a business, there’s always going to be struggles along the way. One of my main struggles was just standing out from the thousands of photographers in my area. I live in an area where out of ten people about five are photographers, lol. I learned to find my niche and really educate myself on how to stand out and find my ideal clients. Clients that would be in my price range, Clients that love my tones and the way I photograph their story. Learning to say “NO” was so hard for me, but as soon as I started saying “no”, that’s when I found my ideal clients.
I can continue talking about the struggles of running a photography business but I’d be here all day, lol. Pricing my photo packages, finding locations, marketing my business, ad’s, and the list goes on. I guess these are things you learn along the way. Many people don’t realize all the responsibilities that come with owning a photography business or any business at all really. There are so many little things to deal with and it’s not just clicking the button on a camera.
As my photography journey has continued, there will always be struggles, that’s the beauty of owning a business but I learn as I go and continue to pave the smooth road ahead as I learn to deal with the struggles at hand.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer based in South Florida but I travel all of the United States to tell my clients stories through my photos. I specialize in Couples/Wedding Photography. I’m most known for the tones of my photos and my ability to capture raw, authentic moments in my photos.
What am I most proud of? Hmm… There’s a lot of things I am proud of, but I would say I am most proud of where I am now in my career. After 11+ years of trying to make a name for myself and really stand out from other photographers, I think I am finally here! I still have a lot of learning to do, but I am proud of where I am now, photographing my ideal clients, being a full-time travel photographer, the list goes on. Never did I think I’d make it and here I am, running a successful photography business full time.
What sets me apart from other photographers in my area is that I build connections with my clients, most of my clients end up as friends and I love that! Connecting with my clients on a personal level helps me tell their story through my photos.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Wow! This is a tough question, considering I’m pretty much an open book to my clients. I guess I would say most people don’t know that I’m actually really shy, I have my black belt in Taekwondo and my favorite thing to do on my downtime is paint.
I’m actually a really shy person, introvert I would say lol. I have struggled with meeting people all my life, and it’s something I continue to work on. Trying not to be awkward when I meet new people is my biggest struggle and most don’t realize it because I have learned to mask the shyness throughout the years.
I studied and taught taekwondo for five years. I was the head of an after school program that was part of the taekwondo school. One of those things I always wanted to learn and I’m proud that I did and earned a black belt through sweat, tears and a few sprained ankles, lol.
Now, on my downtime… I love to grab a canvas, paintbrushes and just paint. It’s relaxing and allows my creative juices to flow.
Pricing:
- Photo session prices start at $300
- Wedding Prices start at $1,500
Contact Info:
- Email: info@christyclarkphotos.com
- Website: www.christyclarkphotos.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/christyclarkphotography
- Other: www.pinterest.com/christyclarkphotography
Image Credits
Photos by * Christy Clark Photography Venue: Villa Toscana Miami
