We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carrie Buell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carrie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In my twenties, I received a piece of advice that has lingered throughout the years. A musical mentor, Rich Mullins, imparted wisdom to my band that resonates deeply within me now more than ever. He urged us to define what success truly means to each of us. If success is measured solely in monetary terms, then the journey may be long and winding. However, if it is about forging a connection through our music with even one person each day, that becomes not only possible but profoundly significant.
This insight opened my eyes to the distinction between goals and true success. Goals, while important, are often temporal—a duration is assigned to them often, a destination on a journey. In contrast, success can be woven into the very fabric of our souls, especially if we choose to embrace it that way. On the most challenging of days, the realization of what success genuinely means to us can serve as a sweet reminder of our purpose.
As a person of faith, I find that my understanding of success is intricately tied to my beliefs. Scripture serves as my guiding light, particularly the verse, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5. This reminder inspires me to seek wisdom and cultivate a sense of fulfillment that transcends the material, anchoring my journey in something far more profound.
Carrie, 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?
My husband, Garett Buell, and I started our photography journey driven by a shared passion for the arts. Garett’s self-taught expertise beautifully complements my academic background in Fine Arts, with a focus on Visual Arts, allowing us to blend creativity with technical skill. Having spent over a decade in the music industry, we pivoted into photography, a field that has always captivated us both. This shift inspired us to delve deeper into our artistic pursuits and continuously nurture our passion for the arts. We often feel a strong connection to the Renaissance Era. Now, nearly two decades into our journey in Architectural Photography, we recognize that our growth in this field remains significant and ongoing.
Initially, we ventured into the realm of real estate photography, seeing it merely as a stepping stone toward our ultimate goal of specializing in architectural photography. However, as time went on, we developed a genuine passion for our local real estate industry. This newfound appreciation prompted us to form a team and establish a mentorship program, leading to the creation of a vibrant community we never knew we needed, yet one that clearly needed us. Now, we are developing teams in many neighboring cities and even other states, like Texas.
This evolution was not merely coincidental; it represented the growth of our artistic vision. Our path has been marked by perseverance and dedication, and while we continuously strive towards our goals, we acknowledge that we are still a work in progress, never fully considering ourselves to have arrived at our final destination.
Instead, we believe that growth is a never-ending process. Our motto, “We don’t want to be the best; we want to always be on the path of getting better,” serves as a guiding light, reminding us that the beauty of our craft lies in our commitment to improvement and evolution. As we navigate this artistic landscape of Architectural Photography, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence, ever seeking inspiration in every moment, every frame, and every opportunity to create.
We have many values you can find on our website, especially when it comes to our We Heart Your Space Team, but if I had to sum up our personal brand into a few words, I would simply say: Quality, Learning, Organic, and Kindness. Garett and I are personally dedicated to delivering lasting excellence while fostering a culture of warmth and respect. After all, who said you can’t be professional and personable at the same time?
Garett and I found our way to each other (and to Ecuador) while swapping snapshots and passing around our film cameras on a trip to Quito with Compassion International, all while sporting our trusty musical friends and instruments. It’s this shared passion for art that fuels our relationship and shapes our brand’s identity. We’re all about crafting a love for creation—balancing the roles of student and teacher, striving to learn more and be better, and valuing the authenticity of our craft. Even though we use technology constantly in our craft, we are fueled and inspired by those elements that technology can never replace.
In an era and industry frequently clouded by challenges and misconceptions, we aim to be a calming presence—a serene eye that values the heart of the craft, a steady force that appreciates the essence of our trade. We cherish each frame and each moment, capturing them before they slip away. Our goal is to create images that not only promote someone’s endeavors and support their businesses but also serve as lasting works of art. After all, why not create in a timeless way and leave behind a meaningful legacy?
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Leading a team has proven to be the most rewarding, challenging, and humbling aspect of my professional journey. I am deeply thankful for all my mentors—individuals with immense kindness and wisdom who have guided me along the way. Their influence has solidified my belief in the significance of community and teamwork, which became paramount in our business, even when we hadn’t actively sought it out. This unexpected focus on collaboration has transformed into the most vital component of our business.
When you are a true artist with a business mindset, you often find yourself in conflict, at war, regarding your craft and the desire to achieve. These two aspects don’t always blend well. When you introduce other people into this mix, it can lead to heartbreak, as let’s face it, creative folks tend to operate from emotion, it’s what can beautifully make them stand apart in an ocean of commerce. Garett and I both balance our artistic and analytical sides. (We are true threes on the Enneagram, with equal wings of two and four, if you are familiar.)
