Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Wright Felton.
Hi Camille, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your back story.
I have always been interested in photography, but I began practicing regularly after I had kids. As they got older, I decided I wanted to learn more about photography. I took classes and workshops at The Showcase School and Emory University’s evening program. I got a Certificate in Digital Photography from Emory in 2011.
I started out shooting mainly landscapes, urban and natural. I got guidance on that from members of Sistagraphy, a collective of Black women photographers based in Atlanta. I added portraits after getting feedback on a few personal portraits I did from a juror during an Atlanta Celebrates Photography portfolio review.
I sort of fell into headshots. One colleague told another that I could take her profile photos for a dating site. She was my first headshot client. After that, I did some (a lot) of research to find out if that could be a viable business. Next, I found a style I liked and learned from the photographer who created it, Peter Hurley. Last fall he named me as one of his Associate Photographers.
Right now, I’m building my photography business while working in my day job as a copy editor. In addition to doing sessions with paid clients, I volunteer for an organization called Portraits for Patriots. We provide high-quality headshots for service members who are transitioning from military to civilian careers.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a business is not easy. When I first started, it didn’t work as well as I would have liked. I eventually set it aside for a few years. A couple of years ago, I decided to give it another shot. I approach it differently now. I’ve done more research and learned about the business side of things.
Now I spend more time working on things like website design, SEO, and connecting to potential clients through social media and in-person networking. I’ve had to change how I look at my abilities. Instead of thinking that I’m not a businessperson, or I’m not good at sales, I know that I am capable of learning how to manage a business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Category 5 Photography?
I am a headshot photographer. I specialize in taking photos that show off a client’s personality, confidence, and approachability.
I have spent the majority of my working life in TV and online news. As a writer and producer, my job is to choose words and images to tell a story in the best way possible. As a copy editor, I refine someone else’s words to make sure whoever is reading, watching, or listening understands the story the writer and producer are trying to tell.
I believe my work as a photographer is essentially the same. You know your story. I’ll work with you to make the photographs you need to tell your story to your audience, whether it’s headshots for a business or social media audience.
I do individual sessions, as well as on-location headshots for teams who need to update their employee websites. I also do on-site headshot stations. If you have a conference or other event, a new headshot is a great “swag” item to offer your attendees or board members.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I named my company Category 5 Photography because my father named me after a Category 5 hurricane. He told me once that I’ve lived up to it. I decided to take that as a compliment!
Pricing:
- Entry Level Session – $350; includes one Finished Image
- The Entrepreneur – $450; includes two Finished Images
- The CEO – $550; includes four Finished Images
- The Artist – $650; includes eight Finished Images
- Branding Sessions Start at $750
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.category5photography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/category5photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Category5Photo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillewrightfelton/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/category5photo
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/category-5-photography
Image Credits
Charles A Felton III and Kesi Felton
