We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby Judd a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Abby , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?
Not yet but so close! I’ve been a full-time pharmacy technician while doing photography every waking moment I had on the side. from 5pm-9pm and weekends I am always putting into my business. I had hope that in 2025 I made enough to go full time but when I just did my taxes this year, I did not. However, in February my pharmacy tech job was forcing me to do mandatory overtime and I just couldn’t be doing that and have time for photography. So I put in my two weeks and took a massive leap of faith into doing photography full time. It really felt like a sign, like it was my time to fly. I am really hoping now that I have more time to work on my business it will finally take off.
Abby , 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 have always loved taking pictures and have been doing photography ever since I can remember. Starting with the disposable film cameras. When I was 15 I bought my very first camera and have never stopped since then. I really got into being serious about photography in 2022 and focusing on intimate weddings and elopements. I grew up in St. George Utah so I have a deep love for the red rocks and desert landscapes. A lot of my photography clients are from out of state coming to see the red rocks so I am blessed to live in an area like I do! I really feel like wedding days should be full of the couples favorite things. If they love coffee, start their morning out with going to a local coffee shop, then coming back to their air bnb and getting ready to go do one of their favorite activities, whether that be horse back riding, off-roading or hiking. After this, stopping for lunch and after lunch is finished, we would do their ceremony and vows and then go to a location for beautiful photos with the sunset and maybe pull out some lanterns and have them stargaze. I love to call it a “favorite things day”. I would love to see more couples start to do this instead of having a party for their parents friends for their actual wedding day. They can throw a party after they elope to see all their relatives! I truly feel like their wedding day should be geared towards them and what they love to do.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love to show my couples little snippets of the back of my camera after I take photos and see their reaction. A lot of photographers don’t like doing this because they are afraid to show their client the raw photo but I believe it can give my clients confidence and show them how freaking beautiful they look! I love sending clients their first couple sneak peeks right after their wedding day as well and seeing that text come through that they are in love with their photos! Giving my clients beautiful photos that one day they will be able to share with their children and grandchildren is really what makes me so happy.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I would rather put in hundreds and thousands of hours working on my own business than punching a clock for some corporate company that is not going to be fulfilling for me. My goal is to be so successful that when I can afford to have children, giving them a comfortable life in a home that they can feel save and loved in. I would love to be able to support my future family off this income some day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wanderlustandwest.com
- Instagram: @wanderlustandwest
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553406224178
- Youtube: @wanderlustandwest
Image Credits
Just me, Abby Judd – Wanderlust & West