Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Catherine.
Christina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved art. When other kids came home from school and watched cartoons on TV, I tuned into PBS so I could watch Bob Ross paint magical scenes of nature.
It was around this time in my life that I received my very first camera. I didn’t know it then, but that camera was just the beginning of a life-long love of capturing everything around me on film. From family and friends to nature, I recognized early on the importance of documenting the significant, and the seemingly insignificant, moments that occur around us on a daily basis.
I learned to see and appreciate all the details in our world through my camera’s lens. It helped me become a much more observant person, and to appreciate all things in life – no matter how small. This ability to see and value the people and the world around us – in all its forms – is something I made sure to pass down to my own children.
Over the years my hobby of capturing nature and people on film began to turn into a business as people wanted to pay me for my art.
In recent years, I have focused my attention on Portraiture. After reaching a certain age myself, and with 3 nearly grown children, I have come to the awareness of how vitally important it is for women to exist in photos. I have always been comfortable behind the camera, knowing how important it is that everyone else’s lives are documented in photographs. But, somewhere along the way – I forgot to include myself. I realized that someday my children will look for images of me. What would they find?
I knew that I could not be alone in this feeling. I knew most women (whether they’re mothers, aunts, sisters, wives, friends, etc) were likely also caught up in focusing on nurturing others, and not paying attention to their own self-worth. Perhaps they’ve even stopped seeing their own beauty, or neglected to recognize their own importance.
Whatever the reasons, or whatever the cause, it became my mission to help women reconnect with themselves. To capture them in beautiful portraits for all time, that not only will they love, but that their future generations will cherish.
So, whether it’s to celebrate a milestone, to build confidence and honor her beauty & femininity….or to just have an incredible headshot that will attract more business and add to a woman’s increased success in her industry…
Every woman deserves to feel abundantly beautiful, and have an amazing portrait of themselves that they love.
Working with the clients I have had the privilege to photograph, I know I am helping them change the way they see themselves and reconnect with the gorgeous women they always were.
This is the reason I love what I do so much. It’s the greatest feeling in the world to be able to fulfill my mission through my photography.
Has it been a smooth road?
When I decided to focus mainly on Portraiture there was a significant learning curve, It has taken years of intensive study and training to get to where I am today. Creating beautiful portraits involves a ton of technical knowledge that must also be combined with a certain amount of artistry – and marrying the two has been a challenge in the best way. If it wasn’t for my personal mentor, Sue Bryce (one of the foremost portrait photographers in the world), I would not be where I am today.
What are some of the influences that have played the biggest role in your journey so far?
The most profound influence in my photography career was my grandfather. I liked to call him a ‘professional hobbiest’ because while he didn’t make a living at photography, it was an integral part of his life for as far back as I can remember. He even had a mini-portrait studio and darkroom in his basement. I grew up with him always having a camera nearby or in hand, which showed me the importance of documenting every part of life from an early age. He loved showing off his own photos, and would gather the family for evening slideshows, or passing around his portable slide projector at the dinner table. His love of capturing life on film was infectious. It meant the world to me too when he would offer his stamp of approval on my images as I began my own journey in photography. To this day I can hear his words in my head saying “great shot” whenever I know I’ve made a really good photo.
Another pivotal influence came much later in my life when I discovered world-renown photographer Sue Bryce. I always knew I wanted to take my photography to the next level with portraiture. So when I found Sue Bryce, listened to her teach, and eventually be trained by her in person – everything came into focus for me. At last, I was set on a well-defined new path with certainty and conviction in my photography career.
Do you have a favorite type of client or project?
I particularly love to help women in business create a powerful portrait portfolio so they can confidently promote their brand, stand out from their competition, and grab the attention of their ideal clients to attract more business.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.christinacatherinephotography.com
- Phone: 661-388-5708
- Email: info@ccphotomagic.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ccphotomagic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccphotomagic
- Other: http://www.twitter.com/ccphotomagic
Image Credit:
© 2016 Christina Catherine Photography – All Rights Reserved
