Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Krauss-Coryell.
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 became interested in photography in middle school when I was on the yearbook staff. I realized that I really enjoyed taking pictures. My high school offered photography classes, so of course, I made sure to be a part of those. I took three years of photography classes and feel in love. We mostly did film, which is where my love began. From only having 24 or 36 shots, getting to develop our own film and produce our pictures in the darkroom, I felt like I could do that forever. My photography teacher and dad were the ones who really encouraged me to go after this passion. Of course, I could have chosen to just start my own business and grow from there but I wanted to learn so much more about the industry and shooting in general.
So, after high school, I decided to full on pursue photography. I attended Daytona State College for their photography program, then continued onto UCF, connected with DSC’s photography program to receive my Bachelors in Photographic Studies. I truly loved being a part of that program and being around such creative people who pushed me to challenge myself and my work. When I graduated, I wasn’t 100% about opening my own business so instead, I worked on finding a job in the industry. I worked for a couple of photography-based companies while still doing my own work on the side. As time went on, I realized how much I wanted to grow my own business so I took the leap and officially started Angela June Photography in 2019. I think one of the craziest things is that in college, I swore I would never get into wedding photography because I just didn’t think I could handle the pressure that someone’s biggest day could bring. Now, here I am, with my own photography business, photographing weddings and portraiture every week and loving it!!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have learned so much from becoming a business owner!!! I think my biggest struggle was just getting started and believing that I could do this as my job. All the beginning paperwork and licenses and ughhhh taxes!!! Math is so not my thing, so that alone was so stressful. I received an amazing amount of help from my mom with all the getting started administrative work, which I am incredibly thankful for. I officially started my business, Angela June Photography in 2019. I was new to just about everything and trying to gain a constant clientele. Then, COVID hit. It hit our entire industry incredibly hard so learning how to navigate through that was challenging but the outcome created the busiest season I’d ever had this past spring.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I photograph people and some of the biggest events in our lives. I mostly photograph weddings/couples but have done everything portraiture-based (proposals, high school/college grads, etc.) I think I’m known for making my clients feel very comfortable in front of the camera, specifically if they have never had professional pictures taken. I am also a very action-based photographer, I give my clients things to do as we shoot to bring out their personalities instead of just stand there and smile. Giving clients actions allows them to be more playful and who they are starts to shine through.
I am most proud of just starting and taking that leap to begin my business. Starting is definitely the scariest part, but it was the best decision I ever made. I think what sets me apart from others is my personality. I know I can be loud and crazy and not afraid to be myself, so showing that shows my clients that they can be crazy/silly too. I think being real with all my clients creates a really unique relationship, especially with my couples, since I am there throughout every step of the wedding planning process and sometimes beyond.
Can you talk about how you think about risk?
Risk-taking is one of the most terrifying things. I have such a tendency to overthink and question, “well, what if this doesn’t work out,” “what if I can’t make it,” “what if no one hires me,” etc. It’s just a chance you take and have faith that if you work hard enough, you will get to where you want.
I remember a very specific moment where I was working for a photography company before starting my business, and I so badly wanted to just quit and work for myself. I didn’t care about the obvious pay cut or the fact that I would have to do basically everything for myself to even start. I was terrified of failing. I was chatting with a co-worker, they knew my want to start my business; they told me, “the fear of failing will always be there, but if you want it bad enough, you’ll make it.” I mean, they had more confidence/belief in my than I did myself but I knew, in my core, I wanted to take that risk minus everything that could go wrong.
Pricing:
- Weddings begin at: $1500
- Engagement/Couple portraits begin at $300
- Family Portraits begin at $400 (for a family of 4)
- High school seniors begin at $200
- College graduates $200
Contact Info:
- Email: angela@angelajunephoto.com
- Website: https://www.angelajunephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelajunephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJunePhoto/
