Today we’d like to introduce you to Cari Daus.
Cari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got into photography when I was real young in high school with just a throwaway camera! I would buy a new one any chance I could get and take multiple pictures of all my friends all day long. I finally bought a point-and-shoot and did the same! When I was a senior, I had to figure out what I wanted to do for college and as a senior in high school, most kids didn’t know so I decided to major in Fine Arts of Photography. I went to Texas Tech and 5 years later, graduated with a photography degree. Once I graduated, I started working at a kid’s studio in Lubbock and learned then that I really loved kids and figured out how to pose families! I moved to the DFW metroplex in October 2010 and worked at the studio for another year. They had a policy that I couldn’t do my own photography for 2 years and so I quit and worked at an office job where I met my husband. I started gaining more business here with a few clients that are still my clients 10 years later. Once we had our 2nd child, that’s when I decided I could quit my office job and do what I love! That was the best choice for my family! People always ask me how long I’ve been doing photography and I truly do not know the answer. I graduated in 2009 from college, but I would say it’s been way before then with my throw-away cameras.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Who really graduates with a photography degree and has a great job once they graduate? Not me, lol! Photography is a lot like starting your realtor license…. you have to work extremely hard to get those clients and keep them! People who I’ve taken photos of realize that I am so great with children, and they usually refer me to all their friends, but it’s taken years and years of trial and error to get to where I am today. I can definitely say that I’m not at the highest peak yet in my career, but I know God is blessing me with more opportunities/clients each year. One day I will own a studio with my name on the front and I pray that a time will come along to where I don’t have to worry about the financials of the business and just focus on the photography itself. I am a firm believer that God always provides with faith, patience, and perseverance.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in children, seniors, family, and newborns but pretty much I can do it all! My favorite right now is doing boudoirs but what most people know me as is the baby whisperer and I can get almost any kid to smile and laugh. I work hard for those perfect smiles to make every parent excited to see and I work efficiently as well with a lot of variety to choose from. I have never met a stranger and I always try to make the client’s time comfortable and worthwhile.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I would love to mentor some of those beginners and let them know how to make their photos better or how to get started. It’s been trial and error for me and if I knew some of the easy things that I know now, my path would have been a little smoother. You live and learn! I am also always looking for an assistant (besides my husband, lol) that can come with me to my family shoots to help me with smiles, hold the reflector as needed and help keep me on schedule on my busiest days.
Pricing:
- Families begin at $150 for a mini
- Newborns begin at $350
- Boudoirs begin at $375
- Headshots begin at $150
- Seniors begin at $325
Contact Info:
- Email: carideneephotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.carideneephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carideneephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carideneephotography
Image Credits
@carideneephotography
