Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Butcher.
Kelsey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my photography journey in my senior year of high school! I was trying to get an A on my senior project, so I chose something in the creative realm since I’m super right-brained! Never did I realize that I’d love it so much and never look back!
After several years of just doing it inconsistently as a hobby, in between getting married and starting a family, I realized that I loved it and it could potentially be my career! So, I decided to go full-time a couple of years ago, and it’s been the best decision ever! Although entrepreneurship is really hard most days, the freedom, flexibility, and creative expression make every bit of it worth that and so much more! Photography found me, and it’s carried me through so much, including college, being a newlywed, and pregnancy then post-partum!
Having a strong faith, the hard work of learning my craft, as well as my amazing clients have brought me where I am today. My number one mission as someone’s photographer is to serve each of them well and with kindness, going above and beyond to tell their stories in an honest, documentary way, so that they may feel deeply loved by the time they leave their session (or end of their day) with me!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all! People see the fun on social media, but they don’t get to really see as much of the moments, when I’m laying in the floor crying at 2 am, the late nights where my eyeballs refuse to see accurate colors, the breakdowns when I’m feeling overwhelmed, as well as the times when I’m scream-crying when I book a client after a dead season and happy-dancing when a client sends me an overjoyed message about how much they love their gallery! It’s an emotional roller coaster and I fail daily, but I LOVE what I do, so it’s worth it to me to keep going, to keep serving others in the best way, I know how!
Honestly, it’s a daily grind, a daily struggle, a daily balance! There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect work/home life balance’, but I think it’s more about prioritizing, organizing, and really setting realistic expectations and goals for ourselves! Work hard, but set boundaries and goals for yourself and invest in yourself and those you love. Don’t give into fear or doubt about what you’re doing if you know that you love what you do. Know your worth and value, and make your clients know it, too! It’s not going to be all mountain top moments. There are going to be deep valleys where the most important learning experiences will take place, ones that will grow and shape you, so be present on the mountaintops and in the valleys equally.
But more than anything, treat and serve your people WELL, with integrity, honesty, and genuine love. Every client may not be your ideal client, but that’s okay because people remember your kindness and your joy to serve them before anything else.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I’m a traveling portrait and elopement photographer based in Atlanta! I specialize in editorial and documentary portraits, as well as destination elopements; these things have my whole heart! I feel like I’m known for my clean, modern, vibrant images of women and couples! I always love filling each of my clients’ sessions/day to the brim with authentic emotions, while getting creative with depth and light!
I think that things I’m most proud of as a brand that sets me apart are: Firstly, I don’t use presets; I hand-edit every image I take, and I’m really proud of that! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a LOT of work, but I love that each gallery is consistently my style, given a whole bunch of love and attention! Secondly, I feel like one thing I always give to my clients is the real me. We all have our “customer service” mode, don’t get me wrong, but it’s really important for me to be the same, authentic self that I am across social media. It’s such a little thing, but it goes a LONG way, I’ve found!
People just want to know that you’re A) the same person you portray yourself to be on social media in real life and B) that you’re generally a kind person capable of making them feel special! And lastly, I’m really proud to have been published and featured by some really incredible blogs, magazines, and other social media accounts! Most of all, though, I’m proud to have been given this opportunity to be people’s mirrors, to help all of my clients to see themselves more fully and beautifully than they did before they stepped in front of my lens!
Which women have inspired you in your life?
A famous woman that has always inspired me is Kelly Clarkson! From the moment I saw her on American Idol, when I was a kid, I’ve always admired her authenticity, as well as her character! She is so down to earth, and she is literally a QUEEN and powerhouse! I love that she so openly and candidly talks about being a mother and a wife, all while maintaining an incredible, generation-spanning career without losing the essence of what makes Kelly who she is!
Women in my life who have always inspired me is my mother and my best friends, Liz and Megan. Each one of them are different, with different personalities, styles, and ways of life that all represent who I am as a woman today! My mom inspired me with her work ethic and her home-making abilities that have made so many feel loved throughout her life, especially me!
Liz inspires me with her faith, her intentionality in our friendship, and her constance in my life! She is so in touch with her inner child, more than most, and it drives her creativity and her passion to love others well! She always is there, ready to listen and to give comfort/support, and we’ve been there for one another in some pretty sticky or difficult situations!
Megan inspires me with her compassion, her work ethic and drive, as well as the fact that she gives 110% right back to me in our friendship! Her ability to help others see things from other, unexpected perspectives is such a gift that she has, and she constantly gives me solid advice when I’m in crisis mode! Also, she will always cry with me, which I appreciate so much because believe me, I know it’s a vulnerable thing!
Contact Info:
- Website: kelseybutcherphoto.com/
- Email: kelseybutcherphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseybutcherphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelseybutcherphoto/
Image Credit:
Susy Reyes
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