Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Spurlock.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Liza. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a tiny town named Salado, so small we still to this day do not have a stop light! I come from an agricultural background having rodeoed and was strongly into 4-H and FFA throughout school. After high school I went to Sam Houston State University where I barrel raced on SHSU Collegiate rodeo team and took classes to later earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications. Throughout college I had this idea that I wanted to be a broadcast journalist within the rodeo sports industry. Well, I graduated in 2017 and for some reason nothing seemed to want to come together like I wanted it too. I later moved back home and went to work for my dad at his feed and supply store in Salado where I ran his social media marketing and product purchasing.
While I was there, I felt so stuck. I was striving for something more. More beneficial, exciting, more me. After about a year of working in the family business I randomly had this thought about doing photography. I realized that it was something that I had always liked to do, but I always enjoyed getting western style images of my horses or the livestock or trying to see what creative shots I could get on my cell phone while out working cows. It was then, that I realized I wanted to try to do something with photography. My brother had a very beginner Canon Rebel ti camera that I knew he never used so I asked if I could “borrow” it. So, I just started posting on Facebook looking for people within my community to model for me for free, I took photos of friends, family and anyone who was willing! After a few months I began to charge a small session fee to accommodate for some of my time. I watch YouTube videos about working my camera, followed other photographers that I loved on social media, learned how to pose people and just worked my tail off to learn more, improve my craft and better my experience for clients. I started this journey in October 2018 and it wasn’t until well into 2019 that I had a break through session with one of my now best girls Danielle Reinhart and her husband. I had reached out of social looking for a western couple to photograph. Danielle reached out to me and we scheduled our session! That session was a breakthrough for me because I realized that I loved photographing couples and it opened new doors for me in editing, skill level and also having her as a friend.
We’ve continued to work together, collaborate and learn from each other while building each other up and putting each other’s name out there into the western fashion world. After that I began photographing more and more couples, scheduling bridal sessions and working my way into the wedding industry. In late 2019, I was lucky enough to meet up with another amazing photographer and now one of my best friends/mentor, Samantha Davis of Samantha Kaye Photography. She was looking for a reliable second shooter to tag along to most of her upcoming weddings. We hit it off and I began to follow her lead in helping her at her own weddings. This is when the door for weddings opened for me! I began to learn from her while building my wedding portfolio. A few months later, going into 2020 I had booked a handful of my own weddings for the upcoming year and I was hopeful! I’ve now booked more weddings for my first year than I ever could’ve imagined and I am so grateful. I have worked my tail off to learn and set myself apart from others in my industry and the work doesn’t stop. I strive to give my clients an unforgettable experience and capture those moments of their life that they never want to forget. I am so thankful for the people that I have met in this journey so far, the things I’ve learned from fellow photographers and the clients, turned friends, that have trusted in me to capture such special moments of their life! I look forward to what is to come and I am hopeful.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think anyone never comes across any bumps in the road, but it’s more of how you handle it. I’ve been very lucky in the connections that I’ve made and the support that I’ve had. I’ve worked extremely hard to get where I am, which I’m not settling. I know there are higher mountains I can reach, but in those moments of hopeless-ness and wanting to give up you have to remember why you started, why you’ve keep going, and why you’re where you are in that moment.
Please tell us about your business.
I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I specialize in western weddings and portraits of all kinds! Couples, seniors, fashion content are my jam but I photograph just about anything! I pride myself in being able to offer professional, high-quality, well put together images for a price that most anyone could afford. Photography is expensive, no doubt, specifically wedding photography, but I love being able to work with potential clients based off of their needs and budget. I think the experience I am able to give, the friendships I like to make with “clients” and my style of photography and editing sets me apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I am not from Dallas, but I’ve been plenty of times. I love the hustle and bustle of the city without it being too much. I love the different aspects of life you get in Dallas: western and urban mix well together in my opinion!
Pricing:
- Weddings/Elopements start at $1500
- Branding/social media content start at $100 per hour
- Portrait sessions start at $300
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lizaspurlockphotography.com
- Phone: 254-718-2010
- Email: liza.spurlock@ymail.com
Image Credit:
My headshot was taken by Alyssa Simmons Photography and edited by myself, Liza Spurlock Photography. All other photos are copyright to me, Liza Spurlock Photography
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