Today we’d like to introduce you to Alli Pratt.
Alli, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I bought my first camera as a senior in high school. I wanted to document what I believed could be the best year so far in my life. I wanted to capture all my memories and experiences that this year had to offer. I would convince my sister we needed to go for drives and just take pictures of anything that looked interesting. I developed such a love of capturing sunsets and old abandoned buildings. It was adventure every time. Then I would tell my sister let me do your hair and makeup and take some pictures. I would get her all dolled up and start telling her how to pose and stand and look and capture her natural beauty. After I graduated high school I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do I knew what I liked to do, but thought I couldn’t make a living from it. It was that summer after I graduated that my brother’s best friend needed some pictures taken. He ended up getting nominated as South Dakota’s most eligible bachelor for Cosmopolitan magazine. He needed some headshots to send to the editor in New York City. And somehow I was the girl chosen to take on this project. I am thinking it was because I had a camera and I was his best friend’s sister that I got chosen. When were cruising all over the country side to capture South Dakota life, Casey said to me why don’t you start up your own business you could do this for real and make money at it. I looked at him and said “really you think I am good enough?” And He encouraged me and said “of course you are”
From then on I pursued Photography I knew what I wanted to do I felt like it was right but there were many obstacles to overcome to get there. I was signed up and already going to be starting at a Christian University to Pole vault on a track scholarship. I knew the university didn’t have a photography program but I felt it to be too late I already committed. So I did the dorm life and going to classes that were of little interest to me. I felt horrible the amount of money it was costing and I wasn’t even doing what I felt called to do. So I left the university after a semester I knew in my heart it wasn’t right. I toured a tech school that offered a photography business degree and fell in love! This is exactly what I wanted to do! I was so excited and then another turn of events came into play I was offered by my hometown university a full ride to go pole vault with them. I couldn’t believe the choice I had to make do I go to my dream school or look ungrateful for an opportunity only some dream of. I was getting calls from my old night school coach about don’t make the wrong decision my dad was putting pressure on I felt so conflicted. The people pleaser in me was at full capacity. So I made a choice I decided to pole vault for one semester on a full ride to finish off the year. I ended up making it to nationals, I was actually ranked top 5 going into the meet that was in California. I jumped my last jump in California closing a chapter to many years of dedication and hard work. To my surprise a rainbow emerged that day from the sky. And I felt complete peace an out my decision.
I started that next fall at the tech school that I so longed to be at. I couldn’t believe it I was following my dream to become a professional photographer. I was working part time as I was going to school at a makeup counter. I fell in love with makeup and working with people. I loved people of all ages and a lot of woman that came in were more mature woman and somehow I just connected me being only 20 years old at the time that may be surprising. I learned about customer service and believing in what you are selling. I found myself to be quite good at it and able to connect to people quickly. School was so much fun I woke up everyday excited to learn the craft of photography and being allowed to play in a studio. I made some lifelong friends and I would have them be models for me. I would do their hair+makeup and dress them fashionably I loved every bit of it. People started noticing my work and wanting to hire me for senior pictures. I was thrilled to get paid while doing the very thing I loved. I started up my business officially while attending school and started bringing in income from my passion. Before I knew it I was shooting weddings and seniors consistently. I paid of my first professional camera and felt so proud of the direction I was going. It all started from an encouraging word from Casey the very first person that believed in me. At this time I failed to mention that Casey and were dating and he was helping me achieve my dreams. After living in South Dakota all of our lives a job opportunity arose for Casey down in Texas. He said he wouldn’t go without me and I thought about it being 21 at the time why not. So we packed up and moved down to Texas together. I left a lot behind family the business but I had no clue how much I was to gain moving to Texas. My confidence in photography started to diminish the longer I went without picking up my camera the more insecure I felt. I never had to advertise for business it always came to me and now in a big city not knowing a soul it didn’t work that way. I looked for part time jobs and took a couple things that just didn’t compare to the feelings I would get in photography. We found a church and I volunteered photography services in water baptisms and events to keep up on my passion. People started noticing me with a camera and before I knew it I was starting to get business. Family pictures is what people wanted so that is what I started to photograph. It was very uncomfortable for me to go from one on one headshots to taking pictures of a mom a dad and little kids running all over the place. I felt drained after every session and started to fall out of love with taking pictures. Until one day I was watching a YouTube and a commercial came on between videos. That commercial changed my life the lady describing her passion and why she does what she does started a fire in me. She was speaking directly to what has been inside me but didn’t know how to come out. She specialized in woman portraits. She described the value she had in her work and how to teach others to value product and prints instead of giving a jump drive with digitals. Slowly my mindset started to change I didn’t want to be known as the cheap photographer I wanted to be known as a photographer who goes up and beyond to make her clients feel and look absolutely beautiful. My mission is to show woman of all ages how beautiful they truly are and how God sees them. I am proud to say I am a luxury photographer I offer full service photo sessions and sell beautiful wall portraits that will be passed down from generation to generation.
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?
I struggled with receiving money and seeing value in what I did. I struggled in seeing value in myself.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Apodo Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Apodo Photography was started with the heart to give back. I don’t take people’s pictures I Give them an opportunity to see themselves the way God sees them. He calls them chosen one. More precious than rubies. Everyone has a story to share my heart is to be a listening ear to hurts and triumphs. I believe there is power in bringing hard things to the light for I know in my life some of the secrets and dark things from my past tormented me and kept me bound in shame and guilt. It wasn’t until someone listened and believed me that I began to find freedom. Knowing Jesus not only as my savior but a friend I gave Him my shame and guilt and He gave me Joy and peace. I am proud that through my Photography Business I have been taught to persevere when things get tough and to surrender my worries and anxiety to Him. I believe that every single woman that streps into my studio will feel assured that God loves them and that my job is to shower the extravagant love and service that, just as Jesus did washing his disciple’s feet. I work for Him first above all else.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to have a bigger space for my studio. Right now I am working out of a space in my home. I love having people come into my home and to be able to serve them. My dream would to have a bigger space, I am not sure what that looks like as of right now but I trust God will lead the way when it’s time.
Contact Info:
- Website: Apodophotography.wixsite.com/apodophotography
- Phone: 6052161994
- Email: apodophotography@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ApodoPhotography/
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.
