Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbi Cooley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
You want complete honesty? I didn’t grow up with a camera in my hand like other photogs. I didn’t always know I wanted to do this, and I wasn’t always good. The first day of college was the first time I ever held a professional camera in my hand. Needless to say, I wasn’t at the top of my class, I never won an award, and I never fully fit in with my peers who in my eyes were so much more advanced. I did, however, know that no matter what I was going to bust my ass to make this work and succeed.
College taught me how to use my camera, California taught me how to be a photographer. It was through the culture/new surroundings and new found independence that I found inspiration and began to find myself.
I started my career in fashion by moving from Iowa to California and assisting for Los Angeles photographer, Michelle Paulsen, on sets for magazine editorials, look books + other art projects. She gave me a whole new outlook on what it means to be an artist and it was during this time that I really started to learn. I also began shooting New Faces for modeling agencies all over LA. This gave me complete creative freedom and allowed me to find my voice and determine what I found beautiful.
After about two years of living in LA and struggling to pay the rent (it’s extremely hard to make money in editorial photography), I was forced to reevaluate my career. I remember speaking with my mentor at the time and expressing how the thought of shooting weddings + families made me cringe. It all seemed so repetitive, so stale, so uninspired. I couldn’t bear the thought of spending the rest of my days asking people to stand there and smile at the lens while I snapped another lifeless click. It was these words of encouragement: “You don’t have to play by those rules. Shoot what makes you happy and bring your editorial style to the wedding world and see what happens.” That changed my outlook.
THANK GOD, because I’ve never felt more alive, and more at home, than I do document real love.
So, the short version of my journey – learning to use a camera, learning to be an artist, learning to document authentic love.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a creative is an extremely vulnerable career. You’re pouring yourself into your work, it’s so personal, and then it’s displayed for the world to judge. It’s so easy to absolutely torture yourself by comparing everything you to do other professionals on Instagram, etc. Confidence is key, and you’ll get there once you stop looking at everyone else and start focusing on making YOURSELF proud.
In photography specifically, I think the hardest part, (at least for me it was) is finding your style. People like to make it seem like it comes naturally and make you feel like crap because you can’t figure it out, but the truth is everyone is a beginner at some point and has grown into where they are today. Have patience with yourself. Don’t compare your journey to ANYONE else. Continue to work hard, study your craft, experiment, and eventually (even if it feels like an eternity) I promise you will find your sweet spot.
Some of the top photographers in this industry with thousands of followers and instant success are 21-year-old girls who appear to be BORN artists. THAT can feel defeating. I’m here to tell you that I started at 19 and it wasn’t until I was 26… seven years… that I really found my style and truly became successful.
Once you hit that sweet spot, you are confident in your style and passionate about what you’re creating, you’ll attract the right clients and it will all begin to click. Always keep pushing, learning, and wanting to be better. That’s what will make you proud. That’s what will make you great.
Please tell us about IMAGES BY ABBI.
Life is all about little moments and big love. If you could freeze your sweetest moments in time, wouldn’t you? That’s what I do. I’m so proud to be able to preserve a small piece of the most special part of someone’s life.
I specialize in weddings and couples photography- basically, I get to spend the happiest day of peoples lives with them. It’s the best.
What I offer is not a portrait. It’s a memory. My goal at every session is that when my clients look back on what we’ve created together 50 years from now they’ll be able to FEEL the images. Memories of what that time of life felt like. I know it sounds crazy cheesy, but it gives me butterflies just thinking about it. I document love in all its forms, new love, old love, quiet love, passionate love. I get to see all its stages and how it changes and grows. Sometimes, I’m with my clients through their proposal, engagement, wedding, maternity, and new family. I’m never just there as a vendor – I get to become a part of these people’s lives and a part of their story as I tell it through photography.
It’s one thing to take what I call a “grandma’s fridge” picture (let’s be honest- that’s where all our ‘smile at the camera’ photos end up) but it’s another to document authentic emotion. It takes creating a genuine connection with my clients to make them comfortable enough to open up and share their emotions with me, and that’s when the magic happens.
My photography has absolutely nothing to do with the prettiest floral dress or making sure every hair is in its place. It’s all about the way he makes her laugh, the crinkle in her nose, the single tear down his cheek when he looks at her.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
It’s so funny, my assistant is a male, and without fail, at every wedding, I shoot he is constantly approached as the boss/leader. There are two ways to look at it, you can allow it to really frustrate you or find power in being able to correct people and show that you’re in charge. It was a learning curve for me to find my authoritative voice and speak confidently when people may not have high expectations, but there is nothing more empowering. Honestly, I think it’s a beautiful time for women to thrive and create their own success. I love the quote “Be the CEO your parents wanted you to marry.”
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $4000
- Couples Sessions start at $600
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abbicooley.com
- Phone: 319-231-0508
- Email: imagesbyabbi@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbicooley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagesByAbbi/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/abbicooley
Image Credit:
Abbi Cooley
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