Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Swanson.
Cindy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been interested in photography really, but especially after my mom bought me my first film camera before a trip overseas. I went on to get a marketing degree though and years later, over lunch with my college roommate, she asked why I wasn’t doing photography as my career? I had been searching for what I was “supposed to be doing” and that felt like a sign that I should look into. I dove into educating myself online and traveled to learn with photographers whose work I admired. I remember being nervous to make that first large investment of camera and computer equipment. In fact, a funny story is that I went to “visit” my camera with cash in hand several times before actually pulling the trigger on that purchase!
After photographing a variety of things for a couple of years, I realized my passion was in photographing high school seniors. I started thinking “why divide my energy into so many directions when my passion is seniors? …why not just get become an expert on that?” So I did! I’ve been photography solely high school seniors for about 6 years now. For some reason, I feel called to this age group of kids.
We built a studio onto our home and this is where I do my all-day-every-day…. (Except for shooting, that’s all on location.) It is also where the clients come to view and order their portraits. I also offer education to other newer photographers, both online Skype mentoring and in person. Most photographers are creative minded and don’t really love the business side of things. I actually love both. I’m connected to a large group of senior photographers, both in the DFW area and nationally and we get together and share ideas on how to streamline the back end of our business or how to change with the social media trends, etc. It’s awesome to connect that way.
I began offering destination senior sessions. It’s a win/win because I get the opportunity to shoot something different, and the clients get to have a special mom/daughter memory of their trip together to a beautiful location. My favorites have been Malibu, CA and Wyoming.
I’ve been a speaker on a national platform at the Professional Photographer’s Association convention (Imaging USA), and have had my work published in magazines. If 10 years ago, someone would have told me this would all be happening, I wouldn’t have believed it! But I’m still so smitten with it, I love it, love to continue to evolve, and learn new things, photograph in new ways, in new areas. I think that’s how you know you are doing what you were meant to do—when you still love it so much you are continually learning even in your free time.
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?
There have been little bumps along the way, but that’s where you learn, right? I had an assistant not do right by me, but I learned that you can’t control what others do, but you can control your reactions to it, and I decided to just focus on evolving myself and bettering my craft, which I did! Also one of the best things I’ve learned along the way is to treat this like the legitimate business that it is. To have policies and procedures in place and stick to them, respectfully. Maybe another obstacle is being a one-woman-show. I do have editors and people who help package sometimes, but there’s a lot of work that goes into running this business. The driving to shoots, that time away from family, downloading, culling, editing, ordering, in person ordering appointments with clients, packaging orders, social media management, answering inquiries etc. I need a clone of me, lol.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cindy Swanson Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My photography business specializes in photographing high school seniors, guys and girls. But with girls, we are going to dig deep and find out what their hopes are for the final look of their images. Are they looking for an editorial shoot, an urban shoot, fields, etc. I’ll consult with them to help choose their styling and accessories for the shoot. It’s a whole experience! I think people come to me knowing that I am going to direct and pose them in the most flattering way for them, but yet not look posed, and we are going to have a great time making some great images! And, people mention the light in my photography often…I’m very picky about the natural light and the direction of light, and have been known to chase it, lol.
Something I’m proud of is that people tell me it shows how much I care about what I’m doing, that I want the shoot to be custom to what they want, and want them to feel relaxed and have fun and just pull out that inner confidence. One of my favorite things is when I can tell that maybe there is a tad of self-doubt, and just see that change over the course of the 2 hours I shoot with them is just awesome!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
For me, I don’t know if I’d call it luck, I feel like it was following God’s direction for my life, prayerfully putting one foot in front of the other. I definitely don’t take it for granted and feel very blessed to be where I am in my career. It’s a wonderful thing to find your passion and be able to bless others with it!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.cindyswansonphotography.com/blog/
- Phone: 469-855-5716
- Email: cindyswansonphoto@att.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cswansonphoto/
Image Credit:
All images are copyright Cindy Swanson Photography
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