Inspiring Conversations with Chris Holt of Chris Holt Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Holt.

Hi Chris, 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 path here wasn’t exactly a straight line. I started my career in corporate finance, and after a few years I hit a fork in the road: keep climbing the corporate ladder, or build something of my own that lets me be more present for my family and kids. I chose the second option.

Along with my wife, we started small. Photographing weddings and engagements around LA and Santa Barbara on the weekends while still working my day job. After about two years, the photography side had grown into something real, so I made the jump into full-time entrepreneurship over the next seven years.

Then COVID hit, and like a lot of wedding and portrait photographers, my business was shut down overnight. I had to figure out how to pivot fast to keep things going. After experimenting with other businesses, I realized my passion was always in photography and that’s when I shifted into corporate and professional headshots. I reached out to past clients and rebuilt my website to target the Inland Empire directly. I started focusing on the kind of work businesses actually need year-round: professional headshots and brand photography for executive teams for companies like legal firms, industrial and manufacturing companies and professional services companies.

Today, most of my clients find me through online search, networking, and word of mouth. What I love about working with professionals is that it’s bigger than just taking a good photo. I take pride in being able to help elevate both companies’ and individuals’ profiles, giving them the kind of professional image that builds trust before anyone even walks through the door.

I’ve received so many stories of people sharing how they were promoted or got a new job based on their new headshots. I can’t take credit for the work they put in to get there, but I’m glad to hear we’ve had a small part in their success.

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?
Definitely not a smooth road, and I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs. The biggest gut-punch was COVID wiping out my wedding and portrait business almost overnight. I had built up real momentum over 7+ years, and then suddenly that entire market disappeared. I had to make a fast decision: sit back and wait it out, or completely rethink what I was offering.

Pivoting into corporate and professional headshots meant starting over in a lot of ways. I had a portfolio built around weddings, not offices or boardrooms, so I had to prove myself to a completely different audience: executive teams, real estate companies, legal firms, and professional services companies who wanted polish and consistency, not romance and candid moments. That meant rebuilding my site, rethinking my pricing, and reaching back out to past clients to let them know how I could help their business update their site, online profiles and perception in the community and with their clients.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Chris Holt Photography specializes in corporate headshots and brand photography for businesses primarily in the Inland Empire, as well as the Orange County, and LA areas. My clients span law firms, medical clinics, real estate agencies, grocery store companies, and professional services teams. Basically, if a business needs its people to look polished, credible, and camera-ready, that’s my lane. For example, I love working with clients like Cardenas Markets, which not only provides some of the best food and grocery options, but also gives back to the community in a regular, noticeable way. Their executive team are some of the best people and is paving the way to give their community the best experience in their stores and connect with local businesses.

My team and I make the professional headshot process painless. Someone once told me getting your headshot done is like getting your teeth cleaned: everyone knows they need to do it, but nobody’s excited about it. I’ve taken that to heart and have built my process around making the experience as easy and comfortable as possible. By understanding how each person wants to convey in their photos, actively working with each person on their best angles, their preferred profile during their session and making sure they walk away with headshots they’re actually excited to use. Whether it’s a dozen attorneys at a law firm, a medical team, or a real estate office that needs consistent headshots for every agent, I’ve streamlined the process so it doesn’t disrupt anyone’s workday.

My team is experienced enough to know the technical aspects of photography enough to dial things in automatically while chatting, coaching, and directing people to make sure their posing, expression, and comfortability come across in their photos.

I think what sets me apart is the background I bring to it. Before this, I spent 10+ years in corporate finance, so I approach every shoot like a project: organized, on time, and delivered exactly as promised. Clients notice that. They’re not just hiring a photographer, they’re hiring someone who treats their brand image with the same seriousness and pride they do.

I’m also proud that I’ve built this business around an area that’s genuinely underserved. A lot of great photographers cluster around LA and Orange County, but the Inland Empire has been overlooked, even though it’s full of growing companies across law, healthcare, real estate, and retail that need this exact kind of service. My goal is to be the go-to name in this market.

If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s that a great headshot or brand photo isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s often the first impression a client, patient, partner, or potential hire has of you or your company, and it’s worth getting right.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Definitely not a one-person journey. My family has been the biggest factor, honestly. My wife and my kids are the reason I made the leap into entrepreneurship in the first place, and their support through the ups and downs, especially during the COVID pivot, kept me going when it would’ve been easier to fold.

My grandmother was an entrepreneur herself and overcame many adversities from immigrating to the United States from Japan to start a new life. She supported me, gave me perspective and ultimately gave me the drive to go after what I believed in.

On the business side, I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors along the way. Most of them may not have realized they were my mentors, but here are a few people that have helped me along. Seth Godin is my go-to person for all things marketing. He’s considered one of the godfathers of marketing. My college professor, Joanne Byrne pushed me to “find the fire in my belly” and that has stuck with me for all these years. The endless photographers who have taught me how to light, pose, direct and coach my clients have given me the tools to provide the experience I strive to provide to all of my clients.

I’m grateful for all of my mentors so far and the experiences I’ve had up until this point. I’m excited for what the future holds as we continue working with our clients throughout the Inland Empire.

Pricing:

• Corporate Teams start at $1,500
• For 50+ teams, Full Day Rates are $5,000
• Individual Sessions Start at $450
• Personal Branding Sessions are $1450

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chris-holt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headshotsxchris
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headshotsxchrisholt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisholtphotography/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chris-holt-photography-rancho-cucamonga