We were lucky to catch up with Abby Imel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Abby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
When I first got a hold of a camera at the age of 3, I obviously didn’t think it would land me to a full-time career. Photography has been apart of my life since I can remember. My mom used to take photos of my siblings and I, I had tons of toy cameras, and that slowly developed into me getting my first DSLR. Every photo I took or have memory of has been put into a large collection of photo albums that my mom creates for me every year.
Looking back at each year and seeing my growth is my fuel. I strive to create those same memories for others, because I know how much they mean to me. I am convinced that I wouldn’t be where I am today without these memories. I originally stepped into photography business at 16 years old and I am so grateful I did. It’s fulfilling getting to capture so many different aspects of peoples lives and how those photos become timeless for decades to come.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Abby Imel and I am a portrait photographer based in Littleton, Colorado. I currently specialize in weddings, couples/engagements, and seniors. I have been a full-time creative for just over 2 years now and I have loved every step of my journey. It is an honor getting to capture so many people’s unique stories around a state that has so much to offer.
Something that sets me apart from others in the industry is my age. Starting a business at 16 years old is not something many can say they have done. Being a full-time student and working two jobs at the time was a lot to juggle, but I was ambitious to make it happen. With a ton of love and support from my friends and family I decided it was time to leave my other job and see what the world had in store. I’m pleased to say it was everything I could of dreamt of and more. I got to work along side so many wonderful creatives and start niching into what I like to call my “final destination” wedding photography! I am so proud that I took a leap of faith and believed in myself to move forward in doing what I love. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
If I ever get the opportunity to work with you I want you to know that every inquiry that I receive I take with a full heart. It’s people like you that make my once claimed dream a reality and I hope I can capture that same feeling for you too. This is the most exciting industry to be apart of because everyone gets the chance to be themselves and really connect with an audience on their own level. Which is why I keep falling deeper in love with it!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The Creativ Rise Community is something I wish I had known about earlier in my creative journey. Creativ Rise is a company that focuses on helping other creatives break the creative struggle. They provide so many different levels of business education through their Instagram, podcasts, and their mastermind program.
Their free podcasts alone have helped me restructure my website and boost my inquiries which is something I am so grateful for. After stumbling on their page about a year ago I knew the structure of their courses worked well for me and I wish I knew about it sooner as it boosted my business. It is through this company that I know how to navigate certain challenges that I have had to face over the years, but also feel confident in moving forward in my career as well. Having a community to reach out to is what the industry is about, and I am grateful that they show continued efforts in making the industry a better place!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting to see my work be enjoyed by others. Having the reassurance that you did your job well is very meaningful to me and is what pushes me to reach for more. After countless hours of putting hard work into each gallery I send it’s rewarding getting that acknowledgment in return. The most memorable experience of this was getting a card in the mail from one of my clients saying how pleased they were with the entirety of their experience. It is for moments like that, that I keep getting to do what I love every single day. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it has taken a lot of dedication and sacrifice to get to that point. You cannot wake up every day thinking that being a creative is easy. It’s not a normal 9-5 job, it’s a constant 24/7 but to me, it’s better that way. Knowing that someone thanks you, and you made a lasting memory in someone’s life this career becomes timeless.
Contact Info:
- Website: abbyimelphotography.com
- Instagram: @abbyimelphotography
- Facebook: Abby Imel Photography