Rising Stars: Meet Caroline Batten of Apex

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Batten.

Hi Caroline, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my business in March of 2020 right before the world shut down. I was transitioning from being in pharmaceuticals for over 13 years, as I graduated from NCSU, when I started offering Front Porch Portraits to my clients. It was a great way to ease into photography. By the end of my first year in business one of my wedding images was picked up by Southern Bride Magazine for their instagram account. Since then I have been featured in Southern Bride Magazine for a proposal in Beaufort, NC, Merry Me Magazine, and Heart of NC Magazine. Currently, my photography niches include headshots, branding, event photography, and newborns. I specialize in lifestyle newborn photography as I hold a safety/posing certificate. Babies are a true passion of mine as I come from a large family. Then I enjoy working with professionals on outdoor lifestyle headshots or indoor studio portraits. Photography is something that has always been a part of my life. I was adopted at a later age and it was really hard to not have those childhood memories in the form of photos. I have always been that friend to “grab a photo in the moment” from even my high school days, when we used disposable cameras. And now, it feels like a dream to offer the quality of photos that I would of dreamed to of had growing up, to my clients. This “job” is a true dream. I have time for my clients, as I run a full time business but I am also now able to have the time for many other passions. I love to fill my time with volunteering at church, being present with my children including their events, and enjoy family time with a work/life balance. This has been a true dream come true.

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?
I graduated from NCSU in 2007 with a degree in Plant Biology then I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 13 year. My switch to photography was a complete 360 in my life. I have always been a hobbyist as I owned my first DLSR in 20014, so I am truly self taught. I am a natural researcher and I desire to work hard. Those qualities have served me well as I started from the ground level. Learning to run a business along with learning photography has been a process. My first year was defiantly the hardest but after that it has been a much smoother journey. Learning what photography I desire to specialize in has been a huge help to enjoying this career. I still have some of my very first client’s to this day, they have walked alongside of me in this journey. God has truly blessed me and I get to meet such amazing people each day. Every day is different but it is such an exciting career.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started out with a desire to get into weddings and telling myself that being a “wedding photographer” would be the only way to be successful. I learned quickly that I chose photography over my previous career to be more present with my family and that included setting boundaries. I then realized that the type of photography I enjoyed could be captured during the week and I could have a true work life balance. I have always been a perfectionist and I was able to take my background in Regulatory Affairs in the pharmaceutical world to my photography. I am drawn to photography that needs a certain care and skill. Headshots, newborns, and senior sessions have all been perfect for my natural perfectionist skillset. I do still offer weddings but I take on a very limited amount, typically previous clients or close referrals. In general, I take such care in my valued relationships with my clients and capturing the moments that mean the most to them.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The difference between my work and other photographer’s work would not be the photos per say. Yes, they are lovely and a high quality, as that is my client’s expectations when they book a session with me. But I would say the most important aspect to me would to give my clients the best possible images and experience. I strive to give my client’s the best experience from beginning to end. From their initial inquiry, being timely in my responses, all the way to their session. I ensure everyone is prepared prior to the session with great communication and I then I am very punctual and knowledgeable about our location. Finally, their images are delivered on time and match my portfolio. The biggest take away always for my clients is to have a fun time and feel comfortable with the experience. They are making memories in the session and they will think back on their session when they see their images. I want them to think about how wonderful their whole experience was with me as their photographer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinebattenphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebattenphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Caroline-Batten-Photography-100039871304325/