Today we’d like to introduce you to Calli Crawford.
Hi Calli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
In 2017, I was feeling a little lost after graduating college, as I think so many people do! I started working in the industry that I had my degree in and it was leaving me completely drained. I was on the wrong path career-wise and I felt stuck. I actually bought a camera thinking that I was going to get into making YouTube videos about home decor, DIY projects, etc., and over time I realized that it wasn’t for me.
One day, on a whim, I decided to do a photoshoot with a friend just for fun and I fell in LOVE with photography. Bringing a creative vision to life, getting to be outdoors in nature, even the time spent editing the photos afterwards- I adored every aspect of it! At this point in time, making photography a career wasn’t even a thought in my mind. I posted the photos I took of my friend online and suddenly other people were asking me to take photos of them, too! I dove head-first into learning and researching everything I could about cameras and photography and did a lot of shoots for free or next to nothing to gain experience while I was learning.
Fast forward to almost a year later, I saw a post for a local photographer that needed an emergency second shooter for a wedding and I responded. After making sure they were aware of my lack of experience, they agreed to give me a chance. Even though I was confident in my skills, I was soooo nervous! I can still remember the feeling of my nerves melting away during the ceremony as I was swept away by the emotion of it all. Capturing photos of the sweet couple proclaiming their love for one another, while surrounded by their closest loved ones, made me feel so alive. In that moment, I knew that this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I wasn’t sure how, but I knew that photographing weddings was my calling and that I was going to do whatever it took to make it my career.
Now, 5 years and too many weddings to count later, wedding photography is my full-time career! I could not be more ecstatic that I get to do what I’m passionate about while giving couples beautiful images to relive one of the best days of their lives through!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely been I-4 construction zone levels of bumpy at times! Navigating how to run a business and learning photography have both come with their own set of obstacles and challenges.
When it comes to the business aspect, I’m extremely grateful for my mom. She ran many of her own successful businesses for years and has always been there to share her knowledge and experience with me whenever I’ve needed advice.
As far as photography goes, I’ve learned almost everything I know through years of pouring over online educational resources. When I was first starting out, I didn’t know any other photographers. In the beginning, If I had questions that I couldn’t find an answer to online, I had to use a lot of trial and error.
Eventually, I started pushing to get out of my comfort zone and met other photographers in the industry. This helped immensely. Not only was I able to bounce my ideas off of them, but we were able to share our knowledge and experience with each other as well. I’ve met so many other amazing photographers that I’m now lucky enough to call my friends. It makes me so proud to be a part of an industry that’s full of wonderful humans who value community over competition!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in documenting love stories! I photograph weddings, engagements, and elopements for couples worldwide.
What sets me apart from other photographers in the industry is my ability to make anyone feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. This really allows for the true emotion of the moment to shine through in the images!
I realize that being in front of a camera can be an extremely vulnerable thing for many people, myself included, so when people tell me that they felt really comfortable and had a great time having their photos taken (and that they love their photos, of course!), it’s truly one of the highest compliments I can receive.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is documenting my couples in a way that’s authentic to them while providing a comfortable and personal experience from the moment they inquire.
Photography – and especially wedding photography – is so very personal and I never want my couples to feel like they’re just a business transaction. These are photos that they are going to have forever. These may be the last photos ever captured of a loved one and I don’t take that lightly. I think that there are some photographers that get into weddings for the wrong reasons. Sure, the glitz and glam of weddings is a lot of fun, but what matters most to me is putting myself in my couple’s shoes and capturing their day in a way that’s true to them. Not what will get the most likes on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.callicrawfordphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callicrawfordphotography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalliCrawfordPhotography
