We were lucky to catch up with Esther Frederick recently and have shared our conversation below.
Esther, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Dedication, a good work ethic, and discipline. Patience is also a virtue.
Be dedicated to your business and the vision you have for your life. Find ways to challenge yourself and never stop learning. Constantly grow and improve in your craft.
Work hard while maintaining a good attitude and give it your best every time. Treat everyone with kindness and serve your clients well.
Be disciplined and hold yourself accountable. Complete the less than exciting task in a timely and professional manner.
I believe even creativity is a discipline. Creatives don’t feel inspired 100% of the time, so you can’t just wait around for inspiration to strike. You have to decide to create something, and then those creative juices will start flowing. Showing up is half the battle; creativity will meet you along the way.
Esther, 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 Esther, destination wedding photographer, globetrotter, and dessert lover. I specialize in film photography to capture romantic and editorial style imagery. I’m based in Fort Worth, TX, but frequently travel to Seattle and NYC as well. I always have a case of wanderlust and get so excited to see where my next wedding or session will take me!
I started photography at a young age, and the camera quickly became an extension of my eye. I love sharing a piece of my heart through each photograph and excitement fills me each time I pick up my camera. I’ve had a passion for weddings for as long as I can remember, and it’s the greatest honor to be a part of so many amazing couples’ big day.
It’s a priority to help people feel comfortable in front of my camera and I feel the testament to that is I’m often told my work looks peaceful and has a candid quality. Having photos taken with your love should be a relaxing and fun time to simply enjoy being together. It’s magical when I look through my lens after composing a shot and I feel it — the beauty, the affection, and the happiness — it’s what inspires me to click the shutter. I approach each session with intentionality and a vision. From location recommendations to wardrobe choices, styling the magazine worthy session of your dreams comes together seamlessly to give you an unforgettable experience.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Networking, collaborating with other creatives, and a social media presence.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
When I was about 12 or 13, I remember someone telling me they didn’t want to live for the weekend, and that’s always stuck with me. I didn’t want to hate my job, and doing something I loved for a living seemed like the most incredible thing. There’s been multiple times I’ve thought about pursuing other, more “stable,” careers, but those thoughts were rooted in fear. Awhile back, I asked myself if I would still want to do photography if I didn’t make money from it or even if no one else saw my work. The answer was, “Yes.” I love photography, pure and simple. Making it a career has enabled me to merge it with my passion for travel and live aligned with my definition of success, on my own terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.estherfrederickphotography.com/
- Instagram: @esther_frederick_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estherfrederickphoto/
Image Credits
Esther Frederick Photography