We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Starkey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

Hi! I am Crystal Starkey owner of Crystal Starkey Photography.. To make my couples feel that we appreciate them is start off by telling them on our website.

After photographing more than 350 weddings over the past 16 years…

I’ve really come to value the unexpected, intimate moments that take place on a wedding day.

The hug your mom gives you before you leave your dressing room.

The tear that falls down his cheek when he sees you walking down the aisle..

The way the two of you lean your heads together during the toasts.

This day is about more than the flowers and the shoes you chose. It’s about celebrating the start of a new family. It’s an honor to play a part in such a significant day.

YOUR LIVELY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, CANDLE LIGHT GLOWING ON MESSY TABLES. A HEART ABOUT TO EXPLODE WITH JOY FROM BEING WITH YOUR NEAREST AND DEAREST. NO OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT BUT MAGIC!

I’m here to document your love story in a way that feels deeply personal and profoundly impactful. Whether you’re eloping in the mountains, exchanging vows in your backyard or getting married in a poplar venue; I am dedicated to capturing every moment authentically and artistically..

WORKING WITH COUPLES JUST LIKE YOU IS MY DREAM.

You’re different. You want extravagance AND adventure. Something fun that feels spontaneous but is also filled with sentimental, intentional moments.

This is an example of verbiage I use to make my clients feel warm, comfortable and confident that I am the right photographer for them..

I also work with their budgets. If they can’t afford their dream package then I come down on my price so they can afford it. This makes them feel really special that they just received a great deal and they feel special.

I also surprise them with an add-on. This year every couple received a content creator for FREE.

Lastly I over deliver. I always tell my clients 12 weeks turn around time on editing and surprise them with a two week delivery of their full gallery.

Customer experience is the greatest gift you can give them and make them feel you appreciate them.

In return we have 5 stars on google, The Knot and Wedding Wire. That tells me that we are delivering exceptional customer service.

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?

My background is Healthcare Administration. I was an RN for Baptist Hospital for 10 years before I got my Masters in Health Care Administration. I then left Baptist to manage an OB/GYN clinic. That’s where my career evolved and I managed multiple clinics.

Over 16 years ago I gave birth to my daughter and said I wasn’t going back to work. I hired another photographer to take my daughter’s newborn portraits and we hit it off. I showed her my work that I did as a hobby, then she asked me to start a business with her. We named it Twice as Chic. We provided weddings super cheap starting out. We advertised on Craigslist and that’s where the majority of our clients came from. We charged $500 for 6 hour weddings. Our books were filled with clients. We did raise our prices after a few months but it was still very affordable.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Three years ago I stuffed a major medical crisis. I had previously had my colon removed, then I suffered a volvulus, which is a twisting of the bowel which blocks off blood flow to the bowel. I was rushed into emergency surgery, where I went into respiratory arrest and was put on a ventilator for three weeks after that I was in a coma for about a week. My family did not know if I would survive or not. The doctor did not give much hope. It’s taking me three years to fully recover and I can’t even say I’m fully recovered, but I feel well enough to restart my business..

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My team and I are super close.. We communicate frequently and have night outs biweekly, where I treat them to dinner. We go back to my house and do something fun like play a game or just sit in gossip . This lifts their spirits and creates high morale.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CrystalStarkeyphotography.com
• Other: TikTok: Crystal.Starkey.Photos

Image Credits

Bridal Gown: Miranda Marie Bridal
Coordinate: nothingminorevents
Florist; ehblooms
Venue: brooksmuseum
Cake: brownbaguette Sationary Shannon Scripts Behind the Scenes: madebyglyde
Stationary jbwickliffecreations Photography: Crystal Starkey Photography
Hair: designer_hair_by_candice Cocktails: candybar_bartender
Attire: bliss.bridalmemphis
Bride Anastasia Quarles
Groom: terrykey
Tux: tomkors_official
Concept: Persuasion Photography