Meet Debra Thrasher of Debra Kay Photography in Yorba Linda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Thrasher.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Debra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up on a farm in Ohio helped create my love for photography. There was nothing better than taking off on my bike with my film camera (remember those) and taking photos of anything and everything that caught my attention which included horses, sunsets and friends. So much natural beauty released such freedom and creativity. I knew I loved photography but didn’t know why and didn’t know it was something I could make a living doing. Eventually I became a Cosmetologist which still gave me that creative fun outlet and was people oriented.

Fast forward to marriage, moving to California and continuing to work as a Cosmetologist while still enjoying photography. The natural beauty of California, while different from Ohio, was stunning! As was the light! Realizing this made me also acknowledge I needed more education…and a better camera! I began taking classes using a borrowed camera and realized I loved it even more but still didn’t get serious. Photography for me became even more of a way to get away while being right where I live. You look at things differently through a camera…even things you may see every day. Patterns, angles, shadows/light and so much more come into play in the camera. So I saved, bought a camera, took more classes and fell more in love.

Then, as with all of us, life happened. Marriage ended in divorce but I decided to stay in California because I love it here. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. Then life happened again…my camera was stolen…UGH! There was no insurance and no extra money to get a camera at that point. Fast forward through several jobs, relationships, 2nd marriage, a baby and a new camera!!! Gotta have a camera with a baby, right? WOW, my love was reawakened and I couldn’t get enough. I loved taking photos of our baby girl, then her with her friends, then her dancing and just life. She opened up another genre of photography to me, portraits! Life throws you curves, leads you in ways you never dreamed possible and if you are open gives you the gift of something you love.

Photography for me is creative, fun, yet hard work and I love it! Over the years my skills, knowledge and equipment has grown.

Great, 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 my gosh, no! Is anything? I have truly learned more during my failures than my immediate successes. Although I don’t mind immediate successes! I have faced many of the same obstacles anyone else does. Self-doubt, am I good enough? Will I have a clientele? Will I make them happy? What should I do? How am I going to pay for what I need.

One of my initial and continuing struggles is how expensive it actually is to be in business. Photographers have many of the usual business costs: insurance, licenses, continuing education expenses, computers/software, studio rental, travel expenses plus photography equipment. While smartphones have come a long way, they still do not compare with the quality of images that you can get with professional gear and this gear is costly!

Another struggle is managing the time investment in each session. After the initial contact there are pre-session consults/planning/location selection, actual session time and post culling and editing. I have had a number of people ask “Why is photography so expensive? All you do is point a camera and take a picture!” As I try to explain, there is a lot more to it than just pointing a camera and pushing a button.

My final challenge is my imagination… Sometimes, I have to rein in my ideas/plans to make them realistic! But it sure can be fun!

Please tell us about Debra Kay Photography.
When I initially started my company, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to specialize. With that in mind, I ventured into almost every genre of photography from engagements, weddings, maternity, newborn, children, families, headshots, graduating seniors and real estate.

What I have always known I love is Senior portraits. It’s an exciting time in every graduate’s life. Many have bittersweet moments knowing their life is going to change but also being eager to pursue what comes next. These are once in a lifetime moments, like weddings, that is so important to capture in photos. One of the things that sets me apart from other senior photographers is My Senior Portrait Experience team program. I love creating an experience for each senior that tells their story. It gives me the opportunity to encourage them to have fun, dance, laugh and I will create and capture those memories, something unique not a cookie cutter look. Bringing in what they are passionate about, hobbies, car, pets and anything else that shows who they are! In addition, there are several concept sessions that each participant can choose from. These are styled fun sessions. My most recent concept session was Steampunk theme with a little Hunger Games mixed in with styling, makeup and hair!

Something I got involved with this year is a campaign called Project Beauty which involved partnering with other photographers across the United States. There are too many stories of the struggles that young people are currently facing. A world filled with labels, body shaming, self destruction, bullying, trying to fit in the mold of society’s idea of perfect beauty and suicide. Project Beauty is a movement to show them they are not alone. My goal is to use photography to free young women from the misguided concepts of perfect beauty and perfect body. They are photographed make-up free and the beauty is in the simplicity. This opens a dialog and helps empower them, so they feel confident in themselves and to embrace the imperfections that make them uniquely beautiful. #youareenough

I am also embracing Contemporary Women’s portraiture. As young women have challenges they face daily so do more mature women. I love this genre of photography as it allows me to photograph women in a way they are not used to. Too many women do everything they can but tackle someone to get out of the way when a camera comes out. My goal is to make sure they exist in photos for their children, families and their legacy. I want to show them how I see them… incredibly beautiful, strong, intelligent, sexy and with life experience that creates even more beauty.

Last but not least, weddings, one of the new wedding angles for me is elopement weddings often in partnership with Officiants Plus, an Orange County, CA based wedding service provider. For those that want a simple, intimate and sweet wedding without all the expense and stress. Everyone has their own reasons and I love being able to provide beautiful photos and participate in these intimate ceremonies.

Ultimately, I believe it’s important to connect with the people who are in front of my camera…let their personalities shine through. Sometimes it takes time to get them comfortable but eventually most loosen up and have a great time. I love seeing the silliness and laughter ensue when they realize the goal is to get amazing photos while having an incredible time.

Finally, I love my job, it’s my passion and gives me the opportunity to give everyone the gift of memories!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Gosh…it’s difficult to pick just one and most of them involved adventures of some sort! Several of my favorites occurred during the winter in the snow, which I loved when I was younger. Still love it, but from inside looking out now! I think my all-time favorite winter memory is when I was around 10. As usual when we had a winter storm everyone would huddle around their tv’s with hot chocolate while getting ready for school in the hope school would be cancelled. If a snow day was called, the phones started ringing as we all planned to meet to sled and just play in what became a winter wonderland.

This particular storm was bitter cold and the snow blasted us through the night. When it had finally let up a little, and our parents let us out, we all gathered in knee deep snow. It was freezing and talked about how it was supposed to be warm inside an igloo… At that moment, we decided to build an igloo! We had the deep snow to pack and to cut out the large blocks. It took 8 of us most of the day but we got it done and all piled inside. Guess what, it was warmer! What an amazing experience as we all ran to our respective homes, packed food, brought flash lights and stayed until our parents forced us home. It was glorious and beautiful!

Contact Info:

• Address: 5495 Bayberry Way
  Yorba Linda, CA. 92887
• Website: www.debrakayphotography.com
• Phone: 714-745-4864
• Email: dnpthrasher8093@sbcglobal.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/debrakayphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/debrakayphoto

Image Credit:
Debra Thrasher

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