Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Mitchell.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is very similar to a lot of female photographers these days. 15 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom and got a nice camera for my 30th birthday. I used it to take pictures of my kids doing everyday things and to make photo albums. I started posting some on Facebook and one of my High School friends who is a professional photographer asked me if I had ever thought about pursuing photography. Well, I hadn’t. I had actually studied political science in college but had always been into artsy things even winning second place in the Dallas Quilt Show so I decided to give photography a try. Except I had no real training. I didn’t even know how to really work my camera. So, I started taking beginner-level photography classes at Collin County Community College. That was it, I was hooked.
After learning the basics, I asked my own professional photographer, who is now my friend and mentor, what I needed to do to become a real professional photographer. It was on her suggestion that I joined the Professional Photographers of America and began attending their classes and conventions. In 2016 I earned the designation of Certified Professional Photographer and now in my 12th year in business am working on my Master’s Degree and own my own studio space in historic downtown Sherman, Texas and love it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being able to stay at home with my kids when they were little was a blessing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but I needed to be challenged mentally. And boy does owning your own business while learning a new craft do that! Add in the normal mom duties and some days I was spinning plates but it felt like the plates were spinning me. In order to make ends meet, I had taken a part-time job as the communications director at my church. That job actually helped me get to the point where I could move my photography to a full-time career, purchase a space and open my own retail studio in downtown Sherman.
Being a small business owner is always challenging, but I’ve always been able to view obstacles as opportunities for growth. Covid obviously impacted everyone in our industry and like everyone else, I had to shut my doors. But I spent that time doing work on the business side of things and preparing for reopening. It was a great giant pause that allowed me to focus on getting all of my business systems in line and setting goals for myself and my business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a portrait photographer who specializes in newborns, children, high school seniors, families, and professionals. I have a retail studio space in historic downtown Sherman that I renovated in 2018. What sets me apart from others is that all of my portrait clients, with the exception of Professional Headshot Sessions, leave with heirloom quality printed products that will last generations. When clients come to their ordering appointment, I have printed proofs as well as a digital slide show of all the edited files for them to view. I am known for helping my clients every step of the way in the portrait process. From wardrobe planning to helping choose the best images and finally, how to display them in their homes. I can easily upload a picture of a client’s wall and then show them what a new portrait will look like next to their existing artwork, show different sizes of an image or create a new gallery wall.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of my mentors Julia Kelleher (Jewel Images), Anne Marie Shumate (Lasting Images Photography), and my friends Machell Oviedo and Melissa Vaughan who constantly push me and keep me in check lol. And I really can’t forget Laurie Vanderveer (Laurie Vanderveer Heirloom Portraits) who got me started down this path.
Pricing:
- The Portrait $95 – This session is a full in-studio session for one to four people. Additional fees may apply for more than four family members and locations.
- The Newborn $195 – This session is a full, in-studio session for your newborn baby. Siblings and parents are welcome to join in on the fun and memories of this session.
- The Professional $195 – This session is an in-studio session and includes 3 fully edited digital images for your professional use.
- The Graduate $95-$395 Senior sessions are as individual as your Senior with three levels of customized sessions specifically designed for High School Senior.
Contact Info:
- Email: courtney@courtneymitchellphotography.com
- Website: www.courtneymitchellphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/courtneymitchellphoto
