Today we’d like to introduce you to Candi Clark.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started in photography right out of high school by making models out of everyone I knew. I slowly began charging for sessions as I felt more comfortable with my abilities and became pretty busy with photography over the next few years, but not enough to quit my job. I wanted to find a way to make photography my full-time job year-round. This led me to Orlando, where I could marry my family’s love for Disney and my love for photography, but I couldn’t move to a new city and start from scratch.
With support from my family, I began traveling from Atlanta to Orlando every weekend to shoot and build my portfolio, and after a year, we were able to put a for sale sign in our yard in Georgia and move for my work. In the five years since, I have photographed people from all over the world visiting Orlando and get to spend every day laughing and making memories with new friends. Moving to Orlando to start this business was a big leap of faith, but I am so thankful for the relationships I have built here and for the success of my business. I went from a few sessions a month to shooting over 300 families in 2019!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been struggles. I believe every photographer struggles, in the beginning, getting their name out there and creating enough business to survive. I have a lot of people to thank for getting my name out there and being my cheerleaders, and there were many hours spent on social media talking to people and pushing my own name out there. Starting this business was more than a full-time job. While working an actual full-time job and raising three kids, I had a lot of long days. The pandemic has brought some of these same growing pains back around, but it looks like things will be getting back to “normal” soon, and I am very thankful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I pride myself in being able to capture each person’s unique personality and to help them feel at ease being in front of the camera. Having your picture made creates anxiety for a lot of people, and I love to be able to show them that it can be fun! Each photographer has a unique style, and while I may not be for everyone, I think my casual style and the laid-back vibe is what sets me apart from others. I want to capture your real family and your real moments. I don’t worry myself over kids who won’t sit. Still, I enjoy shooting them just the way they are.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
With the rate at which technology is changing the field of photography every day, it is hard to imagine what could be next! Now that everyone has an amazing camera in their pocket, I imagine the next 5-10 years to be hard on photographers starting out; they will have to find a way to bring something to the table that parents can’t get using their phones.
Contact Info:
- Email: magicalpixbycandi@gmail.com
- Website: www.magicalpix.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicalpixbycandi/
