Meet Kalin Creech | Kalin Creech | Senior Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalin Creech and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business in college as a fun, creative, and flexible side hustle to earn extra income. In college, my class schedule did not allow for a full-time job, so I started my own photography business that allowed me to create my own hours. What worked well for me was shooting sessions on Fridays, weekends, and during lighter school weeks. But, most importantly, photography has become a creative outlet for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My photography editing style has definitely evolved. I’ve come to realize that finding your unique style takes time, patience, and trial and error to figure out what you gravitate towards, whether it be bright and airy photos, dark and moody photos, etc. Over time, this process became natural as I continued to take more and more pictures and spend more and more time in the editing process. In the beginning, it was a bit frustrating trying to figure out what my “style” would be, because I wanted it to come instantly to me. But, with consistency and patience, it came together through lots of practice. Now, I would describe my editing style to be true-to-color with a touch of warmth. Along the way, I’ve also discovered the types of sessions I enjoy most. My absolute favorite, and what I specialize in, is senior portrait photography, whether it’s for high school or college graduates. I love being able to celebrate such an exciting milestone in my clients’ lives. Today, I’m more confident in my workflow, from posing my clients without overthinking it, to using my camera equipment and settings, and editing more efficiently. One of the things I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown personally. Before starting this business, I lacked the confidence to talk with people I didn’t know. But through photography, I’ve learned how to connect with clients and make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Professionally, I wouldn’t be here today without the support of family and friends who so kindly trusted me early on to take their photos and give me the practice I needed to improve. Their kind words and referrals have helped my business grow, which I’m very grateful for! Now, I’m excited about this next chapter, where I’ll be moving from Raleigh to Greenville, NC, to attend graduate school at East Carolina University, where I’m pursuing a degree and career path in occupational therapy. While I’m excited for this next step and plan to continue photographing, I hope that I’ll be able to build new connections and a client base in the Greenville area/ECU community like I did in Raleigh and at NC State University. Starting fresh is always a bit scary, but I’m excited for what’s to come!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite experiences as an NC State student was attending the football games. I especially enjoyed tailgating with friends and eating yummy food before kickoff! As a big foodie, I love exploring new restaurants around the Raleigh and Cary areas. Two of my go-to restaurants are Scratch Kitchen in Downtown Cary and Village Drafthouse in The Village District. Lastly, if I had a friend visiting the area, I would take them antique shopping, which is one of my favorite things to do. Vintage Village in Raleigh is the best!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a special shoutout to my family for always encouraging me to pursue my entrepreneurial goals and follow this creative passion of mine. I would also like to recognize my boyfriend, Landon Hong, for offering his expertise in marketing, social media, and content creation to help grow my online presence. I’m especially grateful for Kayla Allison of Kayla Allison Photography, who has supported me since the very beginning of my photography journey. She has generously shared her knowledge on everything from starter equipment to editing software usage and communicating with clients. She’s been a great mentor and friend!

Instagram: kalincreechphotography

Facebook: kalincreechphotography

Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Kalin Creech Photography