We were lucky to catch up with Candice Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Candice, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

My husband and I have always enjoyed capturing images. I purchased my first camera in 2009. I remember it like yesterday. It was a Kodak that I used to capture photos while we were at Myrtle Beach. I was so amazed with how they turned out. I purchased another camera several years later which I used to begin capturing family milestones and events. Before I knew it, I thought “we should do this officially as a business!” The rest is truly history! Before I began capturing photos, I had dreams of working in the mental health field. I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and I currently work in the mental health field full time and utilize the remainder of my time capturing images and actively serving in ministry at my church. My hands are definitely full! It was always a dream to be a college graduate but I think that it was more of a dream I fulfilled on behalf of my parents and extended relatives. I love serving others in the mental health field, but it is truly a passion of mines to capture amazing and memorable moments for my clients. Oftentimes I reflect on my accomplishments and I ask myself “how would life be for me if I started a photography business sooner?” It’s nice having a degree, but I feel that I would have accomplished much more and been able to live freely without college debt had I decided to pursue a life of creativity.

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.

I am Candice, wife to a wonderful husband and I’m an only child. I have no children of my own, but I work with several children as a behavioral health specialist. As a photographer, I have always loved capturing images, and I now I get to do it for others as a maternity, newborn, and wedding photographer. I happen to think that my ability to tell stories for my wedding clients and capture the beauty of maternity for my moms to be truly sets me apart. Sometimes I look at how it started vs. how it’s going and I’m in awe. I’ve grown in so many ways and I dream of one day being able to fully do photography full time. I’m proud of my growth not only with skillset, but also concerning business intelligence. I’ve taken time to learn about marketing, and learning who my target audience is. These things are very important. Most importantly, I’ve learned my value and worth as a photographer. Imposter syndrome has been real in my life, but giving myself grace has been key to avoid the feeling that I’m not good enough.
Knowing that I have the ability to be successful plays a role in how my clients view me and my work. I also look at each session I complete as an opportunity to create remarkable experiences for my clients. By the end of the session, they’ve become family to me! They’re just that important to me. It’s all about building connections for me!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to just do me! Having the gall to create unapologetically is the most amazing thing ever. There are so many other creatives that try to place limitations on that or attempt to set a standard to creativity, but that defeats the purpose of being creative in the first place. I say do you, and keep aiming towards greatness.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Instagram! Posting intently and frequently has truly paid off! Aside from that, word of mouth is very critical. Your clients who speak highly of you to others is going to pay off! Potential clients generally trust the reviews of a friend/family member, so it’s best to make a lasting impression to get them singing your praises.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shebelievedphotography.net
• Instagram: @she_believed_photography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/photographybelievers

Image Credits
Candice Williams