Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry McCranie.
Terry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had a camera in my hand in some form since high school. I always enjoyed taking pictures of the things and people around me. I never really thought of it as more than a hobby for a long time. It was something that was fun to do, but the idea of building that enjoyment into a business was far from my mind. After close to twenty years of working in IT, I was ready for a change in careers. It was at that time that I said to myself that I need to find something that I have a deep burning passion for and make that my career for the rest of my life. After much reflecting, I realized that I could build a photography business around my passion for photographing people. So in 2017, I started my company, Terry McCranie Photography. I knew from the very beginning that photographing people was what I wanted to do. Specifically business professionals and companies needing to showcase their employees.
So I started studying under Peter Hurley in the art of headshot photography. I was hooked from the first moment I started photographing in that style. After about a year and a half of studying with Peter I presented my portfolio to him for review. After three submissions my portfolio was approved and I was made one of his Associate Photographers. Of which there were only 115 photographers in the world at the time that had been able to achieve that status. My love of headshot photography stems from liking to strip away all the distractions and really focus on the person. Showing their personality through just capturing their face. Fast forward several years and now I have been named the 2020 Best Photographer as voted in Dallas Voice Reader’s Voice Awards. I have worked with multiple international businesses to take their headshots including LinkedIn. With a focus on headshot and lifestyle portraits for professionals I have been able to help people create image portfolios that help them to showcase who they are and how they can help the people they serve.
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?
In my wide-eyed optimism, I had this grand vision of being an international superstar photographer in a very short period of time. That is far from what has actually happened though. There are most certainly been some ups and downs on the road to building a business that stands out and offers a fun and professional experience for people. There are more that just a few photographers in the world, so building a brand that is recognizable and establishes trust with those that I aim to serve take time. I’m not looking for instant gratification, I am looking to build a business that is known for helping people to love who they are, and actually enjoy being in front of a camera. After several years of being in business, I can say that things have gotten better the longer that I keep pushing for it, but it is work, and in order for any business to get to where it aspires to be, you have to put in the leg work day after day. Most importantly, just keep showing up, keep producing quality product, and help people love who they are because that is what it is really all about for me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Terry McCranie Photography – what should we know?
From day one of opening my business, I have been specialized in headshot photography. I love photographing people, and that interaction between them and myself is where I draw a great deal of my energy from. I have found that most people don’t like the way they look, and they avoid having their photo taken at all costs. I started this business because I love taking portraits, but what I have found is that I end up being more of a therapist for people during a session. Helping them to love their face and body. Working with them to help ease their concerns and fear of having a picture taken of them. I genuinely believe that everyone in this world is beautiful. No two people are exactly alike, little tiny quirks and subtle expressions make us all so amazingly different. Helping people to embrace that difference and uniqueness is what I am all about. I don’t want any forced or fake smiles in the photos that I create for you. I want you to see you in your portraits the way that I see you when I talk with you, authentic, natural, and your fabulous self. When you show people the images that I have created for you, I don’t want them to say, “That is a great photo of you.” I want them to say, “Oh wow! This is you! Your spirit is shining out in this image.” I may be the photographer capturing the images of you, but the session is all about you and what you need. Which is why I never take more than two clients in any given day. So that I can give you all the time you need to create the images that will make you truly love seeing yourself in photos.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Genuine kindness and gratitude. The world can be a pretty mean place at times. I aim to spread happiness to everyone I meet, and I certainly can’t do what I am doing without people trusting me to take care of them. Being 100% authentic in how I interact with people is what I feel sets me apart from others in my field. I don’t look at any job as a financial transaction. I look at it as how am I solving the problem that this person has using the skills that I possess.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TerryMcCranie.com
- Phone: 972-877-9546
- Email: Studio@TerryMcCranie.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/terrymccraniephoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/terrymccraniephoto
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/terry-mccranie
Image Credit:
Terry McCranie
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