Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katy Jo Caringer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katy Jo , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How has Covid changed your business model?
When the pandemic hit in early 2020, suddenly many of my clients had to quickly cancel photoshoots due to government mandated shutdowns, and my revenue stream was suddenly non-existent. I had to shift my business model to stay afloat, so I began offering new services including social media management and website design.
I used the new free time quarantined at home to learn how to create online portfolios for my clients using the imagery I already had on file, and creating custom content to boost their social media presence. Adapting to the changing needs of my clients and identifying new opportunities outside of photography allowed me to get back on a successful track.
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?
I’m an outdoor enthusiast and freelance photographer newly based in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. I began my own freelance photography business in 2019 after many years of dreaming to one day turn my passion for photography into a full-time career.
As an avid snowboarder and rock climber, I’m always seeking out new adventures to explore Earth’s natural playgrounds of mountains and waves, finding total freedom and solitude in the wilderness of nature.
After graduating with a Business degree from the University of Arizona, I began my professional career in the action sport industry, working for the surf brand Quiksilver in Huntington Beach, CA. After discovering my heart was meant to be in the mountains, I moved to Denver, CO to begin working for Quiksilver in the snowboard industry. I spent many years working in sales and marketing for a few different outdoor companies, eventually taking a leap of faith and starting my own photography business at the age of 34. Leaving the comfort of a steady paycheck was one of the scariest decisions I’d ever made, but I knew I had to follow this calling that my heart always dreamed of.
I created KJ Studios in my studio apartment in Denver, initially taking on every gig that came my way to gain new skills. From live music and events, to company headshots and family portraits, I eventually specialized in residential and commercial projects, documenting my personal travel adventures along the way. From capturing live music festivals in Costa Rica to photographing million dollar mountain homes in the Rocky Mountains, it’s exhilarating to be chasing this dream I worked for so many years.
I’m looking forward to evolving my business beyond photography for a wide variety of clients, all while capturing the beauty of this planet as long as I can.
“Using two raw materials of light and time, photography is the beauty of a life captured.” – Unknown
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My first year of business in 2019 was off to a great start as I was building my clientele and traveling to some new destinations I’d always dreamed of. Suddenly everything changed when the pandemic hit in early 2020, with many clients canceling scheduled photoshoots due to government shutdowns. I had to shift my business model to adapt to the changing needs of my clients, offering additional services beyond photography. I spent many late nights learning how to build websites and perfect my social media skills, taking online courses and watching endless youtube tutorials.
Before I knew it, stress and exhaustion slowly started to creep in, due to the constant pressure of looming deadlines and trying to manage everything that comes with running your own business. I found myself facing full-on burnout, followed with periods of anxiety, depression and missed opportunities due to my limited bandwidth. I knew I was burned out when I started to resent a passion I once loved. Striving for perfection and comparing myself to other rising photographers began to hamper my success, and I no longer felt the happiness and joy my business used to bring me.
When I finally admitted to myself that I was burned out, I took the time to evaluate my goals and business model. I began to make changes to take better care of my physical and mental well-being. I sought out help from advisors, friends and family, and learned how to lean into rejection and use it as a creative push. I had to learn how to establish boundaries between my work and personal life, and carve out time for the things that brought me joy. I took steps to refine my workflow and utilized business software to automate the parts of my business that were most time consuming.
In the past 3 months, I’ve felt my spirit stirring again, and my love for photography has returned. Now that I’m back in balance, my business and revenue stream has started to flow again. I’m grateful for the strength I have gained through all the ups and downs, rising up with new resiliency and confidence to continue chasing my dreams everyday.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
When I’m creating something new, my spirit feels alive, my imagination is vibrant and my soul feels connected to my heart. Living a life in the arts is not an easy journey, but it’s absolutely a journey worth taking.
It’s so rewarding to see the smile on a client’s face when I deliver a gallery that captures their beautiful work and showcases it on their new website. Helping other artists and business owners connect with their community and share their creative expression creates a cycle of positive energy that continues to give back in so many ways.
For anyone out there dreaming of living a creative life or wanting to start their own business: start with writing down your goals and then making small steps each day to achieve those goals. Stay curious and follow your heart… the more you want it, the more you deserve it. There is nothing greater than the magic you will feel doing what you love everyday.
Contact information:
- Website: www.katyjophoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katy_jo_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katyjophoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katycaringer/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/katyjophoto
Image Credits
Katy Jo of KJ Studios