We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Upchurch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.
Allison, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
This year I have tapped in pushing my creative boundaries more so than any other year. Really reflecting on what my business is about and the experience I want to deliver to my clients. After officially launching Allison Upchurch photography in 2018, It was time to break out of the same routines and challenge myself to elevate my work and tap back into the fact that photography is a craft that I have been mastering for the past twenty years and truly an art.
I took initiative to meet with local planners and collaborate on a couple styled shoots that would not only fit a certain vision but allow me creative freedom. I also attended my first styled content shoot in 5 years. Making intentional time to just photograph what I actually want has been a breath of fresh air.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a wedding photographer based out of Auburn, Ca. I specialize in weddings throughout California, from the beaches of Orange County to the magic of wine country, with a style that’s effortless yet refined, I craft real life moments into art for my couples to have forever and its such an incredible job to have.
It wasn’t always champagne and roses though… I have a degree in human services and used to work directly with transitional aged youth with severe mental illnesses and homelessness. Which is rough but so rewarding.
When I first quit my job in the mental health field, I had just had my second baby and I was looking to stay busy, It’s just in my blood to work and want to provide, so I became a private photo editor for a local photography company. I remember sitting and editing their images and I’d tell my husband “I can’t believe people pay this much for these photos!” they were so poorly shot, and the galleries would come in just like another number or client that didn’t matter. I decided at that moment, clients and couples deserved more and I would be the one to provide that.
With my degree in human services, my client centric approach allows me to provide uncompromising quality service and an experience infused with intention.
I wholeheartedly believe in service over sales and am a mission driven business, always looking for ways to give back to my community. I just truly love what I do and want to be able to provide others with a piece of their legacy to pass down
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important skills or qualities to have is the hunger and grit to never stop. I wasn’t dealt the best hand growing up and I just knew I wasn’t going to settle, I kept working if some steps were baby steps. I also think being able to push yourself out of your comfort zones. I’m not the most outgoing person, complete introvert but being self employed in a service based field forces you to socialize and network. The last quality would be to never let yourself become stagnant. I’m constantly reading business books or self growth books (or listening to podcasts)
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who appreciates and values being in the moment. They want to create an experience for their guest yet understand the importance of the wedding day, not just making it a production. I seek to work with couples who want to immerse themselves in the day and be fully present, not worrying about every little timeline detail. A wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience and should be captured in a way that showcases the love & connection between them both as well as their guests through candid moments and genuine emotions. The couples who dream of having a gallery with images that possess a timeless classic feel with a modern twist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allisonupchurch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsallisonupchurch
Image Credits
allison upchurch photography
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