Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Gantt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Carrie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
If you had asked me 10 years ago, “Where will you be in 10 years,” I doubt I would have answered that I would be spending my time photographing newborn babies. At the time, I was a newlywed, an IT Program Manager for a fortune 100 company, and a world traveler (always with camera in tow). I loved taking photographs and documenting our lives, but really just thought of myself as a hobbyist. I was one of those rare people who could say they truly enjoyed their job and I found fulfillment in my IT profession.
In the years that followed, I quickly became distracted by countless trips to the fertility clinic (an amazing story for another time, perhaps) and ultimately, the birth of my firstborn. The hospital photographer came around to take his pictures and my husband (who had seen something in me that I had not seen in myself) said, “You can totally take his pictures yourself.” On his next trip to the hospital from home, he brought my camera, which ironically he had bought for me years ago. So began my very first newborn photos. And let’s be honest, looking back, they aren’t very good. But it definitely stirred something in me.
Seventeen months later I was pregnant with baby #2. This time, I really wanted to take a decent picture of my newborn baby. I upgraded my camera, my lenses, flew out west to attend a newborn photography workshop and studied, studied, studied. I found that I loved the juxtaposition of technology and creativity that photography offers. I started taking a few clients (at a nominal fee) and really started to grow. By the time my sweet little redhead was born at 35 weeks, I was ready to take his photos. Mostly.
After nearly a year of maternity leave (awesome, right!?), I went back to my corporate job while taking on a very limited number of photography clients on the weekends. I found my heart pulling me more and more towards photography. Over the next couple of years, I mentored with two of the world’s most renowned newborn photographers, made equipment upgrades, built out a 1500 sf in-home studio, and quit my corporate job.
As my babies grew, so did my clients. I have loved expanding my offerings to match the needs of my growing clients. I am now a full-time photographer and could not be happier with the decisions I have made every step of the way.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with all entrepreneurs, the road was not always clear or smooth. As I woman, it was already hard to balance a successful corporate career and family. And here I was trying to add a small business owner to the mix. But I persevered.
As a photographer, I think the challenges have been finding my worth and discovering my style. I wanted to find a price point that was family-friendly and allows clients to come back month after month or year after year but did not give potential clients the perception that I was not one of the best in the business. I still struggle with this.
As for style, sometimes “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” After mentoring with one of the worlds’ finest, I found myself emulating some of their artistic expression. But, after mentoring with more than one, I developed a bit of a hybrid that is all my own. I continue to evolve as an artist in this area.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Carrie Gantt Photography – what should we know?
I am a boutique baby, child, and family photographer, specializing in newborns. I would say I am best known for my customer service. I love people and I have some of the best clients in the world. I don’t know what it is. Perhaps it is because, so far, my clients have been 100% word of mouth. It started with a couple of my sweet friends, who told their sweet friends, who told their sweet friends, and so on. But I am truly blessed with amazing people coming through my studio. I often take on the role of lactation consultant, advisor, advocate, or simply, new friend. Often, the trip to my studio can be their first outing after the new baby and I am happy to be a sounding board to their concerns and joys they have experienced over the past week.
Prior to the session, I aim to inform my parents on what to expect during their time with me, as well as incorporate any goals they may have. I love to hear what their vision is for what becomes some of the most important photos they will ever take. During the session, my goal is to create an environment where parents feel like they are right at home and that their baby/child is safe and secure. Sometimes, during my newborn sessions, my sleep-deprived parents will take a little nap. This always makes my heart smile. They know I’ve got this and that they will end up with beautiful, timeless photos of their brand-new bundle.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Surprisingly enough, my career as an IT professional has proven to be invaluable to my career as a photographer: From understanding the technology behind my camera to the complex software I use for editing, to developing repeatable processes that I can then implement at each and every session. But probably more important than my IT background is my job as a mother. Being a mother has not only taught me how to hold, snuggle, communicate, giggle, sing, and laugh with babies and children, but how to be a compassionate peer to the parents.
I know what it is like to only sleep for two hours at a time, to not get your baby to latch properly, for your milk to not come in well enough, what terrible 2s (and 3s and 4s) is really like, that separation anxiety and stranger danger is real and requires time and patience to overcome, and that an active child needs creative outlets and if nothing else, grace. Often, I will have parents come in and be nervous because their child hasn’t napped well or is having a bad day.
I think I am adept at calming mom and dad down and reassuring them while also encouraging and adapting to their babies/child’s needs. It is so rewarding to hear parents tell me how happy they are that they were able to receive so many wonderful shots.
Contact Info:
- Website: carrieganttphotography.com
- Phone: 4044148573
- Email: info@carrieganttphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrie_gantt_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrieganttphotography/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Image Credit:
Jeff Roffman Photography
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