We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Crystal Chambers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Crystal below.
Crystal, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.
The idea of proposal planning and photography wasn’t something I set out to do—it found me. I was on a hike in Sedona with my camera when a stranger struck up a conversation. He mentioned he had tried to hire a photographer for a proposal at the top of Cathedral Rock, but since it was January and icy, no one wanted to make the trek. I realized then that there was a gap—and that I wasn’t afraid to go the extra mile (or vertical climb) for something meaningful.
A few months later, after I’d set up a basic website, a girl reached out asking if I could help with her engagement photos and an elopement shoot in front of the Superstition Mountains. Ironically, that was the same day I got laid off. I remember feeling devastated—but also like a window was opening. That mix of fear and hope is something I’ll never forget.
When you start something new, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but what people don’t always talk about are the moments of doubt and insecurity that creep in. I’ve learned that both feelings can coexist—and that’s okay. I want others to know that it’s normal to question yourself and still move forward. In fact, that’s often where the most beautiful growth begins.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, I’m Crystal Chambers, founder of i do adventure co—and I offer proposal planning, adventure photography, and capturing love stories in wild, unforgettable ways.
i do adventure co was born from the desire to capture that feeling of love—using my skills in visual storytelling, planning, and crafting unique date ideas. I offer:
Proposal Planning & Photography: I help people pull off once-in-a-lifetime surprises, from scouting the location to capturing the moment.
Couples & Elopement Photography: Candid, adventurous, emotional imagery in natural locations that feel as epic as your love story. No place is off limits for me.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just take photos—I plan and craft the entire experience with my clients. I hike the trails, find the secret viewpoints, set up the champagne or charcuterie, and help you feel relaxed in front of the lens.
I guide you every step of the way, from outfit help to the best time for golden hour glow. For me, the magic is in the details—and in helping people feel confident and celebrated.
I’m most proud of the moments where people cry happy tears after seeing their gallery, or tell me that they’ve never felt so seen and beautiful in a photo. That’s when I know I’ve done my job right.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One thing non-creatives often don’t realize is that creativity isn’t just about making things look pretty.
My work involves a lot of emotional labor, decision-making, and vulnerability. Every proposal I plan or photo I take holds meaning for someone else, and that kind of pressure—while beautiful—can be heavy.
There’s also the invisible work: the hours spent planning a design or idea, the edits that never get seen, the emotional energy poured into making sure something feels right, not just looks right.
I think people often imagine creatives just “being inspired” and running with it—but honestly, it’s a grind. It takes resilience. It takes showing up even when you’re uninspired or doubting yourself. Creativity isn’t a switch you flip—it’s a practice you commit to.
So, if you’re not a creative and you’re working with one—whether it’s a designer, photographer, or artist—remember that what you’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. Behind every deliverable is a whole world of thought, care, and emotional investment.
A little acknowledgment of that goes a long way!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that success in a creative career comes from being the best—the most polished, the most booked, the most perfect. In the beginning, I felt like I constantly had to prove myself, and that pressure made it hard to actually enjoy the process.
But that changed when I started working with clients who didn’t just hire me for flawless photos or a perfectly styled setup—they hired me because they trusted my eye, my energy, and the care I put into each experience. Their belief in me helped me unlearn the idea that I had to do it all alone or hit some invisible benchmark to be worthy.
Now, I show up with intention, not pressure. I leave space for connection, improvising, laughing, adapting—because that’s where the magic happens.
Letting go of the need to be the best made room for something so much more fulfilling: community, creativity, and clients who support my work because it feels like me. And ironically, that shift made my work stronger and more meaningful than ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://idoadventure.co
- Instagram: @idoadventureco
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/hellofrankenbery
Image Credits
idoadventureco