Today we’d like to introduce you to Candra Cain-Clark.
Candra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am the proud owner of Candra Cain Photography. A boudoir photography company built on helping women love their bodies. I graduated from the International Academy of Art and Design in 2010. Even before college, I was building a business. I wasn’t sure what it was called but I knew I wanted to take photos of everyday women that would make them feel beautiful. Through college I honed my skills, learn about boudoir and created Candra Cain Photography. Over the years my style has changed but my desire to make women feel beautiful has only grown stronger. We went from a small one lady operation where I traveled to clients homes to an 800 square foot studio in Indian Rocks Beach and a staff of three of the baddest ladies in the biz. I worked hard for almost a decade now and I feel so proud of how we have grown.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This was such a hard question to answer. Man has there been struggles. I grew up in section 8 housing and was barely able to put myself through college while working full time. Afterward, I worked 70 hours a week at a lame grown-up job while building my business. I hardly slept and while my friends were going to parties I was up all night working on marketing plans and photoshopping. Finally, in 2014, my amazing wife convinced me to go for it full time. So with $2,500 in the bank, I made the plunge. It was rough. We were on food stamps and I was taking every photo job I could. Now I have the ability to take on projects and clients that make me feel good. I have a staff I couldn’t live without and a company that is constantly growing. I am totally in love with my job. The boxes of ramen and the and the nights crying at my bank account have been completely worth it.
Please tell us about Candra Cain Photography.
Candra Cain Photography is a boudoir photography company. We specialize in beautiful boudoir portraits which if you don’t know what that is, think a Victoria secret photoshoot for real women; We also specialize in pole dancing photographs. We try really hard to put our money where our clients are. I am a pole fitness dancer, our entire staff is female and I often volunteer with charities that directly affect women such as domestic violence shelters. I really wanted to build something that builds in women in my community up.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My childhood was rough, but there were moments I will always cherish. My grandparents owned a houseboat in the keys. I remember being on the boat with my grandfather watching jaws which I was definitely too young for. Then early in the morning, I felt something hitting the side of the boat I ran to find my grandfather. When I finally found him, he was feeding lettuce to a manatee who was rubbing against the boat for love. It was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. My strong sometimes gruff grandfather showing so much love for this manatee. My grandfather then told me that was his morning routine. He ate breakfast with the manatees everyday.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12551 Indian Rocks Rd Largo FL 33770
- Website: www.candracainphotography.com
- Phone: 7274532182
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candracainphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandraCainPhotography
Image Credit:
Photography by: Candra Cain Photography, Hair and makeup: Angela Reno
Madi Tisch (my personal photo)
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