Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Clark.
Hi Savannah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Savannah Allee, I am 28 years old from Austin, Texas born and raised! I graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Communication Studies and minored in Social Work. I’ve always loved photography. I remember my mom showing me all of my grandfather’s old equipment and it was then that I fell in love with the process of film and the idea of capturing a moment in time. When I got into high school, I took photography classes and spent a lot of time in the darkroom developing film. I also had the opportunity to be on the yearbook team which really opened my eyes to the digital process of editing and creation through digital art! However, while I loved photography, I loved playing basketball even more and a lot of people, including myself, thought that I would have a future in that sport but I experienced so many injuries that I ultimately had to retire the dream before it really even started. It took a lot for me to get back on my feet mentally. After graduating from college, I got a job in my field working at a healthcare company. It only took me three months to figure out that an office job was most definitely not for me! It was then that I decided to take my passion for photography and attempt to make it a career! I quit that job with no other options lined up and very little knowledge as to how to create a career as a photographer. I just knew that I wanted to do this, I felt like this was the path that I needed to be on. Now, four years later with a lot of hard work and love, I am full-time photographer creating art and capturing precious memories and I have never looked back!
When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me taking care of my crazy dog, Nova or beating my boyfriend in video games, haha! I also love bowling and hanging out with my family. You may also find me just mindlessly scrolling through TikTok because that’s an actual thing these days. Also, random fun fact, I love Disney movies. But hey, I grew up in the 90s so can you really blame me?? I live a pretty laid-back life but no matter how laid back it may be, I always try to be present in every moment. We all know that life is short and I’ve made it my goal to exist fully in every moment given to me. I think that may be why I enjoy being a photographer so much because every session or event is a special moment in its own way; being able to capture that moment and make it last a lifetime is something very special to me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road but it hasn’t been so bumpy that I wasn’t able to get through it and succeed. I would say my biggest struggle was knowing my worth. I was struggling to understand that I was a good photographer and I deserved to be compensated as so. I’m a big believer in helping anyway that I can and when I first became a photographer, I realized that a lot of people didn’t take pictures not because they didn’t want to but because they couldn’t afford to. I wanted to be someone that gave those people that opportunity which led me to sacrifice a lot at the beginning of my career and hurt me a little in the long run. I still want to be that person but I am learning to operate now in a way that benefits both me and my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My style is definitely more lifestyle/candid. In my opinion, the best pictures are the ones that capture the emotion of the moment and what better way to do that than being playful and loving with the people you care about!? I specialize in weddings, family and newborn but also take portraits and dabble landscape as well.
I am currently getting my certification in birth photography and I’m truly excited for that journey. It is no secret that there is a crisis in the healthcare system for black women and as a black woman myself, I wanted to make sure that my career did something that helped to make a difference. So not only will I be capturing these beautiful moments of bringing new life into the world; I will also be contributing to the change regarding healthcare for maternal black women.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would say I got lucky landing the amazing mentor that I did. Jenni Greer she’s a newborn and family photographer based in South Austin, Texas. I originally reached out to her for nannying job because I was doing that part-time when I first started my photography career. It just so happened that she was a photographer too! So while I was being a nanny to her amazing daughter, I was also assisting and taking advice from her when it came to photography. We ended up becoming good friends and even though I am now well on my way, I still talk with her and ask her questions often. I truly can not thank her enough for the support that she has shown me. I am almost positive I would have struggled 10x worse in this career if it wasn’t for her guidance. So Jenni, if you see this from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
When it comes to networking, Facebook and word of mouth have also been my saving grace. I’d say it’s important to be available on all the social media platforms the world has to offer these days. I know that can be intimidating but that’s the cost of owning your own business. You are your own biggest promoter; get out of your personal comfort zone and give your business a chance to exist in as many avenues as possible. People will see you and if they see you working hard, they’re going to talk, and talk leads to potential business.
Pricing:
- Family Session – $425
- Newborn – $300
- Couples – $275
- Birth – Starting at $1150
- Elopements – Starting at $750
Contact Info:
- Email: alleephotography15@gmail.com
- Website: www.alleephotography.rocks
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/allee.photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Alleephotography15
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@itsjustmeallee
Image Credits:
Picture 1: Serenity Bell with son Josiah Picture 2: Ashley Lazarre Picture 4: Annie Dieng and husband, Faye Dieng Picture 5: Xatayia Jackson and boyfriend Bryson Williams Picture 6: Cetiera Carmona Picture 10: My dog Nova
