We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andi Artigue a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andi, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

After graduating with a degree in photography and printmaking, I made it a goal of mine to make a full-time living with wedding photography. I know for some, they think the arts won’t provide for a successful life but I was determined to do so. A lot of time was dedicated to putting my work out there. Via my website, social media outlets, and working with other professionals in the field. I wanted it so badly and firmly believed I could make meaningful work for myself. I am now at a point where clients come to me with solely the needs of wanting to work with me based off of my work alone. I’m not sure If anything could have sped up the process. I feel I am at where I am today because I did not give up and kept putting myself out there.

Andi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a wedding an elopement photographer capturing expressive moments for art centric couples. Clients who are looking for a different artistic approach to wedding photography often reach out to me wanting my services for their wedding day. I have been a photographer since I was quite young and have a particular feeling based approach to taking photos. I aim to capture the true and real moments and emotions on a wedding day. I would describe my photos as fun but also refined and work with couples who would describe their love in a similar way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I was consistent in posting for years on end. I aimed to post at least 3 times a week and put my favorite photos online that I was taking along the way. Photos that spoke to me and ones that I was proud of were posted on my Instagram. By building a particular style, I have attracted a client who sees themselves in my work. I think the most important factor is to hone in on the kind of client that you want to work with and they will eventually come and will be excited to work with you. They have trust in me that I will deliver what they see on my website and that I will document themselves fully in their happiness on their wedding day.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to work for myself. I am very proud of that. Growing up, I never did well working in a normal job for someone else. I always knew there was another way to succeed and after years of hard work, I am at a place where I am very happy with my career. Sometimes I still pinch myself that I am able to do this for full time work and that I am able to provide for myself and my family. I am so grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: andiartigue@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andi__artigue

Image Credits

Photo of me: George Foskaris

All other photos by Andi Artigue