We were lucky to catch up with Ciarra Rico recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ciarra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

When I read this question I immediately saw my mama’s face. Ever since I was younger all I wanted was to be like her, and now twenty two years later I still look at her with the same eyes little Ciarra did. The word “hero” by definition is defined as, “brave, champion, person of courage, honor, conquering hero, victor, warrior.” The word hero is everything that my mom is, by both definition and to me. I’d like to include that our relationship isn’t perfect, because that’s important to note. Every relationship takes intentional work and has imperfect moments, but I can’t imagine being where I am today without my mom walking alongside me. From navigating adulthood, relationships, entrepreneurship, being a good human and loving Jesus with all of your heart, I get a front row seat to watch my mama lead and love by example with her own life. My mom has always encouraged my sisters and I that no dream is too big to dream, no goal is too far to reach, and the greatest influence she has given me is the belief that anything I set my heart to do is achievable. Anything.

Ciarra, 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 name is Ciarra and the C in Ciarra C Photography comes from my middle name Caroline. I am twenty two years old, a photographer inspired by natural light and people, and mostly serve the DFW area. I am engaged to be married this June to the most beautiful girl and together we have two fur babies. I’m an enneagram 9 (if you’re into that stuff), love to travel but equally love being home, and Jesus and my family are the most important things to me.

I have always loved photography. Growing up I would always take photos for fun of family and friends, although I never believed I could turn a passion like photography into a career. It wasn’t until my senior photoshoot with Lucy Krodell Photography that that belief would change. If we are being honest, being in front of the camera can feel intimidating and vulnerable, (side note: I still gets nervous being the one in front of the camera, so you’re not alone!), but Lucy gave me an experience that created a space for me to feel safe, loved, seen, and documented our time together beyond anything I could have ever imagined. After our session together I realized being a photographer wasn’t an impossible dream and I wanted to create and give other people an experience like Lucy gave me. It was then that a fire ignited inside of me and a dream was planted that wouldn’t stop nudging my heart.

I’d like to say that I was inspired and immediately chased after the dream I had, but that’s not the truth. At seventeen I never saw anyone like me, and it felt like the desire in my heart would just remain there, stored away. It wasn’t until an associates degree later and facing the truth that I was settling for safety that I would decide that if I fail then at least I had the courage to try. That was in 2019 and now here you are reading about ME! Seventeen year old Ciarra would never believe she actually did it, but she did. I did. And I know she would think “I always knew we could do it.”

I think what sets me apart is my purpose and my why. Maybe that sounds like a cliche and that’s okay with me, because really my purpose, my why, is you. Yes, you. The heart of Ciarra C Photography is not driven by how much money I can make or how many followers I get. The heart of Ciarra C Photography is driven by people and the desire to not just take great photos but to connect with the people I get to work with. When I asked God what my business would be it was these three words: passion, purpose, people. I realized He was showing me that photography, specifically in my life, would go beyond passion. Photography in my life is the doorway He provided to reach and love people. All people. To love you.

I am proud of the brand I am building and still building. A brand that honors and loves Jesus with everything, that encourages and welcomes authenticity, self love, self belief, and the truth that all moments and people are worth documenting. I am proud that the foundation of Ciarra C Photography is built with Jesus as the center, because without Him nothing I do is possible. I want everyone that works with me, wants to work with me, or is thinking about working with me, to know that here everyone is loved and welcome at the table. Here there is room for you and here you belong.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is the ability to meet and connect with people from all walks of life, equally as much as the end product that is the photos. I have been invited and trusted into so many incredible and vulnerable moments with people, strangers turned friends, and it’s something I don’t take lightly. During our time together I welcome crying, laughter, grief, reflection, joy, posed and authentic moments, because to me it all matters. Being able to give people something that is physically tangible after our time together, something they love and can look back on for years to come, is a bonus to being allowed in and trusted by the people I photograph.

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

I like this question a lot. Mostly because social media is an incredible tool, but also because social media is just that, a tool. I feel like our society puts so much pressure to be the best at social media, making sure you post regularly, always have new content, are constantly engaging, staying up to date with trends, and the list goes on. It’s both rewarding and exhausting, and although I do believe those two can coexist with one another I don’t believe they have to. If we are being honest, my secret to building my audience is by being yourself. If creating videos doesn’t feel like you, that’s okay. If talking on camera or sharing something doesn’t feel like you, that’s okay. If posting only once a week or once a month feels like enough for you, that’s okay. There is no specific roadmap you have to follow or do other than the one you create.

June of 2021 I nearly lost my mother to COVID-19 and seven months later, February 2022, we lost our bonus dad unexpectedly. Both times I stepped away from social media for long periods. Both times my social media never lost its following and my business never slowed down. I say that because there is this idea that if you take pauses, or step away from social media temporarily, that everything you’ve worked for will be for nothing or people will forget you. But the greatest thing a friend once told me is, “what God calls you to He sustains,” and nothing has ever been truer. My advice, remember that social media is just a tool and how it is used, the relationship you build with it, your audience, is up to you. I encourage you to build and create a space that allows your audience to see you, be human, share your heart and what matters to YOU. In being who you are you will attract the people you’re meant to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ciarracphotography.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciarracphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciarracphotography