Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerri Meigs.
Hi Kerri, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to Austin in 2007 newly divorced as a single mom needing to establish a career (asap). I’ve always been into photography shooting film of my kids and friends for years. I signed up for a 2 year portraiture degree program at ACC, mainly to learn the digital camera world. Since social media was fairly new I was able to share my work using my new Austin friends as models. Once I started shooting families it was all friends of friend’s word of mouth, I got busier every year.
In 2014 a friend wanted to do a spoof maternity shoot for his wife since she wouldn’t agree to photo her own 8 month belly. It was all a joke of him dong the traditional maternity poses but popping his belly out wearing superman briefs. A few days later he posted his pics online and within hours they were picked up by nearly every media outlet in the country. His ‘manternity’ pics landed us on Good Morning America within days. The following week we were on Good Morning Japan and I was giving permission for the images to be used around the world, it was quite a frenzy. While the story hit Austin’s media, a friend suggested it was a good time to get studio space to expand the biz. Leasing studio space was the best move I’ve made. I’ve had it now for 11 years and love getting creative and giving clients the studio experience.
Currently I’ve honed in on headshots and graduates, basically focusing on portraiture for adults. 9/10 people I shoot will tell me they are un-photogenic, I love proving them wrong. I feel so blessed to have made my career doing what I absolutely love, I can’t image doing anything else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning I had a full time job at a law firm but would shoot nights and weekends. I said yes to every job even if I had zero idea how to photograph newborns or weddings. I learned more with every session and was eventually busy enough to shoot full time and take only the jobs that inspired me. It took a few years to turn my passion into full time income.
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 feel like I get to photograph the best of Austin, I’m so proud of the beautiful clients I’m lucky enough to capture. Most of my clients are now friends, within our sessions we get to know each other and have fun in the process. When clients schedule sessions I always tell them we’re going to have fun. They don’t know what to make of that until they show up and we laugh and play the whole session. The best compliment is when they leave stating they had so much fun (like I told them they would).
I hear I make shoots easy which I know they aren’t expecting. It’s a very vulnerable position to be in front of the camera giving all your expressions (real or forced). We have to determine the side and smile they will love the most, creating all the tricks to pull them out. I love bringing out their true beauty and seeing their confidence grow. I can’t help but notice a skip in their step after sessions and especially after delivering the final images. Their true ease will radiate in the final product (which makes my job easy).
How do you define success?
Success for me is being proud of making a positive impact with others. I’m still growing and learning from every client and excited to use my creativity to bring out their best. I love the connection we make while having a unique experience. I’m proud that I have made a living off of fulfilling my dream. Success is when work is playtime and I’m fortunate everyday is a new fun adventure.
Pricing:
- Studio Headshots are $150 for the first edited digital, $95 each additional.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kerrimeigsphoto.com
- Instagram: kerrimeigsphotography
- Facebook: Kerri Meigs Photography
Image Credits
Greg Fulks- My headshot photo
