Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Genes.
Hi Crystal, 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?
I’ve been interested in photography since I was in grade school, studied film photography in college, and photographed my first wedding shortly after graduating college. I sort of jumped in head first after that and never looked back. It took about 6 years to get off the ground and get to a point that I could go full time, and at that point I packed up and moved across the country to a brand new market (from NC to OR), and somehow things just clicked here and I was able to stay full time from the start of the move. This is my 21st year in business. I focus on weddings as well as all kinds of portraits – families, kids, etc.
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?
I think one of the biggest struggles is how this is a very seasonal based profession – especially here in the PNW. I usually start getting shoots on the books starting in March or April, stay pretty steady through about September, and then October, November and December are always on fire with fall and holiday family photos. But mid-December things completely die for 3/4 months. It’s always a little scary, like… is anyone ever going to book again? And then somehow eventually the calendar fills up again year after year and it’s fun wondering what kind of fun shoots and new wedding locations will come next and then looking back at all of it after the year. It’s also a job that is more of a luxury product for people, so I definitely feel economy shifts in how people book and spend money. It can definitely be a struggle not having a consistent predictable income. But somehow I had one of my best years during the pandemic, when other photographer friends were really struggling, and I think it’s down to my resourcefulness and flexibility in those more difficult times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in fun and colorful wedding and portrait photography. I’m known for very colorful and vibrant images full of lots of laughter and fun. I’m really proud that I’ve built a business that is able to support me and provide me with a great lifestyle. I think my vibrant and colorful images is one thing that sets me apart from others. A lot of photographers, especially wedding photographers, focus on a more traditional, or romantic style… or follow whatever is currently trending, etc. I’ve always been pretty consistent in my focus on laughter and color.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I think my favorite childhood memories all center around being in nature, particularly time spent in the NC marsh waters, lounging on sandbars, camping on random islands in the sound, and flounder gigging at night watching all the marine life swimming around when the lights are on under the water.
Pricing:
- Wedding Packages start at $3200
- Mini-Sessions start at $175
- First-Time Family Photo Client Special – $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crystalgenes.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/crystalgenesphotography & www.instagram.com/crystalgenesportraits
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalgenesphotography
