We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Avery Lockridge a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Avery , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Growing up, my family didn’t really do the whole professional family portrait thing, so whenever I would see my friends professional family photos proudly displayed on their walls, I couldn’t help but wish we had something similar and I knew that having professional family photos was something I wanted to do for my own family one day.

I’ve always enjoyed photography, I used to spend hours snapping pictures of my friends and baby dolls trying to achieve those famous mall glamor shot looks with my disposable cameras as a kid. So, when I became a mom, I was determined to capture every milestone with professional photos. My husband at the time surprised me with my first real camera, and that’s when I dove into learning how to use it. People started noticing my knack for photography and encouraged me to think about starting a business.

In 2019, I took a big step and invested in some editing software, diving headfirst into the world of photo editing. Then, in 2020, right before the Covid lockdown, I had this amazing dream of launching my photography business. I managed to take some senior photos and quinceañera shots for students I adored. As the year unfolded, life threw some curveballs my way—a divorce, a global pandemic, a big move, a new job at a different school, and suddenly, I was a single mom. My closest family lived six hours away, and with my little one just 18 months old, it became clear that I wouldn’t have the time or support to juggle shoots and editing along with teaching. So, I reluctantly put my photography dream on hold.

Fast forward to 2023—thanks to my friend Casey Davis who reignited my passion, I found myself back behind the lens, taking on a role as a second shooter for professional baseball photos. It was such a refreshing experience; I felt alive and inspired in a way I hadn’t in years. With encouragement from my friend Casey and my Mom, I took a leap of faith for myself and my daughter, and invested in the tools I needed to start my business.

Just a month after that baseball shoot, I officially obtained my LLC, and my photography business became a reality! It felt like a beautiful culmination of hard work, determination, and a genuine love for capturing moments. I spent the entire summer learning from some of my favorite photographers on YouTube and experimenting with different lenses until I found the perfect one for my craft. I had my friend Casey to help me with all my business and software questions, she has been so helpful throughout this whole process and I am so grateful for her. Then I built my website and launched my advertising, and that’s when my business truly began to take off.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a country girl who grew up in a little town in north central Texas—about six hours from here. I have a huge love for the great outdoors and really treasure spending time with my daughter and family, creating memories together. Ever since I was a kid, art and photography have captured my heart, along with a strong urge to teach. That passion led me to earn a degree in Human Growth and Development and Family Studies, along with a minor in Psychology from Texas Tech University.

For the past 15 years, I’ve been fortunate to teach a wide range of subjects to students from grades 6-12. Plus, I run my own photography business, Avery Lockridge Photography LLC. There’s nothing quite like seeing the smiles on my students’ faces and preserving their unforgettable moments through my photography—it feels like such a gift!

Another passion of mine is self-care and naturally healing the body. I’m a certified yoga instructor, and my training at the Houston Yoga and Ayurveda Ashram opened up a world of natural healing techniques for me. I became really excited about exploring ways to nurture both the mind and body naturally. I also earned my Reiki I and II certifications, plus a certification in crystal quartz sound healing. All of these experiences have led me to create a fulfilling daily routine with yoga and meditation, transforming my health and life in such a positive way. I’ve experienced natural healing firsthand and have even managed to rewire my brain for the better.

All of these experiences shape who I am and ignite my passion for both teaching and photography. It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Having spent the last 15 years as a teacher, with the last 6 dedicated to high school, has really helped me build my reputation quickly in the photography industry. I know that being in front of a camera can make people a bit uneasy, so making sure everyone feels comfortable during a session is always my main goal. My teaching experience has given me the skills to connect with all kinds of clients, which makes the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I’ve found that using social media has been the best way to expand my clientele. Sharing my work on Instagram and Facebook has made a huge difference in growing my business. The majority of my bookings are from clients that find me on Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://averylockridgephotography23.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: Avery_lockridge_photography
• Facebook: Avery Lockridge Photography LLC
• Linkedin: Avery Lockridge

Image Credits

Photo of me was taken by Casey Davis Photography all other photos were taken and edited by me Avery Lockridge Photography