Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa Boyd.
Hi Christa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a love for photography. My family always made jokes, since camera phones became big and convenient, that you’d always find me with a camera in hand whether that be an actual camera or phone camera. I always knew that photography was something I wanted to dive into but watching the photographers around me intimidated me so I put off starting my own business. I have spent the past five years just editing my own photos and focusing on taking family photos. A little over a year ago, I had a son and became a stay at home mom and he became my inspiration for session ideas. After he was born, I started a photography page and one day, I thought “let’s do a mechanic session at home!” So I did just that and it went viral! When that happened, I started getting people asking for all kinds of sessions and I just went in headfirst and didn’t look back. It was the best decision I ever made.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road. Photography is expensive and I didn’t realize how expensive it was until I truly started diving into it. There’s so much behind the scenes that the outside world doesn’t realize like, equipment, editing software, presets, lens, all the props, and time you spend editing. There was a time I was definitely putting in more money than I was making and it was hard but I chose to keep going so that I could provide a better life for my son while also doing something I absolutely love to do. I have definitely had my moments of questioning if I’m good enough but then I get a response from a client saying how much they love their album or they will send me pictures of photos I have taken of them hanging in their home and I realize it’s those moments that I absolutely adore.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a lifestyle photographer. Which means I capture people’s everyday life. The way they hug their partners while they have kids running around them or capturing the raw emotion and pure love of holding their newborn or the total surprise of turning around and seeing their partner on one knee. Getting to be present for those moments and interpret my point of view through my lens it’s honestly an incredible feeling. I love to get the real life moments. I focus more on candid moments and genuine reactions rather than superposed looks or just smiles. My main focus is families and children but I love to capture it all. More so than the work, I’m most proud of the genuine connections I’ve made in my community. I have come across some of the best people that I now call some of my closest friends. Through this profession, I have also come across other business owners who like me are trying to make a mark on their community and I love that. I think I’m different from others in the sense that I combined two styles of editing. I call my “style” moody vibrant. I like to have the darker tones but bring out the pops of color!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Honestly if you have read this and you thought, “I really want to try photography!” I say, DO IT. You are the only thing holding you back. There is plenty of room for everyone in this profession and if it’s something you love to do, it’ll be so so so rewarding in the end!
Contact Info:
- Email: Runningriverphotography1@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/runningriver_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Runningriverphoto/
Image Credits
Christa Boyd Owner of Running River Photography
