Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrin Lewis.
Hi Carrin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love of photography starting while picking classes for the 9th grade. School was boring for me, and core classes were hard. Man, I had to REALLY TRY just to skirt by with B’s & C’s. I was pleasantly surprised to see photography as an elective that year. I thought “Easy A?!… I’m in!” Plus the teacher was totally bonkers in all the right ways – wild hair, boisterous personality, curious and completely ALIVE. On her suggestion, I entered one of my images into a contest at Sam Houston State, and received the honorable mention award alongside college students in my category. I was beginning to think that maybe I had something. But, as they say, life is full of twists. The next year, we moved to a small town in East Texas, and it was complete culture shock for this Houston kid. Needless to say, photography was not on the forefront of my mind for quite some time. I can say now, though, whenever I picked up a camera over the years, there’s always been butterflies. Fast forward to my 39th birthday.
I was living in Austin and had taken leave from my job in hotel sales to stay home with our kids who were born 18 months apart. It was the family plan that I would enter back into the workforce once my youngest started preschool, and that, my friend, was just around the corner. I thought, “Now’s my chance to do something ELSE”. If I wanted to be a photographer, it was now or never. So, I did it. I took night classes at UT, studied videos, read books and of course… took A LOT of pictures! It’s amazing what you can get done when you start living with intention. Once I felt good enough to charge clients, I did.
Starting small and going up from there. Eventually, the website came, marketing efforts, an Instagram page, CRM, P&L, LLC… you know- those business abbreviations that make us feel all empowered and accomplished. And it was there, on the business side of things, that I realized my journey to that point wasn’t wasted. These key factors I knew because of my past jobs and endeavors. I laid to rest the shame I felt for not starting sooner, and I haven’t looked back since!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s hard rolling solo. There’s no manager with the answers to your questions or camaraderie in the office to give you the warm fuzzies on a hard day. I had to find mentors in the beginning and build friendships with other photographers over the years. I’m now super blessed to have a core group of buds that I do life with. All in all, when I get upset about work, I remind myself what it was like to have no leniency in my schedule and having to put in a form to HR just to go see the OBGYN, and I think “Eh, maybe I’ll stop complaining now”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Family photography is my main focus. I also enjoy working with small businesses building image arsenals for their branding efforts. Capturing the essence of people intrigues me. For instance, watching a husband’s eye fall lovingly on his wife’s face as their daughter twirls in front of my camera or capturing a client’s fascination of their work during a branding shoot. These are the moments I look for during a session. Life’s magic is in the details. Listen, I was that weird kid lurking in doorways. I would watch my parents with their friends… talking, laughing, smoking their cigarettes. I would take note of how their bodies moved and how they communicated with each other. I guess you could say I’ve always been intrigued on what makes people tick. And I love capturing those details for my clients.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I moved to Austin in ’96 and the city holds a big chunk of my heart. I worked on 6th street, fell in love, made a ton of friends and forgot a lot of nights. Even though I was technically an adult, I ‘grew up’ in Austin. But I think we ran our course. With a new family on board, we moved to Dripping Springs. It’s been a wonderful change for every member in our family. But luckily we’re only 25 minutes away, because sometimes this girl needs a Town Lake run and street tacos!!!
Pricing:
- Family Session: $375
- Maternity Session: $295
- Lifestyle Newborn Session: $395
- Branding Session: $425
Contact Info:
- Email: Carrin@CarrinLewis.com
- Website: www.CarrinLewis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrinlewis_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrinLewisPhotography
Image Credits
Vanessa Cerday.
