Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Couch
Hi Charlotte, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My grandfather gave me his Olympus OM-10 35mm film camera when I was in high school. At the time, I knew I wanted to pursue photography as a career—I grew up capturing my life on various digital cameras, as well as my Nintendo DS (shoutout!)—but I never knew that I would want to focus on film full-time. I then took a video production class in my last year of high school and fell in love with making movies. It was as if all roads were pointing me toward a life full of cameras and art on the screen.
In the next five years, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Production from Santa Fe College and began building my portfolio. I would typically shoot on Sony digital cameras but found myself defaulting to film throughout the years.
In 2023, I lost my full-time job and decided to pursue photography fully—while planning a big move from Gainesville, Florida, to Atlanta. If it weren’t for the network of clients I built in Central and South Florida, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I am forever grateful to them for their support and trust in my work.
After moving to Atlanta in the summer of ’23 and starting a new job, I was, for the first time, able to focus on creative photography and video campaigns. I felt like I was finally where I was meant to be. With this change, I had the time to continue building my art. I began working with local artists, musicians, businesses, and organizations to capture their work through the film camera.
Now, the camera isn’t just a small side gig for me—it is my life, both as a career and a hobby. I love nothing more than capturing the essence of what people are proud of: the beauty in their life through portraits, celebrations, and documenting life itself. I do a little of everything, but in this current season of life, I’m enjoying collaborating with local businesses to give them great content to use for their online presence. Additionally, I enjoy teaching people about film photography and how accessible it can be!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Freelancing in general can be a pretty difficult road to take. Many of my freelancing friends must have several other income streams to continue freelancing. This has been the case for me as well. And, job instability in today’s market has been very tough. As I mentioned, I lost my first job out of college in 2023 and it was devastating. But with the help of my community, I was able to move forward relocating to Atlanta and starting a new job in the creative world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently specialize in film photography! I love to work with younger clients looking for senior portraits, and this is what really threw my photography into high gear in 2023. My sister’s friend had seen the senior portraits I shot for her, and loved my work. She hired me and we had an amazing shoot, capturing all her visions and bringing them to life. The next 6 months, I was hired by many of her friends to do their senior portraits, and it was a huge boost for my business. I then began to take photography more seriously, and started setting big goals for myself.
In my community, I’m really known for my use of nature in art. I’ve always loved being outdoors, loved hiking in the mountains and laying by the beach. I’m a spiritual person, practice Buddhism, and have always felt re-centered being with Mother Nature. When I begin a new project, I’m always finding ways to bring it back outside and utilize the wondrous elements we have access to.
It’s hard to pin point one project I’m most proud of, but I recently collaborated with the blog, Atlanta Coffee Shops and a coffee/gelato fusion shop located in East Cobb, Vanilla Gelato. I captured the beauty of their shop on film, and it was so fun to work with them! Plus, getting to know the family behind the shop, it made me appreciate it even more. I love working in the community!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Just keep working on what you love – what you are drawn to! It’s easy to be influenced by social media, and compare ourselves to others. But I’ve always gone back to what my spirit feels called to, and the work that is most important to me. I also began meditating a year ago, and I believe this has really helped me stay focused on what is important. Mindfulness is key. Use the internet for inspiration but don’t let it pigeonhole you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charlottecouch.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotttecouch/
