Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caroline Fraska. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Caroline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

Legacy wasn’t something I’d put much thought into until recently losing my mom. Now it’s something I think about probably more than most 30 year olds because of that experience. While capturing hundreds of thousands of photos over the past ten years, I hope the face behind the camera is associated in some small way with those memories. Knowing I was able to freeze so many major life events, emotions, moments, and sometimes the last photos my clients have together with their loved ones is the core of the legacy I want to leave behind. I want to be remembered as someone who was always there. Through life’s high and lows, peaks and valleys, whether near or far I hope to always be someone who could be counted on. Who made people laugh, feel special, seen and appreciated. Much like photographs, your legacy will stick around far longer than you will and I hope to continue to build memories that stands the test of time.

Caroline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a wedding and engagement photographer based in Tampa, FL and I would best describe my style of photography as bold with a modern twist. My love of photography began in high school where I transitioned that passion to college and obtained my BFA in photography along with a minor in entrepreneurship from USF. Through college I worked at a law firm as a paralegal while simultaneously building my photography business and in 2019 I became a full time photographer. 

I pride myself in genuinely connecting with my clients to bring them a truly unique experience specifically tailored to tell their story. From our first conversation I want to know what their favorite TV show is, what their interests are, and what they’re looking for in their photos. My job is to create images that feel authentic to my clients while making it feel like we’re old friends just hanging out and taking pics. The end result are candid images that capture who my clients are and the story they want to tell.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Through college and up until 2019 I worked at a law firm as a paralegal at the same time as building my photography business. I would go to work, photograph sessions after work, edit into the late hours of the night, and work weddings on the weekends. I literally never stopped working. I took every opportunity I could to build my portfolio and my client base. I mentored with other wedding photographers in the industry, I second shot weddings for free to gain experience, and I attended workshops and education courses to help become a better business owner. In 2018 I was bringing in enough clients that my photography business could sustain my lifestyle full time and in 2019 I finally took the leap to become a full time photographer.. Was it hard? Absolutely. There’s no easy way around it, being a business owner quite literally takes blood, sweat, and tears but knowing I built my business from the ground up is one of the most rewarding feelings.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The tricky thing about social media is how “follower focused” it feels which is why it can be very intimidating to start at zero. But it’s important to remember that everyone starts at zero. So stay in your lane, build your content, and don’t focus too much on the numbers. Seeking validation from the number of followers, likes, and comments can lead to a distorted sense of success. Some creators have thousands of followers but can’t sell a product as well as another creator with a smaller audience but one they engage with more. Create and foster a community. Success and trust isn’t built overnight. If you wholeheartedly believe in yourself and your product other people will too and your social media will grow accordingly. Persistence is key, keep posting and keep sharing!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carolineallenphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolineallenography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarolineAllenPhotography
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/carolineallenphotography

Image Credits
Caroline Allen Photography