Meet Geena Crawford of Geena Crawford Photography in Mission Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Geena Crawford.

Geena, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I took the first major step towards becoming a professional photographer when I decided to include it as one of my majors at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Before then, I did not ever think about photography as a profession, just something that I had an interest in. I did not know what I wanted to do as a career, or even as a major before that (I had chosen Italian as a major before that, however, I did not know what I wanted to do with it, I just knew I liked it). I always knew that one day I wanted to own my own business. I did know that. That is how I grew up, both of my parents owned their own business, my grandparents had a bunch of different businesses over the years, it was just in me, and I knew I wanted to work for myself. How I was going to do it, I didn’t know. I had so many different ideas, from cupcake shops, to paint your own ceramics shops (like Color Me Mine), to frozen yogurt, tons of different ideas, but nothing stuck. Photography ended up sticking! Although not at first! I decided to major in it, however, then I went back, thinking it was going to be too difficult to get clients and directing or even speaking to the clients was extremely daunting to me at first. So after college, an amazing opportunity to work in a dental office fell into my lap, which I stayed at for about a year and a half until my husband (who at the time recently joined the Navy), and I got married in my beautiful hometown of Lyons, Colorado! It was around then that one of my good friends asked me if I would do senior photos for one of her co-workers daughter, which I was very hesitant to at first, but then ended up doing them. I fell in love, I had an amazing time. I loved the photos, I was hooked. I ended up doing a photoshoot for some other friends, which led to other photo shoots, and this was the start of my business! A few months later, I moved out here, to San Diego, to be with my husband, and I decided that I would just do what I could to start a business doing photography out here. Next thing you know, two and a half years later, I am where I am now, and I couldn’t be happier!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been pretty smooth so far, I am happy to say! I would say that my absolute biggest struggle, which does not seem like such a big deal now, was talking to clients. Knowing how to reach out to them and then later on, once they booked with me, knowing how to direct them. This was something that really scared me, almost to the point that I never was going to pursue photography after college. I am so happy I did! I feel like making the leap and just going for it got me though this obstacle, and each photo shoot ended up getting easier and easier.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the photographer and owner of Geena Crawford Photography. I specialize in Maternity, as well as Lifestyle sessions, such as Newborn, Couples, and Family Photography. My main goal is to make sure that my clients feel comfortable, that they have a nice, fun time, and have photos that show that.

I am very proud of how this business started, how far it has come, and where it will go in the future. I am proud of the client relationships that have been built over this time. I am proud every time I hear that a client loves their gallery. And I am proud that I will just keep learning and growing in the future, as a person and as a business.

I feel like my style of shooting sets me a part from others. This also goes back to making my clients feel comfortable and making sure that they have a nice time during the session. I love capturing natural looking moments, playing with different angles and directions, and doing whatever it takes to get the shot. Whether that means getting wet in the waves or climbing in the bushes. Aside from this, my style plays with light a lot, giving a lot of my photos a bright, warm, glowing feel, and I believe my editing style compliments that.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always an adventurer. I loved having fun, and I loved being with family and friends. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew each other, all my friends lived close, and my high school graduating class was around 57 people, and I love everything about that. I had the best childhood. I feel like I had so many interests, from playing sports and hiking around in the beautiful state of Colorado that I grew up in, to watching movies (I am one of those people who can watch the same movie over and over and over again), to traveling, seeing new places and tasting new foods (except seafood or anything to do with an avocado. I know, I am the only one in California hahaha). I feel like I have always been a fun, bubbly person who is up for (mostly) anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.geenacrawford.com
• Email: geenacrawford@hotmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/geenacrawfordphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/geenacrawfordphotography

Image Credit:
Personal Photo – AshGabes Photography

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