Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbie Clinton.
Abbie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always love getting this question because it always makes me reflect on where I started to where I am now! Very early on, I thought I wanted to be a wedding planner for high-end clients. Living in Los Angeles, I was always attending or seeing lavish events from dinner parties to weddings to Grandpa’s 80th Birthday. When I went to college, I knew it was important to get experience, so I decided to get an internship in different parts of the industry.
One summer I worked for a wedding planner, the next, I worked for a venue, then a florist, and so on. My summer going into junior year, I applied to be a personal assistant intern to a very high-end wedding photographer in Los Angeles. I was so excited about learning the business, as well as the creative art of photography. I was your typical intern: picked up coffee in the morning, his dry cleaning at lunch, booked his travel, and even cleaned his camera gear. I think he underestimated me because it came to the point where I had nothing to do because I finished everything so fast.
This was the perfect opportunity because he started to let me design albums for his clients and edit photoshoots that he didn’t have time for. It was awesome and that’s where I found my passion for photography. That summer, I picked up my family camera and started playing around with it. In no time at all, my friends were begging me to take their headshots, I had thousands of Instagram followers, and Abbie Mae Photography was created in 2014. It’s been a bumpy road full of hazards, roadblocks, and U-turns, but it’s also been full of wide open roads, hair blowing with the window down, and driving into the sunset. I’m so excited to see where my business goes from here.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As I said in the answer above, absolutely not. There has been so many trials and errors on this journey, but that’s what has made it so amazing. Since I don’t do photography full time, there is a lot of time management that has to go into it. I have a full-time sales job, which requires me to work 60+ hours a week. I have to set aside time to make sure I’m answering emails from leads, getting to know my current clients, as well as keeping this business afloat. I am definitely still learning, but I am very pleased with the success that has come so far.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Abbie Mae Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Abbie Mae Photography is a true southern hospitality photography business. I specialize in weddings in the DFW and San Antonio areas in Texas. I’m a one-woman show and that’s how I hope to keep my business for years to come. I always want to be the one person that my clients get to know and become best friends with by the time their wedding is over.
I think that’s what sets me apart as well. I am a best friend to no stranger, that’s for sure. Each one of my past clients and I have formed relationships like no other and it’s the most special thing. Knowing that they have put so much trust in me to capture the biggest day of their life is so heartwarming. I customize the experience for each and every one of my couples.
I think one of the best things that I can offer my clients as well is that I have a full event planning background to add to photography. This definitely helps when it comes to working with vendors professionally, creating a correct timeline that coincides with all of the other vendors, and making sure the bride, groom, and everyone else has a wonderful, seamless experience.
This company as a whole has been such a milestone in my life. I started it when I was twenty years old and seeing how far it has come makes my heart so happy. Photography is such a passion in my life and I can’t wait to keep capturing special days for the rest of other people’s lives.
How do you, personally, define success? What’s your criteria, the markers you’re looking out for, etc?
Personally, I don’t think success can be measured by anyone but yourself. You are your own goal maker and hold yourself to a standard that no one else ever will know how to. I set goals for myself and my business each year and try to exceed them. But at the end of the day, if my clients have a smile on their face, I feel like I’ve succeeded.”
Pricing:
- Packages starts at $2200 for a basic package
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abbiemaephoto.com
- Phone: 310-961-0801
- Email: abbiemaephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbiemaephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbiemaephotography/
- Other: http://abbiemaephoto.com/blog
Image Credit:
Taylor Walker Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
