We recently connected with Chrissy DePauw and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chrissy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I were starting over, I wouldn’t waste years trying to figure things out on my own. I would have found a mentor immediately! I would have signed up for that high dollar course if I had to work two jobs for a few months! As soon as I started having these things in place, my business skyrocket in a matter of months. There’s no sense in making the same mistakes someone else has already made. Accept the help. Pay for the education! Find the mentors!

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?

Hi! I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I moved to Los Angeles straight out of high school to chase the dream of being a professional musician. I had some success landing music in television and film, and even sold over 50,000 hard copy CD’s hand to hand while performing on the Santa Monica Promenade and playing local venues and national college shows. But it far from provided the financial stability needed to thrive in a place like Los Angeles.

Fast forward to me brainstorming what I could possibly do for a side hustle that allowed me flexibility for my music. My husband and I had just moved into a gorgeous Spanish style townhome that came with a two car garage, and my penchant for crafting led me to upholstery. For the next decade my whole life revolved around making custom beds and headboards in my two car alley garage. What started as a side hustle to create time for music, ended up being all consuming. The last several years of the business I was looking for an out, but had built up a loyal clientele that just wouldn’t let that happen. I bought a starter DSLR camera to take better photos of my work, and started playing around taking photos of friends. It immediately ignited something in me that desperately needed to come out.

I always loved taking photos of my friends. As a kid, I would dress my friends up, do their makeup and take my long rectangle camera to the beach and take photos of all of them. But never once did I think of it as a career option. I would happily hire photographers to take photos of me for album covers or promo materials. Never once did I idolize their jobs. It was just not on my radar! But now, now I was yearning to take photos! Of anyone and everyone! I tried families, weddings, pets, parties and events, but one thing captured my soul. Women. There was something about giving a woman a new perspective on herself that was addicting and so satisfying.

I had been juggling both photography and furniture for several years when the Pandemic hit. All of a sudden my schedule was clear and the world was quiet. It was a catastrophic time in the world but I know it also gave so many people like myself the time to fully engross ourselves in creating our dream lives. So in the middle of the pandemic, Chrissy René Studios was born.

Chrissy René Studios is a luxury full service women’s portrait studio dedicated to photographing women in any way the makes them feel gorgeous, sexy, powerful, fun, playful, and renewed. I work with so many mothers, nurses, teachers, military wives, doctors and business owners that say they’ve lost the essence of who they are. The daily grind can take such a toll on us, so I wanted to create an experience to help women tap back into to that. To give them beautiful images of themselves that help them remember who they are. To remind them that putting themselves first if not only good for them but for everyone they come in contact with. I know we’re all aware of the saying to put your own oxygen mask on first, but we as women need to be reminded that self love and self care need to take priority. It is my sincere hope that every woman experiences a professional photoshoot just for them and feels the magical aftermath.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I always try to talk to prospective clients on the phone. Being that it’s such a personal experience, I like to ask what drew them to wanting to work with me. Almost always, they say it’s the simple fact that I showcase so many different types of women beautifully. All skin colors, body shapes, ages etc. I say “simple fact” because it really is that simple and I don’t see why all photographers aren’t showcasing that. If you serve the general public, I think it’s so important to represent everyone. America is a melting pot of so many different beautiful humans and I want them all to know that not only are they welcome in my studio, but that I know how to photograph their skin tones, how to accentuate their curves, their lean bodies or their mommy tummies. I definitely subscribe to the Every Body is Beautiful sentiment!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The absolute best source for new clients has been word of mouth. I do my best to leave each client feeing so amazing about themselves and giddy about their experience that they can’t help but tell their friends and family. We all know that people buy from those they “know, like and trust”. In a word of mouth referral, those things are pretty much guaranteed to be passed on to the family or friend they’re speaking to. I still pay for ads via google and Facebook, but I’m working towards being all word of mouth within 1-2 years.

Contact Info:

• Website: ChrissyReneStudios.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Chrissy.Rene.Studios
• Facebook: Facebook.com/ChrissyReneStudios

Image Credits
Liam Sinnot Chrissy René Depauw