We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassandra Taylor Empey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Cassandra with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I got my work ethic from my Dad. Starting a family at a young age, he rose to the challenge of supporting my Mom, me, and my two sisters. I got my first job when I was 16, but by then I had been babysitting for years, and I understood what it meant to be able to have ‘fun money’ as well as setting money aside to save. When you’re young, it’s nice to have some sort of motivation for saving and that is how I got my first camera. I’ll never forget that feeling when I had enough and was able to go buy the camera I’d been wishing for. And I honestly haven’t stopped working since. I’m known as the odd-job finder in my family, and being in video and photography has opened me up to so many wonderful opportunities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Cassandra Taylor Empey, I’ve been a freelance photographer/videographer officially since 2011. That is when cassette productions began. The idea behind ‘cassette’ was partly because of my love of music, and a dream of touring with different bands photographing/creating videos. And another part was that I loved how similar it was to my name. I like the way cassettes are unique and only can be played in certain boomboxes or that specific cassette player. That’s how I feel about my photography. Since I was trained in documentary filmmaking, I believe the photos I capture tell a unique story. Whether that’s a family milestone or finding a family of grizzly bears in the wild, I like to step back and let the story unfold before me. My highlight is when I hear from a family that they felt at ease during a photo session with me. That is my goal!
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?
Honestly getting to know my camera was very impactful on my journey to where I am today. Back in college I took just a basic digital photography class and got to know the functions and how to get the best possible image from my camera. I will always appreciate taking the time to learn more. That also reminds me of something I learned at a film festival, there was a workshop for filmmakers and I remember one of the speakers saying go to every event, birthdays, weddings, etc.. experience things, and that will make you a better storyteller. I appreciated that advice and it’s motivated me not to miss out on events. I had the opportunity to work at Walt Disney World for a semester and I moved there not ever having been to Florida, not knowing anyone. It was wild to think about now, but I am grateful for taking that chance.
My advice for someone early in their journey would be similar to that sentiment. The more you take your camera out in the world and experience things, the better you will get at your craft. Maybe it’s not photography that you’re interested in, but when you have opportunities to try new things or see new places, do it! You won’t regret it.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
If I’m feeling overwhelmed, it’s probably because I’ve been scrolling too much on social media. The comparison game is rough in the field of photography and video. I love getting outside with my dog to relieve that stress! She’s a three-year-old golden retriever and always knows how to make me feel better. I also love turning on a comfort show or movie. My go-to is probably Harry Potter (any of them) or Friends. I also started rock climbing this year! That has been a great release and a place where I’m able to figure out bouldering problems that help me forget about the day-to-day worries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cassetteproductions.pic-time.com/client
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/cassette_pro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassettepro
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cassandita
Image Credits
All images owned by me, Cassandra Taylor Empey
