We were lucky to catch up with Libby Gear recently and have shared our conversation below.

Libby , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have been a photographer for six years. I picked up a camera for the first time in the 7th grade. I started my own photography business as a freshman in high school and it has only continued to grow since then! I have worked with many different teams, athletes, families, couples, and seniors capturing some of life’s most important moments! However, there is one experience that stands out among the rest! The summer after my freshman year in college I worked for a summer camp called Pine Cove. I went into the summer thinking I would work five weeks as a camp counselor. However, at the end of week five our camp director approached me and said, “we are in need of a media content creator for the remainder of the summer. I know you are very talented with a camera and wanted to ask if you could stay, this team really needs you.” I only had a couple of hours to think before I had to give him an answer. After thinking about it and talking with my family I decided to dedicate the remainder of my summer to capturing the many memories this camp was providing. I spent the next month capturing the smiles, laughs, and activities that took place each and every day. As a christian camp I knew these pictures were not only serving as a memory for these campers, but I was also providing a ministry to the parents at home. They were able too see how much fun their kids were having and how much joy the Gospel brought them. This experience gave me a new perspective on my photos and reminded me the impact that they can have on the lives of so many people. Pine Cove continues to use my photos to promote their camp and it is beyond meaningful to know that my photos are serving as a ministry and continuing to be seen and impact the lives of so many people!

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 name is Libby Gear and I have been a photographer for six years! I work to provide fun and affordable photoshoots to people all across Texas! I have worked with sports, seniors, families, and couples capturing life’s most important moments. I strive to create a fun and relaxed environment that allow my clients to feel comfortable and allows them to be 100% themselves. I also strive to provide a service that is flexible both with people’s schedules but also budget knowing that everyone deserves to be able to capture the important moments in life! I love providing people with photos that serve as memories of their biggest moments in life!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love providing a service to people that captures their most important moments in life. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that my photoshoots and pictures bring joy to so many people. It is beyond important to me to provide a service that is both rewarding and meaningful. It is through my photography that I am able to accomplish this and provide a service that in many ways serves clients for the rest of their lives! The quote, “a picture is worth a thousand words” serves as a daily reminder to me that my pictures are so much more than just a stilled image. My pictures are a reminder to people of the amazing experiences we have in life, and they serve as a reminder of the many emotions we feel in those moments. Photos bring joy to so many people and that is the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer.

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

I grew up as a very competitive athlete and spent much of my childhood on different teams meeting new people including teammates, coaches, trainers, and families. As I got older and into high school being an athlete opened many doors for my photography. It was through the many relationships I had built over the years with so many different people that allowed me to have so many amazing opportunities. I was able to take pictures of friends, coaches, trainers, and teammates that helped me gain both experience but also a following. Since high school I have gone on to play in college and I have found that it is through my relationship with many different athletes that has allowed my photography to continue to grow. The relationships I have built have led to countless opportunities and have allowed me to continue to grow my business!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: libbygearphotography
• Facebook: Libby Gear Photography
• Twitter: @GearLibby

Image Credits
Libby Gear took all of these nine photos.