Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Avery Lockridge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Avery, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care has become such a vital part of my life, especially since my divorce back in 2020. Looking back, I didn’t realize how much stress was affecting my health—I had a laundry list of medical issues and was reliant on prescription medications. After my divorce, I decided to take my healing into my own hands. During the covid lock down, I made it a point to reconnect with nature. Every day, my daughter and our two dogs would head out to explore the local trails, and those moments in the great outdoors truly transformed me.
Once the lockdown eased in 2021, I invested in myself and pursued my yoga teacher training certification at Houston Yoga and Ayurveda Ashram. This experience opened my eyes to so many natural healing methods. I dove into reading, focusing on books about healing the mind and body. My brain felt like it was going to explode at times with all the new information I was taking in. Whenever I had a spare moment, especially while driving or waiting around, I turned to audiobooks to keep the learning going and still do.
My quest for knowledge didn’t stop there. I went on to earn my Reiki I and II certifications, as well as a certification in crystal quartz sound healing. All this studying and practice led me to establish a daily routine of yoga and meditation, which has eradicated the health issues I once faced. For the first time in my life, I’m completely off all prescription medications and have successfully re-wired my brain.
While I know there’s still more healing and personal growth ahead, the progress I’ve made has liberated me in so many ways, giving me the space and courage to finally chase my passion for photography and grow my own business. It’s been an incredible journey, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a country girl, born and raised in a small town in north central Texas, that is approximately 6 hours from here. I truly love the outdoors and making memories with my daughter and family. From a young age, I was interested in art and photography; I also had a passion for teaching, so I obtained a degree in Human Growth and Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology from Texas Tech University.
For the past 15 years, I’ve enjoyed teaching a wide range of subjects to students in grades 6-12. In addition to my teaching career, I am a single mom, and I run my own photography business, Avery Lockridge Photography LLC. I’m entirely self-taught, and my journey has been fueled by hard work, determination, and a genuine love for capturing life’s special moments. As I continue to teach and grow my photography business, I am reminded of the joy and fulfillment these passions bring me. To see the smiles on my students’ faces as I capture their special moments is a gift beyond measure.
These roles shape who I am and drive me to pursue my craft with relentless passion and dedication. It’s been an amazing journey, and I can’t wait to see where it leads me next! My transformation from a small-town country girl to teacher, single mom, yogi, and business owner is a testament to the power of following your dreams and embracing the things that set your soul on fire.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve found that having these three qualities really made a difference in my journey: strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a good dose of perseverance.
Being able to connect and communicate easily with others has really helped me in my business. I genuinely enjoy making connections and chatting with others about anything, I have met some of the most fascinating people doing photography and I love every minute of it. As a photographer, it’s so important to make people feel at ease and be able to guide them on poses so they can shine in front of the camera.
I have always been the type that notices the little things. Paying close attention to details is key. Knowing how to position my camera, capture the perfect angles using the correct settings and master lighting makes all the difference in creating stunning images.
I can’t stress enough how important perseverance has been on my journey. I’ve never let go of my dreams, even when things didn’t seem right. For instance, I dreamt of starting my photography business back in 2019, but the timing just wasn’t ideal. Then I tried again in 2020 before the lock down and once again timing wasn’t right. I didn’t give up, I did have to wait a few years, but it was well worth the wait.
My advice to anyone who is hesitant about starting their own business is to just do it! Dont be afraid to invest in yourself, you are the only one who can turn your dreams into a reality.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Wow, it’s amazing to think about how much I’ve grown over the past year. I really feel more confident and at ease in front of the camera like never before. I’ve also been getting better at posing clients and being more intentional with my shots. Of course, I know there’s always room for improvement, and I’m excited to keep exploring new ways to continue developing my skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://averylockridgephotography23.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: avery_lockridge_photography
- Facebook: Avery Lockridge Photography LLC
- Linkedin: Avery Lockridge
Image Credits
The first Photo of me was taken by Casey Davis Photography. All other photos were taken and edited by me Avery Lockridge Photography.
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