Today we’d like to introduce you to April Bagley.
Hi April, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started taking photos at around the age of five, I have had a camera in my hand since the moment my parents gave me my first digital one. This has always been a passion of mine and to finally see it falling into place is the best feeling. I would say, around the age of 15 I started to book my first few clients. I was shooting with a Canon Rebel T6i and a 50MM 1.2 lens. This is the least expensive lens I could afford at the time and my sweet now husband, actually bought me the camera as a Christmas gift. I am self-taught, I learned everything I know from YouTube honestly. A few names that come to mind, and most of who I still watch to this day, Jessica Whitaker, Jessica Kobeissi, Irene Rudnyk & Peter McKinnon. They really taught me most of what I know, the camera basics, how to shoot, location, lighting, equipment, editing, Lightroom tutorials, social media management. I couldn’t be more thankful for all of them and the many things I have learned from watching all their videos. I became more serious and started booking steady clients around 2021, this year I have really taken off and now have a steady amount of clients every single month. I just started to offer wedding services as well, I have shadowed a few and have now booked a handful for this year and I am so excited to see where this journey takes me. Aside from being a photographer, I am first a mama of two little girls, some days it can be hard to manage being a photographer as well as a mama, wife and a Christian. But I always seem to find a way, because this is something I have wanted for years. I’ve been wishing to have the amount of clients I have now, and it just keeps building. I’m so grateful for every single person who has helped me along the way, and all the effort I put into this career. All the free sessions I started with that really helped me learn. I have now photographed people that I did when I was 17/18 and it’s so amazing to see the progress I have made. I still have a ways to go, and there is always room for improvement, I’m learning new things every single day. I am always watching tutorials, TikToks, reels, anything to help me continue to grow, but I’m very proud of where I am now.
I absolutely love taking photos. I love to capture the fun, silly, sweet moments in people’s lives, I love to have a photo delivered and those people adore it, they hang it up in their house and when others go over they ask who took that? My art, displayed in many houses around this town makes me the most grateful and happiest photographer I could 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?
It has definitely not been the smoothest road, when I decided to start taking this more seriously and really go after my dreams I actually got pregnant with my first baby girl, who is now two. I did have to take a pause and really focus on becoming a mother, being pregnant and learning to love this new body all took some adjusting. I started to book up again and then became pregnant with baby number two just six months later, my girls are only 13 months apart. I did continue to shoot while pregnant with my second one, after I had her and recovered from surgery I was able to really focus back on my career and be a mom at the same time. My daughters definitely make the best models and have also helped me grow as a photographer in so many ways, I use to be very unsure at sessions with little ones, how to handle them, how to talk, etc. but as a mom, it just comes naturally to me now and I adore taking family, baby sessions. I can really connect with the children as well as the parents and share stories of all the things parenthood has taught me. I’m very grateful I have these two little girls pushing me forward, and I can’t wait for them to grow up and always remember seeing mommy chase her dreams, even when it was hectic, in the crazy, she did it and that’s what I want them to see.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in portraits, my style is moody but natural. I offer a lot of different styles of photography, but one in particular that sets me apart is boudoir. Most people only shoot boudoir or only shoot family/lifestyle but I like to offer both. Boudoir photography is an amazing photography style to get into, it truly helps you feel so connected with your body. A lot of mamas do boudoir sessions and as a mom, I can 100% relate. It helps you feel sexy, and appreciate this body that has been a home for your little ones. It’s a great way to remind yourself that you are beautiful, and can still be sexy no matter how many curves, stretch marks or mommy pouches you may have.
I am most proud of my styled sessions. I offer styled sessions occasionally, I will reach out to someone specific I have in mind or I will do a model call, these sessions are such a great creative way for me to explore! They are my favorite sessions because they are always out of the ordinary and not something I would typically be doing, I also usually don’t have a time limit on these sessions so it really gives me the time to focus and get the shot I had visioned before. I typically make mood boards for these sessions, I pick out the outfits, make-up, hair, location and timing. It’s great to allow myself to be as creative as I want.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
As I said before, definitely the YouTubers I watched who helped me learn this craft and how to make it into a business.
I would also have to thank my husband for his endless support, he bought me my first DSLR camera and has been by my side as my personal hype man for years now.
My parents for always supporting me, buying me cameras over the years when I was little, letting me record them and take their pictures a million times over and still to this day always supporting me and telling me how great I am doing.
Mostly I would have to thank the Lord, he has really blessed me and without him in my life, none of this would be possible at all.
Contact Info:
- Email: Aprilbagley0902@gmail.com
- Website: https://aprilbagleyphotographypro.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: @april.bagley.photography
- Facebook: @aprilbagleyphotography
