Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbey Friedman.
Hi Abbey, 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 dad handed me a camera when I was five and gave me two rules: if it moves, take the picture. If it doesn’t move, take the picture. He ended up with a SD card full of freeway signs on one road trip. My cousin is a wedding photographer based in Michigan. For the longest time when I was younger, I wanted to follow in her footsteps. Until a wedding corrupted on me. I figured weddings weren’t for me, and I was okay with that! I continued on to shoot sports during high school but wasn’t falling in love with it the way I was hoping. I went to film school to major in photography, and there I learned more about fashion and beauty photography. It was almost like a light went off in my mind when I found this genre of photography. I fell in love with the process of location scouting and posing, down to the nitty-gritty of learning how to retouch and grow my skillset there.
Since then, a lot has changed. I graduated during COVID, experienced burnout, bounced back, fought creeping feelings of fear, opened up to my parents about my struggle with burnout and the side effects of it on my mental health. It’s a battle, one of which I’m extremely open about, but I’ve learned to not let it hinder my capabilities. I got to where I am today with an amazing support system, my creative intuition, and tons of hard work and late night/early morning combos.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, goodness, no. Not only is entrepreneurship bumpy and hard, calculate in a global pandemic, and the want to learn and grow and you get me post-graduation. Luckily I have such a strong support system to help me through anything and everything I face. My main struggle within growing my business is by far impostor syndrome and the fear of rejection. Fresh out of college, I was easily intimidated because I was afraid I didn’t have enough experience or that I was lacking one thing or another. Since then, I’ve learned to carry myself and my work with more than enough confidence that attracts work and clients.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in fashion and beauty photography, but I dabble in everything. I am known for my colors, posing, and the common notion that it is not a true photoshoot with me if I am not on the ground at one point or another! I am most proud of how much I’ve grown during a time period where growth didn’t seem possible. I believe my relatability and communication allow me to stand out from others. I am a friend first, and I easily understand and can relate to topics shared during photoshoots.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a leap year baby! I am 1 of 388,000 I believe for my leap year.
Pricing:
- From $500 for fashion shoots
- From $400 for beauty shoots
- From $500 for graduation & family shoots
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abbeytookthisphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeytookthis
