Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Ranes
Hi Courtney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well, when I was 13 I got my first camera from my parents and I would literally take it everywhere with me! My friends and I would go out to parks and just take pictures for hours. Then my senior year of high school I decided to take a photography class and from then on I knew I wanted to try and build a photography business and make a career out of this newfound passion. So that’s exactly what I did and now I have had my amazing photography business for a little over 8 years now and I have loved every second of it and I’m so grateful every day that I get to do something I love for a living!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been ups and downs. Figuring out the financial and business aspects of it all has not been easy and still is difficult sometimes, even after 8-plus years. But I still wouldn’t trade it for anything! I truly don’t know what career I would have if I didn’t have photography!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Wedding and Lifestyle photographer in Ohio but I also love to travel for my work. I specialize in weddings and couples but I still photograph pretty much anything from high school/college grads to families and everything in between! I’m very proud of myself for sticking with photography and pursuing it and making it the success it is today, even with the obstacles I have faced.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Reach out to other local photographers and see if they have a mentor program or if you can be a shadow at a shoot for them. I offer mentor sessions if any photographers are interested!!! I also recommend trying out some styled shoots or photographer workshops! Those were a huge lifesaver for me when I was first starting. And just practice, practice, practice whenever you can. Even if you don’t make a lot or any money from it right now, just know that building a portfolio is the best thing you can do to get your business off the ground and actually make a successful career out of it! I still do a styled shoot or a photographer workshop every now and then especially during “slow season” (the winter months) to keep my creative juices flowing and to also not get burnt out, because even though I absolutely love my job, it still can be hard mentally sometimes and the chance to get super creative and photograph something that might not be your “normal” everyday kind of shoot can really help keep the love and passion part of the job alive!!
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $2,900
- Lifestyle sessions start at $375
- Mentor session start at $125
- I do offer payment plans for weddings and lifestyle sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.courtneyranesphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyranesphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D5wycLrQq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Courtney Ranes Photography
