Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Schultz.
Hi Priscilla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started photography as a business when I lived in San Diego and initially did military homecomings. From where I started to where I am today is somewhat at the beginning again. To clarify what I mean is I did photography in 2011 and in 2014, I decided to go back to school but I was stuck between majoring in creative arts OR science. I know very opposite ends of the spectrum but I love both art and science. I chose science as a major and recently graduated from University of California, Riverside June 2021 with a bachelors of science in Geophysics. My end goal was to be a planetary scientist working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory but my senior year during the pandemic I had an epiphany. I realized I love science, especially after interning at Jet Propulsion Laboratory but I truly missed photography and capturing people’s stories through still images.
So while finishing up my senior year, I started up my photography business again figuring out what I wanted to focus on for my business. I learned that I enjoy branding/lifestyle photography and couples, weddings and elopements to be specific. I love my background story and do not regret any of my decisions because I have learned so much from every journey I have taken to get where I am at now. I am still technically new in the photography business because while I was back in school, I stopped photography to focus on my classes. I am relearning some things and learning new things like business marketing but what has still come natural for me is how I interact with my clients and how comfortable I make them feel during their photoshoots.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hmm most definitely and I am still at the beginning of my photography career. Since coming back into the photography industry, I have learned not to compare myself with others and I work at creating a strong community/friendships with other creative photographers. I also have been trying to read, study and learn about business marketing and running a business. I now realize how crucial it is to know how to run a business and not just take pictures because taking pictures is just a quarter of the pie when it comes to doing it as a business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I shoot portraits such as for branding, graduates and couples but I also do weddings and elopements but that is a separate business with my husband Chris who is the cinematographer and it’s called Lunar Light Productions. We did a play on the name to include our science backgrounds and my love for things outer space, so we went with lunar since I love the moon.
As for my Priscilla Schultz Photography business, I focus on branding and couples shoots. I am most proud of going after every aspiration I want to achieve. I never want to wonder “what if”, what if I would have gone back to school to be a scientist or what if I would have pursued photography as career? I don’t have to wonder because for one I did attempt to become a Ph.D scientist and learned that I rather help with the science than lead it and now, I am currently pursuing my photography career and I know this is where I will be at for a long time ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe in blessing and hard work. I chose to pursue photography even during a pandemic over going to graduate school even if it means not having a steady income because working towards becoming an international photographer is what motivates me.
Pricing:
- Portrait session are $350
- Elopements & Intimate Weddings start at $1,200
- Weddings start at $2,500
Contact Info:
- Email: priscilla@priscillaschultz.com
- Website: https://www.priscillaschultz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priscillaschultz_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Priscilla-Schultz-Photography-100195695176502
Image Credits:
My main photo of myself was taken by Breanna Lynn Photography and edited by me.
