We were lucky to catch up with Charlotte Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Charlotte thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Photography as always been a huge part of who I am, I loved capturing moments with friends in high school and even in college. When working with clients, I always strive to understand what we are looking to capture. Is it the love of a family at a family shoot, the story it’s taken to get to a couple’s wedding day, or someone being comfortable in who they are. What emotion do we want to feel when we look back at this photo years from now.

I learned very quickly that my connection with my clients is what allows me to tell the story of their lives and feel what they are feeling in that moment.

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?

Who is Capturing Yinz and the woman behind it well that’s a very complex question. Because the woman behind it is extremely complex and raw. I show up authentically for my clients. I have learned throughout life, that being who we are in that moment goes way further with clients than “faking it till ya make it”. I show up to the best of my abilities and share if something is in my wheelhouse, as someone who has spent 10+ years in marketing and specializing in branding I always try to remember what is the story. I am quick on my feet to solve problems that arise and have no problem being the personality in the room that brings everyone together both to have fun and to be efficient. If I could have my clients walk away with one thing from an experience with me it’s that their authenticity is their light that they get to shine in the world.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

For me what has been a driving force in my business is building my authentic brand while still healing and discovering myself. I struggled with who I was in my teens and early adult years and it took until my late 20’s to really be okay with not being the most liked person in the room. I know that who I am is unique and what I bring to the table no one else can. So many of my clients and fellow business owners search to have the perfect shoot to look like what they saw on IG or Tik Tok and compare their experiences to others. To me this mission that I am on is to embrace who we are in this moment.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

My clients are really my favorite part of this journey, getting to be with them through lifes ups and downs capture great moments and also see them through everything. My clients know that I want them to experience other photographers and to support other businesses that align with them. The thing I have done to keep in touch with my clients is my newsletters- I am not blasting them all the time but when meaningful things are happening. I also make it a point to ask for feedback, their experience helps me to shape my business into being a better experience for them the next time or for others. And sometimes hearing feedback can be hard. But this one simple question has allowed my clients to know how much I appreciate them, which has lead to recommendations and that has what has fostered brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.capturingyinz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturing_yinz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapturingYinz/

Image Credits

Headshot credit: Ash Coniglio IG: @ashconiglio