We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Caitlin Gregory. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Caitlin below.

Caitlin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Building a business based on your passions definitely begins with taking a risk. Risks are inevitable. I could say my business started with a risk that was not even my own. My husband took a risk and leap of faith by gifting me my first DSLR camera for Christmas in 2013. He believed in me and my eye for a great photograph and said “Go do your thing!”. Within a few months time, I took risks by asking friends to let me take their family’s photographs. Being a photographer or any creative artist, we expose ourselves to others through our work. It feels risky and scary when starting out. In 2017, I took a huge risk by jumping into the wedding world! I was on a high of excitement but also terrified at the same time! My first few weddings, brides and grooms took a risk in hiring me knowing my lack of experience with weddings. I will forever be thankful and grateful to the couples who gave me the opportunity to photograph their weddings that year. Without them, I would never have grown and become the photographer I am today. In November 2018, I left my nursing career to pursue my photography passion full time! Talk about a risk! We were so used to having a consistent biweekly paycheck come in and knew all that was going to end. My ‘paycheck’ was no one’s responsibility but my own now. This is definitely a scary feeling! We risked the consistency for the possibility. I am now more than highly convinced that was the best decision we could have ever made. Fully focusing on photography has made me so much more invested, a more streamlined business owner, and an even more creative photographer. With all this said, I believe risks are a huge part of being an artist, owning a business, and growing as a person.

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

The previous question definitely lets the light shine on how I got in to photography. I’m so thankful and proud of my husband, Jamie, for believing in me and setting my heart on fire with a kindle that had been patiently waiting for the extra push.

My photography style is defined as bold and beautiful. I am a full color, true to life photographer. I love the candid, romantic shots and aim to make my couples feel at home so we can make those style photographs happen. I use off camera lighting to ensure that despite the environment (inside, outside, harsh light, cloudy days), the photographs are consistent. No lighting situation scares me! I love to take creative photographs on wedding day with fun coloring and special effects to make your gallery stand out. Wedding day always includes two photographers, myself and a second shooter. Typically, the second shooter is Jamie. Jamie has become an expert at detail photographs and ensures every little detail brides and grooms put into their day is captured.

Not only do I do weddings, but I also photograph the rest of life’s story. From maternity to newborns to seniors, I am here for it all! I truly love documenting life for my clients and love when they choose me for all life’s journeys.

All of my collections offer professional printed images as well as online galleries. My wedding couples receive beautiful leather wedding albums that view like a storybook of their fairy tale wedding day. It is such a treasured heirloom!

On another note, a cool feature we offer is a custom built photo booth! It is touch screen, and the photographs are taken by an actual camera-not an iPad! But the best part is the printed photo strips! These are perfect keepsakes for wedding guests. Anytime the photo booth is added to an event or wedding, it seems to be one of the highlights of the night! Jamie actually built this all on his own. It is his baby!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Honestly, Google & Instagram have been my top sources for new clients. I use to say word of mouth, which is still a huge part of it for sure. But this day in time, staying relevant on social media and the internet itself is so important to bringing in new clients. It is not always glamourous. You should see me trying to perfect ‘Reels’ on Insta. It can be such a headache!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Getting involved and attending conferences for your career line is huge! I attended my first conference this past winter and don’t know why I didn’t sooner! WPPI in Las Vegas was such a game changer and motivational push for me. I can’t wait to go again in 2023.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caitlingregoryphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlingregoryphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caitlingregoryphotography/

Image Credits
My Headshot: Madalyn Yates Photography All other photographs taken by myself.