Conversations with Caitlin Gregory

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Gregory.

Hi Caitlin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I was obsessed with magical love stories. Fairy tale love stories and rom-com movies always left me with a euphoric feeling. When middle school arrived, the time came to join after-school clubs. I chose photography. Granted I used a disposable Kodak, but it was so thrilling to snap away and see what I ended up with from that single-use camera at CVS or Walgreens a week later! And you can’t forget those underwater disposable cameras! Those were a real hit. Time went on and cell phones were more advanced and popular with their own cameras. At the time, the over pixelated photographs were the world to me. I was taking snapshots of absolutely EVERYTHING! I wanted to look back and have memories that were actually in essence relivable via the small snippet picture I snagged on my flip phone. Once I graduated high school, I spent a couple of years trying out college and different majors. I did end up graduating from nursing school in the end, but I just felt that wasn’t my true love and passion. My husband and I married in 2012, and in 2013 he realized he was never going to get away from me taking those pictures on my cell phone of every little thing and then trying to print them for the walls of our home. He stepped up big time that year for Christmas and bought me my first DSLR camera. He told me that he had faith in me and knew I had a talent that could take me places. He truly encouraged my photography and wanted me to be the best I could be. So, off I went! No longer was it my phone snapping away. I had a real, true camera and could not put it down. As most photographers do, I started out with only natural lighting and did sessions for my friends and their families. But it wasn’t long before I knew I wanted to grow. Again, my husband had the utmost faith in me and pushed me to do weddings (something I was very nervous about). After offering my first three weddings free, I learned SO much and realized how hard of work it truly is. But to me, it isn’t work. It is a passion and a gift that I continue to give to this day. Time has gone on, courses and classes have been taken, and so much gear, equipment, and lighting have been purchased. I have truly never veered from my original style, but have capitalized on it with the proper training and tools. Bold, colorful, timeless, and journalistic. My business has expanded more over the past several years than I could have imagined at the beginning of this journey. The people I have met as brides and grooms have truly become friends that I get to witness sharing such a deep love from their engagement to their wedding day and then growing their own families which I so fortunately get to be involved in as well when the babies arrive! I am very thankful for the skill I have been so lucky and blessed to have received, and I am so happy I get to share it with whoever may choose me.

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?
“Progress is not linear.” = Maria Montessori. We all suffer bumps along the road to success. I feel we may not appreciate those wonderful successes if we have never been through the valleys of running our own business. One of my largest challenges was like so many others: 2020. It was set to be my biggest year on the books with more weddings than I had ever scheduled in one year. Unfortunately, many brides and grooms not only postponed but canceled their weddings altogether. Thankfully 2021 has picked things back up, but 2020 was the year of sadly unfulfilled potential.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I get the opportunity to document amazing love stories being a professional photographer, & I LOVE IT! This is not a job for me but a passion that I am grateful to pursue. There are many good photographers out there, but what makes me unique is my passion for what I do. I will do anything to capture the most intimate moments for brides and grooms to enjoy for a lifetime. If I must get in a tree, lie in a mud puddle, or wade in the water to get the perfect shot, I will do it! My style for photography is definitely “in-the-moment”, bold, full of color, and professional. I love to use external flashes and high-end gear to really highlight the couple in every scene. I always ensure there are unique shots in each person’s wedding gallery that really sets them apart from other galleries. I customize the shots or special features to their specific wedding day.

Not only do I shoot weddings, but I continue through the life journey with my brides and grooms as they hit anniversary milestones, grow their families, or even want a fun session with the pups! This is so much more than “work” for me. It truly has created an extended family.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I definitely feel that mentors are a key to growth. I honestly found several amazing photographers on Instagram and listen to their reels on how they set up certain photographs, how they edit, or just how they market their work. I also have connected strongly with different types of vendors in the wedding business to get a true sense of the full wedding process.

Pricing:

• Uniquely Crafted Wedding Collections begin at $2,400

Contact Info:

• Email: Caitlin.gregory@caitlingregoryphotography.com
• Website: https://caitlingregoryphotography.com
• Instagram: @caitlingregoryphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caitlingregoryphotography/