PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT STUDENT | CASIE MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
This week I'm excited to introduce you all to Casie from Casie Marie Photography. She is located not too far from where I am, and having her in my Photography Business Success Class has been such a pleasure! One of the important parts for me is to actually get to know everyone who is taking my class. I try to understand where they are in life, why certain things are hard for them, and really understand what path it is that they want to take. I was excited to welcome Casie into the class because she instantly reminded me of myself when I first started my photography journey. Although we haven't met in person (yet!) I feel like I already know so much about her. She'll has already accomplished so much during such a short time, I know she will be doing big things in her photography career!
I am a photographer originally born and raised in Lake County Florida. I went to Leesburg High School and dual enrolled at our local community college to complete my AA degree only one year after graduation. I then moved on to receive my Music Education degree from the University of Central Florida but really knew my true calling was photography. I began my journey when I was a sophomore in high school when my grandparents took me on a 45 day trip across the United States in an RV. We visited all of the major national parks in the Southern US and I was able to really begin shooting landscapes and some portraits then. I really started working with people when I was in my last year at the community college where I took a digital photography class that was offered. I have since then really honed my skills and have come so far with my business and love for what I do!
I am located in Central Florida. I still live in Orlando in the hustle and bustle of life but I love to travel all over, shooting in the forests one day and out on the beach the next!
I specialize in portraits and couples, while taking on a few weddings throughout the year.
I love being able to capture special moments for my portrait sessions, and also seeing the love between two people. When working with my seniors and individual portrait clients I work to really perfect their outfit choices and having them bring things that truly show who they are. When I am working with my engaged couples I love being able to get to know them and how they met, I really believe that it truly helps me tell their story through my images when I really know more about them and their personalities.
I think that my favorite part about the class started with getting to know other photographers (and creatives) that all had the same business issues that I was having. We have all been able to really share the trials and tribulations that we all have as creative business owners. I love being able to read through the business success guide and go through each and every module that was created specifically for us to make our business thrive. I love being able to ask questions, share stories, and get input on REAL issues that are happening every day.
Do it! No, really, I am not kidding. This class is really worth every penny and you will not regret becoming part of this community! As a creative I really felt that nobody understands what kind of things I deal with on a daily basis. This class offers so much help with that and also brings you closer to others that are all going through the same things that you are! I have even made friends and have assisted other photographers in this group away from just being on the web! This class truly helps you to become a community with other photographers instead of competition. It brings you all closer and helps you really bring your business to a truly successful point. The products that you receive from this class are also so beneficial to helping your business as well. I love the planner, it is probably something that was the most helpful thing to me when I first started the class. I also took the Newborn Photography Guide and had it printed so that I would be able to read it whenever I wanted to! The products are really helpful!
I love being able to capture moments. My parents have album upon album from my childhood full of photographs. I want to be able to capture those moments for others as well. I love being able to become friends with my clients and leave a lasting impression on them that they will always remember. I have always loved being able to see an engaged couple looking into each-others eyes and smile, a senior celebrating their graduation with such excitement, and even a little baby celebrating their first birthday when smashing their hands into a cake! It is something that I truly enjoy and wouldn't trade for any other job in the world.
I would have to say that my shooting and editing style had really changed for the better. I really did not understand those things in the past and after a lot of reading, studying, and work I have really become in full control of those things. I was able to receive some lightroom presets through this business success class and those presets are some of the same ones that I use during each and every session when I am sitting at home editing. I shoot with a light and airy style and have really become so much more practiced in my art that I sometimes do not even have to edit some images because they are coming straight out of the camera with a style and look that I am enamored with! I love not feeling that struggle anymore.
My personality. Definitely, 100% my personality. I feel like I am going to toot my own horn for a moment BUT, I really feel that my personality has gotten me so far! I have the ability to tastefully make people laugh during a session, I am able to crack lame jokes. I can make a bride laugh in moments of real stress and can really help to calm her down when she is really upset. I have a very sarcastic tone sometimes but it really can put my clients at ease during their session because I really feel as though they are able to get to know me more on a personal level this way. I really care about each and every one of my clients and I think that with my personality they are able to see that when I am working with them. I make sure each and every one of my clients is truly happy with the work that I have done from their session and personally make sure that they are in love with the images they receive.
I learned that pricing structure really can go a long way. I had to come to terms with the fact that my old pricing structure was really too low for the quality of work that I am producing now and I had to adopt new prices and new package options. I still believe that my prices are at the bottom of the point they should be but I pride my business on being affordable. I was able to sit down with this class and make a new structure that really is perfect for myself and my business.
A better social media handle. I have doubled my Instagram following, gained about 400 new likes on Facebook, and have found that my social media following in general has become so much more beneficial to my business. This class really helped to put all of this social media stuff into a real place for me. I love the social media content builder has really helped me succeed in this area more and more.
Well, I actually won my spot. BUT! Looking back and really thinking about this question, if I was not already in the class I would be dying to take it. I have gained so much experience, read so many helpful tips, and have really made so many creative contacts through this class that I wouldn't trade this seat for anything. It is worth the money and the time that you will put into the class. You will really be able to put your business into a different perspective than you are at now and you will see that after you get through each module something in your daily business life will change. I saw the class when it initially started and really wanted to be part of the club, when I got in I knew that this was going to be something that would help me tremendously and I haven't changed that opinion yet!
HAHA! I feel like through all of the other questions I have answered this question already in a million other ways. But, really, the online group is probably my favorite part of the whole class. The modules are included and everyone is able to get together, ask questions, get questions answered, and really help each other with our businesses. I have made so many friends through this group and really love being able to answer questions from others now that I have become more successful (thanks to this whole class). I feel as though I am so much more confident in my work, my style, and my business as a whole because of this group of creative people!
MORE, MORE, MORE! I want more everything! I would love to take on more clients, more weddings, and work more with other creatives in my area on a closer level! I also would love to get more travel in, but who wouldn't! ;)