Today we’d like to introduce you to Caity Colvard-Slutz.
Hi Caity, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I always knew I wanted to spend my life doing something that wasn’t the same day after day. My goal wasn’t to spend my adulthood doing something I hated to meet other people’s expectations. Photography is my life. It’s been the constant companion, the relationship I’ve grown and cultivated for two decades, it’s part of me.
I started in high school as one of those AV Geeks who had a camera on them at all times. I ended up on yearbook and newspaper committees as a photographer and editor until I graduated from college. Then I worked for the Dallas Observer and as a freelancer for many DFW publications until I moved to Austin.
It was in Austin I discovered how much I loved photographing people and events. It’s so much fun being able to be in the middle of the action while people have the time of their lives. It’s why I love working in the events industry. I get an opportunity to collaborate with energetic, passionate, and fun professionals and clients, creating and documenting some amazing days.
Then I get to create an unforgettable client experience where, in the end, they get something that’s truly and uniquely them. They get to hang this day on the wall, share it with their friends and have images to reignite those awesome memories for life.
You wish your job was as cool as mine.
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?
OMG Where do I begin? It’s been a tough journey for me. There were days where I had a negative balance in my account and an email box full of people wanting to work with me for exposure. There was a point in time where I had two jobs and two internships to help gain experience and get my name out. These were times where I was not making the best decisions and going against all of my best instincts.
The worst was when the owner of the company I had poured all of myself into for five years…. filed for bankruptcy and decided to close the company. He pulled the plug on 119 clients and left me and a handful of others to deal with most of the aftermath. It led me to believe I had to step back from the industry I loved, hold my head down, and “Pay my dues”.
It took me a long time to realize how horribly I was treated during that time, how my creativity and my work was being held back in favor of someone else. How tethered I was to others and to their expectations…. and how I was constantly ignoring my own.
It did light a fire to build something of my own, though.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I built CCPhotoFactory with the idea of helping dynamic individuals preserve the best times of their lives by providing a communicative and collaborative experience that results in bright, bubbly, unique and energetic images!
My wedding, portrait, and boudoir images are so beautiful because of the people in them. People in love and feeling joy are the most beautiful. It’s what drives me to be a photographer. Working with me, you’ll find a passionate, ambitious, humorous photographer who has a special superpower to make you feel AMAZING during your session.
Any big plans?
I’m currently working to expand the portrait aspect of my business.
My brand has been all about creating this awesome experience for my clients so they can have one-of-a-kind images they’ll treasure for life. I have had a blast with these fantastic clients….. but I want to expand this circle a bit, serve some new clients, and give this same great, tailor-made experience for mommies as I have for brides!
I’m also starting to phase out my digitals-only portrait packages. I get so tired of seeing people ONLY share digital photos of their kiddos. I get it, it’s super easy, right there in your pocket or on Facebook and you can look at it and show off your cuties.
But what happens when you drop your phone in a puddle….or your iCloud gets corrupted….or your hard drive crashes and that teeny tiny Facebook file is the ONLY copy of that photo you have?
People NEED to print their photos! They need to have this awesome collection of printed and framed work all over their home. You built this amazing family and this awesome home. SHOW IT OFF with some fantastic artwork!
Pricing:
- Wedding coverage starts at $1695
- Portrait Packages start at $250
- Boudoir Sessions start at $450
- All Portrait Sessions require a $185 Creation Fee
Contact Info:
- Email: caity@ccphotofactory.com
- Website: https://www.ccphotofactory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccphotofactory_atx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCPhotoFactoryATX
Image Credits:
Caity Colvard or Caity Colvard-Slutz or CCPhotoFactory
