Today we’d like to introduce you to Collins Climpson.
Collins, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved photography and my dad was also into photography so growing up he had every kind of camera you can imagine. I’ve always loved taking photos but never considered starting a photography business until after my first son was born. I had previously worked in marketing for a large company and just after I had my first child, the company did a resturcture and lay off. I had already been taking photos of my baby so I started by taking photos of my friends’ families and it just grew from there. Along the way, I’ve taken a lot of courses, learned a lot about photography, what makes a great image, how to use light, etc. I’ve come a long way from where I was when I started and I just want to continue to stretch myself as an artist and grow. In 2019, I started experimenting with shooting film again, and I realized that’s where my passion is. There is something special and magical about film and it requires precision, vision, and patience. With film, you have a finite amount of frames you can take and it forces you to slow down, watch what is unfolding in front of you and be ready to capture the moment at precisely the right time. Along with families, I’ve also started capturing landscapes and I love snapping a few pics of surfers when I’m at the beach. In-Home Lifestyle sessions are also a favorite of mine.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it has been a challenging one in the best possible way. I started from scratch and learned how to not only take a photo but also how to edit. Prior to diving into photography as a business I had no idea how much editing went into the aesthetic of a photo. I’ve poured my heart and soul into honing my style, finding my editing groove, and learning how to pose and work with my clients to get beautiful, effortless looking images. It hasn’t been easy and I’ve wanted to give up, but I have kept on the path and looking back at where I started to where I am now, I’m so glad I’ve stayed the course. Shooting film really changed everything for me and helped me find my process. Mentorships with other film photographers and investing in in-person workshops has also been critical to my success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a family photographer. I chose family photography specifically because after having kids, I realized how important it is to routinely document family life through each age and stage. The old adage is true, time really does fly by! I found my love for family photography through photographing my own family and friends’ families. The moment I really decided to make this a business was in 2017 after my son was born. I hired a photographer to take our newborn photos and they ended up double booking themselves, didn’t show up, and I never heard from them again. I found myself with a newborn, wanting to document this special moment with no photographer. I pulled out my own camera and shot our newborn photos myself. It was in that moment I never wanted another mother to have the feeling I had, that my family wasn’t important. It is my passion to work with families with small children. I love toddlers and young kids! They have so much energy and look at life with such amazement and wonder. I love capturing this feeling through my lens and being able to stop time for clients. I also love the challenge of shooting a family with a reluctant Dad who doesn’t like photos, or teenagers who have other places they’d rather be. The best part of my job is hearing a Dad or teenager tell me they weren’t looking forward to photos but they had so much fun at the session they would be happy to do photos with me again. It means I’ve done my job well. I specialize in shooting families on film and I also specialize in making it fun! Family photos should not be stressful. It’s an opportunity for the family to freeze time, and create beautiful, fun memories of the age and stage they are currently in. I specialize in capturing the messy, everyday wonder that life brings. I want to document families in a unique way that captures joy and also create pieces of art that are timeless and can be hung on the walls of their homes forever.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My clients matter most to me. Family photos are priceless. I want my clients to have the best experience when they work with me. I want them to know they can trust me. Trust is so important to me, especially after the experience I had with my own newborn photoshoot. I want to provide my clients with everything they need to know, I want them to feel heard and seen, and I want them to enjoy their time with me at the session. Finally, with every session I provide my clients with a print credit, so they can print their images and hang them on their walls. We live in a digital age where photos live on phones and hard drives. Your memories should be on your walls to be enjoyed every day. I shoot with film and I love prints. What can I say? I’m an analog girl living in a digital world.
Pricing:
- My pricing is simple. I have a standard session fee to book the session. Once the session is complete my clients can choose between three collections, starting at $600. Every collection includes digital files and a print credit.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.capturedbycollins.com
- Instagram: @capturedbycollins
Image Credits:
The first image I uploaded of myself on the bench was taken by Sarah Yates of Sarah Yates Photography and edited by me. The rest of the family images were taken by me.
