Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Lee.
Hi Holly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Creativity was always encouraged in my house growing up. My grandmother was a seamstress and a painter and my mom is one of those people who believe you can make anything. And she does-no limits. Working with my hands and expressing myself visually is something that comes very naturally. I got my first camera at around 13 years old and I began photographing everything around me.
My introversion was used to quietly take in the world around me and document it. Then as I got older I began working up the courage to ask my friends to let me photograph them. And the thrill of storytelling through imagery was born. After graduating high school I knew I wanted to make this my career so I established my own business doing portrait work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. I think one of the major realizations of owning a business is that growth takes time.
And I see that as both a good and an unfortunate thing. I’m someone who likes to do things fast and likes to see fast results. So this has taught me so much patience and is ingraining in me steadfastness.
There’s so much behind-the-scenes work that prepares me for when I get to that shoot day and so much work to establish my brand and what I’m about. I’ve had to allow the years that I’ve been working in this field to teach me what and how I want to photograph.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a portrait and small business photographer. I approach photography from a documentary perspective. One of my favorite professors in college was a photojournalist. I learned so much from him and one of the big things I’ve leaned on is to allow room to let things flow as they may in order to capture that honest moment. I think that’s what makes the way I photograph so fulfilling.
Something I’ve come to be really proud of is the way I make people feel when I photograph them.
I’m so happy when I see someone’s eyes light up on a shoot because we’re on the same page and we’re in the groove. My goal is to be as generous as I can be with ideas, and with my time, and to be flexible enough to work outside of the box.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
A major thing I’ve learned is how important it is to be gracious and aware of the differing circumstances we’re all coming from. I work part-time as a receptionist at a counseling office and have for over 6 years now.
And through the years it’s taught me so well how to treat people with complete kindness and respect. That has absolutely spilled over into my own business and has given me more insight into what a treasure it is to operate out of a spirit of grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: hollycatherinephotography.com
- Instagram: @hollycatherinephoto
- Facebook: @hollycatherinephoto
- Other: pinterest.com/hollycatherinephoto