During the early stages of starting my business and building my team, a mentor shared a crucial piece of advice with me: “Expect to face challenges every day; make failure your ally and be ready to rise again during the toughest of times, when everything seems to be against you. Every business and individual you admire has experienced failure daily, but their true superpower lies in their ability to get back up, not just once, but every day.” This insight was truly transformative for me. At that point, I had truly thought I could have a successful business and grow with little failure and little heartache. Instead, plan on the flat tire, the best team member to move, the computer to crash, the taxes to be higher than you thought, etc… As an artist, there’s a natural inclination to pursue beauty and present a polished final product. However, at the end of each day, I often confront my shortcomings—miscommunications, incomplete tasks, and a never-ending to-do list. This is particularly true as a business owner; the workload continually expands, especially when one has a vision and is on an evolutionary path. If you find yourself plateauing, it typically signifies that you’ve resigned yourself to stagnation, taken a break, or are considering giving up. The key to personal growth lies in maintaining resilience and embracing the journey. This lesson was impactful then and continues to amaze me. It reflects the true essence of feng shui; its power lies in the process of creating and communicating peace, balance, and calm, never arriving at or simply achieving these states. If I can eat the frog and get three items off my list accomplished, that’s a good day. If I do a few more, I might just open a bottle of champagne.
In the same breath, plan to succeed. In parallel, strategize for success. Consider not only the potential for failure but also the unwavering hope to rise again, improve upon past efforts, and be surprised. Set your goals with the understanding that challenges may arise, and prepare a backup plan to navigate those hurdles. Embracing both strategies will facilitate personal growth and propel you forward on an upward trajectory. Just as you anticipate hurdles, anticipate the miraculous, the beautiful, and the sweetest of surprises.
Another piece of wisdom shared with me is to embrace the moments of humility that come along the journey. It’s natural to feel small in the presence of others who seem to excel, but find the place where you can feel inspired instead and open yourself up to learn from them. It’s natural to feel remorse when you feel you have wronged someone, but also allow for forgiveness and the ability to say you’re sorry, even in business, and even if it is not received. Every experience, especially the challenging ones, offers a chance for reflection and growth. While it’s impossible to satisfy everyone, each setback encourages me to look inward and seek ways to better myself, our team, and our commodity.
Make space in your life for other passions, as they can enrich your business and make it more intriguing and insightful. Through our journey of adoption, I’ve gained valuable insights that highlight the saying, “It takes a village.” This rings true, but only in the context that you first need to reach out for help and identify that village. Integrating other passions (such as family, friendships, travel, humanitarianism, activism, ministry) into your life necessitates inviting others to join you, delegating tasks that may be challenging to relinquish, and surrounding yourself with the right individuals—wise souls and trusted confidants. The people you choose to surround yourself with are crucial when it comes to collaborating effectively and working together seamlessly.
Wisdom can be life or death, especially when navigating challenging experiences that mean so much to you, like adoption. Seeking support from others is essential, as it allows for the sharing of both burdens and joys. By inviting the right people into your journey, you cultivate a circle of trust and understanding. These individuals can offer valuable insights and assistance, making the path forward much more manageable. Remember, it’s about finding those wise souls who can contribute positively, creating an environment where everyone can thrive together. One rotten apple can take the whole team down to where you have to rebuild again. Embracing the support of a community not only lightens your load but also enriches the experience, reminding us all that we are not alone. Just make sure to choose wisely, and remember to bounce back from any setbacks you encounter.
In conclusion, be kind. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind.” When I struggle to find the right words, I focus on simple language that conveys clarity in the kindest manner. This approach has worked well for me. You may still face misunderstandings, but at least you made an effort to be authentic, which will help you rest easy at night and begin again the next day with a fresh start.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
To date, the most significant professional influence on me has been Charlotte M. Smith and her podcast, The Profitable Mindset. This podcast assists farmers in adopting the mindset needed to create a successful farm business. I first encountered her through The Flower Podcast.
You might think this makes no sense, but I believe in embracing the surprises that life offers. A friend had sent me the link to *The Flower Podcast* after I requested some recommendations while I was on vacation at the beach. Little did I know that this particular podcast would end up changing my life and our business forever.
It’s challenging to pinpoint all the ways her podcast has impacted us—it’s truly endless and a trusted source I go to regularly. What initially drew me to her was her authenticity. From there, I became captivated by her ideas surrounding business worthiness and commodity worthiness. She conveys the fundamental truth that we are all worthy, unique individuals, and the world needs us to operate from that understanding of worthiness.
Image Credits
All images by Studiobuell, llc, photographers Garett Buell and Carrie Theobald Buell