We recently connected with Angela Gross and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I started toying with having a legitimate business in 2010, I mostly knew of photographers whose businesses were simply their name, or their and their partners’ name. My sweet husband excitedly suggested we do the same: “Gross Photography”. At that time, I thought the business would be focused on wedding photography, and I can vividly remember saying to him in response, “oh babe– I love you so much, but no bride in her right mind is going to hire Gross Photography”!! However — in his extended family, it’s pretty common for them to write their name on items (like coolers, folding chairs, etc) as “144”. 144 is a Gross of an item, as in 12 dozen of it. There we had it– Photography 144… a unique take on our last name, but a little more cathchy!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started out after high school not really knowing what I wanted to do with myself. My mom strongly encouraged me to start on an associate’s degree towards something (anything!!) so I chose to learn how to be a radiologic technologist. I worked in the field for almost 10 years before admitting to myself that something was missing. I knew I wanted to have a career in something that used my creative side a little more but wasn’t immediately sure what that was. After several chats with friends who ran their own small businesses, it became clear to me that I wanted to focus on photography. I had always loved taking pictures, and even took a few classes in high school on it. I started out tentatively in the fall of 2009 with friends who would allow me to photograph them so that I could see if there was something there to pursue. From there, I had a couple of generous experiences with other photographers who allowed me to shadow them a bit and see their processes. They kindly explained parts of the business and gave me a glimpse into seeing the ‘how to’ of managing sessions. In the meantime, I also picked up a job at a local photography studio. This was a gift because I was able to practice posing and getting more comfortable talking to clients very quickly, with so much less pressure.

Fast forward to 2023, and here I am, loving the photography career that I have built. I now focus primarily on high school seniors and youth sports. I have a very hands on approach of guiding my seniors and working with them on a location and wardrobe that are a great fit for them. After the shoot, we get together again to view all of their images, and again work together on highlighting those images in the best way for their family. I love getting to know my clients and their families, and feel great satisfaction in playing such a role in their lives. I also really find joy in working with youth sports leagues. These fast paced days offer lots of little laughs and excitement. I love getting to see these athletes have so much fun together and to be enjoying their sport! I feel lucky to have two very different niches to grow in and experience.

Sometimes clients start the process with a little anxiety of the unknown. Many of them have never had a photo session strictly focused on them. My job is to explain each step of the way so well, that they’re much more excited than nervous for their photos. I am thrilled every time a client tells me that the session was so much fun and that I was able to make it easier than they thought it would be!

Seniors are such great clients, because they’re full of such zest and excitement for life. I value being able to build them up and to support them, and I feel a big responsibility in building their self esteem and worth. Seniors have such a knack for showing their personality in a big way, and I have the privilege of helping to draw that out and showcase it. It’s my sincere hope that both my seniors and their families walk away with big smiles and relaxed hearts, knowing that they had the very best experience they could have wanted!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing the look on a clients face as well as their parents’ faces. There is a combination of joy, pride, surprise, relief, nostalgia and excitement all in one. Parents see their grown baby and beam, and seniors see themselves suddenly as an adult and also beam. If I can help that senior to see themselves in a beautiful, positive, unstoppable way, then my job has been done well! That feeling plus the joy I feel when I see my work hanging up in someone’s home. Whether it’s a past client or a client who has become a friend and I get to walk in and see my art on their walls, there is a huge sense of pride and accomplishment in how much I’ve grown.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

When I was starting out, there weren’t many online resources for starting a business or learning about the art of photography. I learned most of my early lessons by working with clients, making mistakes, fixing them, and learning who I wanted to become as a business owner. The biggest thing I wish I could have done differently is to not set myself back mentally, thinking that I was way behind other photographers that I met. Even then, I had plenty to bring to the table, but I shied away from working on some of those relationships, thinking that I was on a different level. If I could go back, I would have leaned on and believed in myself more from the beginning. Everyone has something to offer others, and something to teach others. If you are just starting out now, you have more resources available to you so you might be more tech savvy than I have been, simply learning as I needed something. Just because you’re new at a career doesn’t mean you don’t have a place at the table. Now, I have a community of photographers that I learn and grow with and that has been such a relief to have other like minded entrepreneurs in my life. Find your people, support each other, continue to grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.photography144.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/Photos.144
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Photo144
• Linkedin: Angela Churray Gross

Image Credits
Angela Churray Gross from Photography 144