We recently connected with Kirstie Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Kirstie, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I started my photography business in 2013 as a side job while I worked a career in finance. From the beginning, I priced my sessions at the amount I would need to replace my full time income. I didn’t look at it as “side money” or “extra money.” I was intentional about setting profitable and sustainable prices. When I went full time with photography in 2017, I was able to immediately replace the income from the job I left. Every year since I have increased my revenue.
Kirstie, 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 fine art equine portrait photographer located in Dallas, Texas. I founded Kirstie Marie Photography in 2013, and since then my work has been published in dozens of equine publications in advertising, editorial and cover spots. A lifetime horse enthusiast, I have experienced first-hand the bond between a horse and a girl. I strive to capture that special relationship for each and every client. My style is characterized by revealing the most beautiful elements of each girl and her horse in sun-soaked, distinctive photos to be treasured for generations to come. In 2015, I began offering mentoring services to other photographers and small business owners. In 2019, I developed on-demand courses on popular subjects at a more affordable price point. As one of the leading teachers in the equine photography niche, I am regularly asked to speak at industry conferences, appear on podcasts, and be featured on blogs and in magazines. My goal is simple: to help others establish a profitable, sustainable business that becomes the career of their dreams. To see more of Kirstie’s portrait work, visit www.kirstiemarie.com
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I had to sell my show horses before I left for school and since then I had longed for imagery that showed our relationship together. I had show proofs and plenty of pictures of awards we won… but I didn’t have portraits that depicted our relationship. I was in an upper-level marketing class my last semester of college where I started drawing up a business plan and felt like there was a hole in the market that I could fill by offering emotive, story-telling portraits of girls with their horses. I am always driven by the goal to deliver the images to others that I wish I had for myself.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
My favorite part of this job has been the friendships I have created! People who started as strangers became clients, who have become really close friends of mine. It is always extremely bittersweet when a horse I’ve photographed passes. I am constantly met with words of how impactful and meaningful the images I took have become to the owner of that horse.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kirstiemarie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirstieeemarie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KirstieMariePhotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstie-jones-6b8a8625/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kirstieeeemarie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChsoWNFaXTlasxE-UtNjaDg
- Other: www.kmplearn.com is my education website + blog. I’ve been posting free content for 6 years!
Image Credits
all photos credit to Kirstie Marie Photography