Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Mize.
Grace, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been running around with a camera in my hand, whether it was a toy, a point & shoot, or a DSLR. Something about capturing images has always been fascinating to me, you are not only preserving memories but you are in a way, documenting history. The way we dress, the way we act, the things we do. Because of this, I have tried to bring a more documentarian approach to the way I shoot.
I am 21 years old & have been a photographer for last 7 years. I started my business doing seniors & families to now doing weddings & commercial photography for Michaels & The Container Store. I am super grateful for the opportunities & chances people have given me despite my age & because of those jobs, I have grown so much as a photographer since working with & being assistant for people who have been shooting for 25+ years. I continue to learn new things every day & the cool thing is, I watch these professionals learn something new every day as well, so it’s humbling to know no one knows all there is to know about photography.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. I did give up photography for about a year in the middle of those 7 years. I was dealing with clinical depression & I had worked myself to death taking photos, I just couldn’t find the same joy in it anymore because for years I only had been taking photos for other people. It was no longer a creative outlet for me & I was just burnt out. Although I couldn’t help myself to still cart my camera around sometimes & casually take photos. when I didn’t, the photographer in me would be kicking myself the whole time. But I am glad in even in those moments where I thought maybe I would just be the person who takes photos of their family & their food & their travels, but I wouldn’t really do it professionally anymore.
The beautiful thing about taking a break, especially being burnt out, is you are able to come back with a fresh perspective & you might remember why you loved that thing in the first place. After that year, something in me just felt like this is what I was meant to do & but needed to take the opportunity being offered to me to get back in the game. Now I am a full-time freelancer & photography is one of the most important things to me again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a film & digital photographer in the DFW area. I specialize in weddings & portraits & have been most known for my seniors.
I am so proud of my work in the recent year, I have learned so much & I think my work reflects that. My work is more refined, unique, with a warm earthy feel that I have tried to bring with the intent of capturing memories. I don’t really want stiff, posed photos. I love doing in house sessions with couples & families because they are so much more intimate & comfortable, as well as less stress on most people. I want to just capture your energy & the energy of your loved ones in your most natural habitat. if you want to take your kids to the park, let’s let them run around! I will be chasing them with my camera. I think the most authentic photos that you can really feel are the candid ones, the ones you may not even be aware I took! I think that is what really sets me apart is the desire to photograph the real you. to get to the true spirit of my subject.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Pivoting is okay! Sometimes better for your business even! but also, especially in these darker times globally we have all gone through in the past two years, it’s important to remember nothing is permanent. The situation will change eventually & sometimes you just have to hold on until things get better, & I think we have to one be grateful for where we are now. I often think when I go to the store how crazy it is that we don’t have to wear masks anymore, or that artists are having stadium tours again. And we never thought covid would end when we were in the worst of it, people constantly were talking about how this was the new reality. I think after you adjust its easy to forget how far we have come, but it’s important for me to remember so I can be grateful & appreciate for the place we are in now.
Pricing:
- Mini Sessions $250 approx. 25 min 25 photos
- Seniors $400 50 photos 1 hour $700 100 photos 2 hours $200 cap & gown 20 minutes 10 photos
- Families $400 50 photos 1 hour $800 100 photos 2 hours
- Weddings packages start at $3500 – $6000 25+ guests
- Elopements & intimate start at $3000 (reach out for specific pricing)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shotsbygrace.work
- Instagram: instagram.com/shotsbygrace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotsbygrace
