Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlee Gentry.
Hi Carlee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Looking back, I should have known I was going to love photography. From the time I got my first digital camera I loved taking pictures of people and setting up different “photoshoots.” I think I never thought about becoming a photographer because I didn’t realize people would pay for someone to take their picture. I started seriously getting into photography when I was a freshman in high school. I took a photography class for an art credit at school and learned a little bit about lighting. I took my sister’s senior pictures along with a couple of her friends and posted them to Facebook. At that time, I was not paid and still did not realize that was something people got paid for. One of my friend’s older sister saw the photos I had been taking and reached out to me about photographing her wedding when I was a junior in high school. I was shocked! I had just turned 16, the wedding was about an hour away, and at the time I didn’t even own my own camera – I borrowed my sister’s. I studied everything about wedding photography that I could leading up to her wedding and had only ever been to a handful of weddings myself. I was really nervous and asked another one of my friends from school who was also in my photography class to come along with me. At the end of the wedding the bride handed me $100 and I was over the moon. At 16, that was a lot of money, especially for doing something I loved so much. That’s when I decided to make a Facebook page called “Carlee Mae Photography.” I began posting all the images I was taking and suddenly my calendar was filling up with paid photo sessions! It’s crazy when I look back and see where I started and although I would do a lot of things differently now, I am still really proud of those images I captured during my first wedding when I was 16!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been completely a smooth road. The biggest struggle is that I have moved 3 times since I started my business. Building relationships with new clients and finding new clients each time is a struggle!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in wedding photography! I think was sets me apart from others is that I have very recently been a bride and know what my brides are going through! Even more so, I was a COVID bride and got married in May of 2020. There were a lot of changes and things and I know that brides need someone reliable and someone who is in their corner. Another thing that sets me apart is that I have a pretty consistent style which is light and airy. My hope is that people will get exactly what they expect when they book with me!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I am currently a full-time teacher and would love to be a full-time photographer within the next few years.
Pricing:
- 2022 Weddings – $3,300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carleemaephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carleemae/
