Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Sandefur.
Krystal, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, photography was NEVER a passion of mine or even on my radar. I went to college and graduated with a BA in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Arlington. I married my high school sweetheart in 2007 and we started our family after I had started teaching and coaching at Cleburne High School in 2009.
So where did a photography come in? I started out just buying a camera when we were pregnant with our first son in 2009. We wanted to be able to take decent pictures of our little guy when he finally got here. For about two years I just shot like any other typical mom tog, just capturing life as it unraveled. Then, we had our second little guy and I started experimenting with the editing side of photography. I fell victim to “over-editing” and that whole selective color fad. I’d like to forget that season in my life. Hahaha. But naturally, when you have a nice camera, friends will start asking if you would take pictures of their family. I happily obliged.
So, after I shot a few times, I discovered people really liked my work (or was it my free service?) So, I started charging pennies for my work just to get experience. I was pretty much shooting everything, mostly families, but would take anything that came across my plate. I remember shooting my first newborn session and absolutely hating every moment of it. I had no clue what I was doing and swore I would never do newborns again. And I didn’t for about two years.
I don’t remember why, but somehow newborns peeked my interest again and I gave it another go. I wasn’t absolutely terrible this time. I’m assuming because I was more comfortable with my camera. I remember watching YouTube videos over and over to try and learn everything I could without investing much financially. I got some cheap lighting and some horrid props and outfits. But at that time, I didn’t have my own style. I was simply mimicking whatever I could find and not even considering ever being good enough to have my own style.
It wasn’t until I started to realize that I actually enjoyed these babies and could really make a living doing it. I still had so much to learn at this point. I was completely self-taught and learning as I went. I had no clue of newborn safety and really the dangers that can be present when photography brand new babies.
During this time, I was pregnant with my third, a baby girl, and spoke with my husband about investing in a mentorship where I could really gain some knowledge and insight in my craft. He was and still is extremely supportive of my dreams, so long as being a mom is still my priority. So, two months after my daughter was born in 2014, I found myself in the studio of THE Amy McDaniel, owner of Dewdrops Photography. She absolutely changed my life and my business. There is not another teacher/mentor like her. She is literally the best in our industry and more than that, she’s an incredible person. So genuine. My work took a complete 180, and I felt so much more confident. I was still a work in progress for sure, but now I had the knowledge and just had to practice it.
After that, the rest is pretty much history. The more I shot, the better I got. My clientele went from about 7 newborns in one year to almost 60 the next. God moved mountains in my business. I know I improved and developed myself but none of it and I do mean none of it would have ever happened had God not had his hand in it. He’s the reason, not me and I really want people to know that.
I’m proud to say that today, I know my skill is there (still always room for improvement) but I have a great clientele and deliver classic images with my own style.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not, and I don’t think it will ever be a smooth road. In our industry, we are working with people. Living, breathing, opinionated people in a world where everyone that owns a DSLR is a professional.
I have lots of struggles but I try to always remind myself that God is in control of my life and that includes the success or demise of my business.
The #1 struggle is always fear. Fear of not being able to perform to my potential. I have off sessions. Sometimes, I’m just not on the ball that day. Sometimes babies don’t cooperate. You can’t force a baby to do anything it doesn’t want to. They will let you know in a hot second. Back then I may have just settled and taken a picture of however the baby wanted to lay. That’s not me today. I’d rather give you five quality images over 40 crap images.
I fear that I’ll upset a client because they are unhappy or that I charge too much and scare away clients. And I know that I do. I know I’m not in everyone’s price range and I totally get that. But in the same breath, I’m worth what I charge. This isn’t a hobby, it’s a passion and the way I help my household financially. Most people don’t realize that the furs you lay their babies on cost over $200, or knitted wrap and hat set I just put on them was $140 and I only used it for two shots. That doesn’t even dip into the investment that I make for my clients.
So that I can give them top quality images that will forever be beautiful on their walls.
I am constantly struggling with fear of the future. I’ll look at my books and won’t have babies for two months, but again, I remind myself quickly, “Krystal, what are you so anxious for? The Lord is present and is going to take care of you. Has he not taken care of your business so far? Trust Him!” Then I snap back to reality and just say, “ok God, I’m trusting you to bring me the clients I’m supposed to have. I know you’ll provide exactly what I need.” It always seems like he brings me lots of families in the fall when my newborns tend to slow down.
Please tell us about Krystal Sandefur Photography.
I am owner and photographer of Krystal Sandefur Photography. I’m located just south of Fort Worth right off I35 and HWY67 in Alvarado, Texas. I operate M-F out of my home studio, but am trying to convince my husband of building an outdoor studio here at our farm for me.
I’ve just outgrown my space and have high hopes for a separate larger studio.
I photograph newborns and their first year and families so my clients have the opportunity to stay with me throughout those years. I shoot the occasional wedding, and I’ve done my fair share but take a VERY limited number because I’m a mom to four and I don’t work want to work weekends. That time is for my family.
I’m known most for newborns and my editorial style family sessions. My newborn style is unique to our area. I am most drawn to neutrals and simple baby shots. I don’t like shooting themed or super “proppy” sessions. They are adorable but juts not my style. You’re not going to see me stick your baby in a caterpillar costume. Maybe before when I was still developing my business. But I want to capture images that are going to look good on your wall for a lifetime and not resemble a fad that was going at the time. After all, the session is about the baby not the prop. I want to remember those chubby cheeks, or pudgy little fingers laying on my chest. The innocence of when a baby plops their arms over their head and is passed out in a milk coma. THAT’S why I’m about.
As far as family sessions, I’m not going to stick you in a million poses and have you look at the camera and smile. Here in the south that is SO hard to break. I want our session to be interactive where I can capture true emotion between family members. I often find myself saying, “don’t look at the camera!” I shoot solely at sunset so I get those beautiful golden tones.
I’m most proud as a company that 97% of my clients are word of mouth. It tells me I must be doing something right.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Invested in better equipment and mentored right from the get-go. It would have saved me a good three years of trying to learn on my own and a large chunk of money.
Contact Info:
- Address: Alvarado, Texas
- Website: www.krystalsandefurphotography.om
- Phone: 8172408329
- Email: info@krystalsandefurphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalsandefurphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Krystal-Sandefur-Photography-563505280348950/
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