We recently connected with Chrissandra Jallah and have shared our conversation below.

Chrissandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have been taking photos since I was a kid. In high school, I learned more about photography from being on the yearbook staff. In college, I was truly just winging it & googling anything I didn’t know. When I began to take my business more seriously, I realized it was important to really invest in photography education. I joined a mentorship program with Samantha Clarke Photography & invested in the Book Brides Bootcamp with Michelle Harris. I’ve also consumed lots of Youtube content from Katelyn James and John Branch IV. My current education focus is less technical & more about mindset, which is equally as important. Currently, I’m learning from Kristin Sweeting in Danger School.

Knowing what I know now, I could have definitely tried to work under a professional photographer earlier. At the time, I viewed photography as a hobby & didn’t realize there was so much information available to help me learn more. I’ve found that the most essential skills are understanding how to use your camera & how to get an image correct in the camera. To me, those are important to make capturing images an easier process & to reduce the amount of time spent editing.The obstacle that stood in the way of learning more was my lack of knowledge. I just wasn’t aware of how much information was available to me. I was also very focused on starting my legal career so I was ok just coasting with my photography.

Chrissandra, 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 lifestyle and wedding photographer that specializes in candids & capturing details. I got into the wedding industry on a whim; I shot my first wedding in 2018 and immediately fell in love. I help my clients feel amazing behind the camera by encouraging them, guiding them through natural posing and making sure they have a great time. Wedding days can be super stressful; I bring a fun & positive spirit into the day, documenting their important moments & all the people that are special to them. I am most proud of how I am able to make anyone look great in a photo. I want potential clients to know that I am there to hold their hand & help them through the entire process, whether it’s a portrait session or their wedding day. My work is a mixture of documentary style with a splash of traditional posing to create timeless images with a creative flair.

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

It’s been fun building a community on social media! It became easier with reels & showing more of my personality. For those who are just getting started, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Your potential clients want to know who you are & that there’s a person behind the business. Your content is supposed to inspire, create or inform. Figure out how those apply to you], your audience & what you want to share.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is knowing that I am a part of capturing legacy. Whether that is a portrait or a photo from a wedding, I am the person freezing a moment in time. A photo has the ability to take you back to memories that may have been buried or almost forgotten. I think it’s amazing to be able to do that for people in my own way.

Contact Info:

• Website: capturedbychris.com
• Instagram: @capturedby_chris
• Facebook: facebook.com/capturedbychris
• Other: Tiktok: @capturedbychris

Image Credits
Headshot by Karim Rashad