Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Demura.
Hi Caitlin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I always had a disposable camera in my hand. I would run around in my backyard taking pictures of my pets, zoos, and any traveling vacations. I just loved to capture memories. Obviously, when digitals were becoming a hot commodity, I went crazy with just snapping any subject. I had thousands and thousands of photos of my pets, friends, plants, etc.
When I was in middle school, my family had a farm breeding Great Danes and Miniature Horses. When I used to take photos to advertise our baby animals to sell, I strived to get very creative with my shots and angles compared to everyone out in the local area doing photos too. When it was time to go to college, I thought of pursuing photography classes, but I didn’t think I would do well. After a friend ended their life, I decided I didn’t want to live a life of regrets and jumped into my life-long dream and passion of photographing my favorite creatures and the people that love them.
In the summer of 2015, I decided to purchase my first ‘starter’ camera to see if this was really what I wanted to invest in. I just fell in love with it more and more. I would take photos of the horses at the barns I worked at, going to Medieval Times to learn my camera could do with the constant light switching and fast action. Also, I would go to horse shows to build my name and clients. I upgraded my camera and lens, bought more equipment, and attended some classes and workshops. That’s when I realized I knew a lot more than I had thought for being self-taught. I decided in December of 2016, I was ready to be a professional photographer. I would attend every horse show that I could on the weekends, studying different disciplines in the horse world to capture the best timing shots. I would do model calls to practice portrait work and started getting more clients for those special moments with the owner and horse. I was only doing this as part-time while still working and managing different horse facilities.
I wanted to go full-time in 2020, but I had a gut feeling that something was going to happen. COVID put a damper on a lot of things and it affected my business badly even for being part-time. I figured that this wasn’t something I could do full-time because I would have been struggling. Things got better over time, as they always do, and in May 2022 I decided to put down all my extra jobs and pursue this full-time. I wish I did this sooner, but not having a guaranteed paycheck at the end of the week held me back quite a lot. Now I am traveling all over Texas, and sometimes other states for horse shows doing what I love…capturing your memories that you will cherish as much as I love cherishing those photos I capture.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Without challenges or obstacles in life, a person won’t grow who they are meant to be nor achieve their overall goals. We are our own worst critics when it comes to our work. A lot of my roadblocks are getting stuck in the mindset that I am not good enough. I would get emails and phone calls from clients crying because of how beautiful their pictures were and how I captured their soul in their horse’s eye. That inspiration is what drives me to push myself more and more, as well as trying new things within my business, being creative, and aiming to set myself apart from everyone around me. You know the phrase… “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Equine photography. I photograph just about every discipline, multiple breeds, you name it. I don’t want to be labeled under one thing in the horse world. I got into the business by photographing dressage horses and shows. Then developed photographing horse shows in the gaited horse world, saddle seat, extreme cowboy races, and western open shows. I love coming across parts of the horse world and seeing how magnificent these creatures are and what joys they bring to us.
I have an artistic eye, which makes me want to step out of the box for my photography. I have done various styles and edits and even used the horses as canvases for creating artwork. I can go from photographing certain angles, gaits, and poses of one breed earlier in the day, and then switch to a whole different timing later in the day. Not many photographers can capture it all. I study a lot within the breed characteristics. For example, when it comes to poses for sale horses, I make them look their best for the target buyer. They might not have the conformation, but I make the horse show who they are and make their personality pop into the picture. I photograph them as an individual and not a cookie-cutter shapes.
Some of my proud moments, are to see my work published in magazines and in photo contests. I still think I am dreaming, but when I see my work shared on social media, I know I made the right choice in life. What sets me apart is something I am currently working on, which is growing that fire in me to stand out even more and excelling at my craft. I love capturing the foal people have. Are they super independent, playful, shy, or athletic? Every horse is different like how we are to your family or friends.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I have always been a workhorse. I refuse to give myself a day off. If I am not doing anything, I try to find clients, or do a model call so I have constant content out on social media sites, or even contemplating new projects to offer.
I also love to help other photographers around the area with behind-the-scenes stuff like getting the horse’s attention or helping second shoot a horse show if there are multiple arenas. It is great to network because you can’t do everything all the time. I continue to learn a lot from others and get many great new ideas.
I am determined to show my work because every picture has a story. Everyone should get the chance to be photographed with their animals, similar to taking pictures with your children as they grow. The goal is to learn to put your phone down and enjoy what is around you and let someone else do the job.
Pricing:
- Sale Horse / Foals start at $125
- Fine Art style sessions start at $250
- Equine Sessions start at $175
- Equestrian Sessions start at $400
- Most packages are customable to the client
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caitlindemuraphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlindemura/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caitlindemuraphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsr8s-rIvi5t-1zlSUUu3dQ
- Other: https://www.caitlindemuraphotoproofs.com/
Image Credits
Jessica Lian Photography
Caitlin Demura Photography
