Today we’d like to introduce you to Joslyn Crowl.
Hi Joslyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I knew at 17 I wanted to be a photographer. The Anne Geddes Calendars hung up on my wall of gorgeous portraits and I loved looking at them. I went on to have the most amazing photoshoot for my senior photos and knew I wanted to give that experience to other people one day. In 2002 I graduated with a degree in graphic design and went on to have every job unrelated to my passion and purpose but at the time that is “what kind of paid the bills”. Not many people believed I could do it on my own without another job because I have very bad dyslexia, and I listened. In 2008 I took a leap and started offering photography sessions to clients.
About the same time, my health started declining. I was battling stage 4 endometriosis, it got bad, real bad. My days blurred together and every day was full of pain and a lot of emergency room trips. I lost my reproductive organs, I lost the ability to have children. I underwent several surgeries in a short amount of time. I was tired of losing things and decided it wasn’t good to put off a dream any longer.
In 2015 I went full time with my photography business, and in 2017 opened my very first amazing photography studio. I have since gone on to offer mentoring to other photographers, publish 3 Gratitude Journals, an online shop, two Etsy shops, became an Amazon influencer, won several awards, and am currently writing a book that will be published in the spring of 2022. I hope to inspire others that may have dyslexia, a chronic illness, endometriosis, or just no support system or cheerleaders; that they can keep going and do what they want to achieve their dreams!
I am almost 39 now, it has been quite an adventure since that dream began at 17, but I get to photograph women now and give them the best photoshoot experience and photographs that will last a lifetime.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. For example at my grand opening, a few nights before the grand opening of my studio I wanted to make an affirmation card that said “I am beautiful” for everyone coming. Something little they could stick in a mirror and look at every day as a reminder. The day of the grand opening came and everyone loved them, they took selfies with them and sent me messages of them hung on their mirrors. At the same time, a photographer had photographed my event and ruined all my photos so I have no photos of my grand opening. Then a few days later, I received a message that said “You know beautiful is spelled wrong on your affirmation cards?”
The reality of “You can’t do this business on your own, your dyslexia is so bad.” was staring at me in the face. I felt like I could have curled into a ball and rolled away into the dark. I made a post about it and the response was positively overwhelming. More people wanted them- it got almost 1000 shares, for me at the time it was a lot… Just because we have flaws, doesn’t mean we aren’t beautiful, no matter how it is spelled!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Joslyn Crowl Photography?
I specialize in women’s portrait and boudoir photography, it is a bit different experience with us than most studios. You get a full day with us. You come in for hair and makeup and a fully guided photoshoot in our gorgeous studio. We have a variety of shooting spaces and sets that give you a variety of images. I process your images while you have lunch or run an errand. Then we sit down, go over your images and pick which ones you would like to purchase. Our 12×12 album is one of our favorites and a big seller for us. It gets you pretty much all your images and you for sure will want them all!
Then you go home and I get to work on your final edits, removing bruises or acne. We can also remove cellulite and do other edits by request. Then I design your order, then order it from our professional labs and get it shipped to you as quickly as we can!
We have spent a long time practicing and perfecting our craft and getting it right in-camera, with posing and lighting and editing that really helps our clients get an instant response and no waiting to see their photos or wait for their order. I really enjoy getting to see their faces light up when they look at their images.
Any big plans?
We have a few things up our sleeves for the future, but I am not one to spill the beans while the cook is in the kitchen. I do know I will be expanding my mentoring, especially as my Tiktok platform grows even bigger, I really love teaching people about how to start a business. I am also excited to get my first book published, I am already thinking of ideas for a second one! I think it will really help inspire women, especially ones with endometriosis, to go after their dreams. No matter how long the road takes.
I always wanted to be a mom but my photography business became my baby when I wasn’t able to have children anymore, something endometriosis robbed me of. If I can help people with that, whether it is giving them beautiful photographs, learning to take beautiful photographs, or inspiring them to keep going, it feels comforting to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: joslyn@joslyncrowl.com
- Website: www.joslyncrowl.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ joslyncrowlphotography/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ joslyncrowlphotography - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCfaYVlxlNs4yCmhjQhNJ3Ww - Other: https://www.tiktok.com/
@joslyncrowlphotography
Image Credits
Joslyn Crowl Photography
