Today we’d like to introduce you to Pixie Spindel.
Pixie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My obsession with photography began early on. I’ve just always known how to use a camera, a natural instinct, my chosen tool to remember moments, both for myself and others.
One of my first memories is being 4 years old in the basement of my grandparents’ house in Brooklyn. My father and my uncle were talking by a door and I wandered away and into a room with a red light and wet photos of my aunt hanging on a clothesline. My uncle found me and switched on machines and showed me how the magic happens there. That was my first memory in life; paper, water, red lights, that smell of chemicals and memories hanging on the line. When I was 21 years old living in Brooklyn, he gave me that enlarger and all that darkroom gear.
At age six, I started ‘borrowing’ a camera from my father’s closet, exploring nature in my backyard, noticing the sun through the trees, curious about this box in my small hands, with knobs and settings I was yet to comprehend. I just pressed buttons and memories emerged. It felt like magic…. I didn’t want to hear off-stops or anything technical back then. I just wanted to capture the sun. I now know about f-stops and technical things, but I still strive only to capture the sun, whether outdoors or within people.
I gained experience by just doing it, by shooting for free in the beginning, asking questions, searching within for what felt right with contracts, direction, lighting. It’s all instinctive and deeply gratifying.
In photography, I have found a way to make people happy. Besides creativity, this is what I love most about it. My camera is a tool to capture the authentic connection between people. I love to enthusiastically instigate moments… And also intuitively know when to switch to a long lens and unobtrusively capture memories as they unfold.
I have been professionally capturing events and portraits for over 16 years. I’m originally from New York City where I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts. I now live in Los Angeles and capture portraits and events all over Southern California and worldwide.
Great, 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?
Running your own business, especially as a self-employed artist, can be challenging. The good/bad news is that you are the captain of your own ship. Choosing to steer your company into thriving waters can be empowering.
In the beginning, I struggled with marketing, pricing, contracts, lighting, posing, copyright and all the necessary things that come with being a professional photographer. Success is just a passion meeting opportunity. With that in mind, I embraced the learning and kept my eyes on the prize.
Please tell us about your business.
I specialize in wedding & event photography, corporate & family portraits. I now live in Los Angeles and capture portraits and events all over Southern California and worldwide. My website is www.pixievision.com.
Pricing:
- Photo Shoot Session (Headshots/Family/Pets) = $450 for 90 minutes
- Event Photography (Wedding/Bar Mitzvahs) = $2,500 for 7 hours
- Birthday Parties = $500 for up to 3 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pixievision.com
- Phone: 818-512-8474
- Email: Pixie@PixieVision.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixievision/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixievisionphoto/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pixievision
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pixie-vision-photography-los-angeles-3
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pixievision/
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