Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chrissy Canitano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chrissy, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I was torn between this question and the question “how did you overcome impostor syndrome” because to me they go hand in hand. I think the short answer is I took a chance on myself. A BIG chance. I risked everything, from my very comfortable income all the way down to what I was afraid others would think if I were to branch out on my own and start something no one even knew I loved.
I have always loved photography and rarely, if ever, voiced it to anyone. I had an entire 13+ year career in the healthcare industry, and the company I worked for for several of those years closed in January 2023. When that happened, I had 2 choices: either go back into another role or use this opportunity to build something that I could be proud of. My son had just turned 1 at the time, and when I was deciding what to do, I had a few factors in mind: first, I wanted to be able to create a lifestyle that allowed me to be with him, but also that had purpose and that he could be proud of as he grew up knowing his mom built something from nothing. Second, I knew for a long time I wanted to work for myself and this presented as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Third, I knew I wanted to reflect back the love that I had for my son into the world and help others do the same with the ones they love the most.
When I first shared that I would be starting a photography business, I was so afraid. I thought, no one even knows I do this – will they laugh at me? What if I fail? But then I thought… but what if it’s great? I have to try. I will never know what the outcome will be, what I can really do, if this can really BE something, unless I try. Now that I have taken time to learn and grow, I have finally also learned what I really find life-giving. Part of it was trying a little of everything and the rest is intuition and following what I love. As I’ve continued to pursue different avenues of photography, I have learned very clearly and distinctly how very important it is to use photography for a purpose – not just to create pretty pictures, but to capture who people are at their core. Photography shouldn’t be stiff poses. It shouldn’t be perfection. It should be real and raw, authentic and intimate. When I step in front of someone, and stand behind my lens, my only goal is to see them. TRULY see them. I’ve learned and continue to learn how to guide people into true interaction and how to make them feel comfortable enough to show who they are to me. Then on the other side, when I’m editing and thinking about the moments I’ve celebrated with them, I put my whole heart into reflecting them back to themselves in the purest way, whether that means approaching an image as it is, or including an artful perspective to fully bring out the moment.
I am most truly connected to maternity photography, and also am beginning to reach my photography into boudoir photography as well I find myself feeling so connected with women, especially women who are or are becoming mothers. There is something so deeply beautiful about women and their bodies – the power we have to bring life into this world. The thing about it is that I’m absolutely in love with how it can be used to make women feel their most beautiful. In a world where women can really be objectified I hope to use this as more of an inward experience of self expression and finding and embracing how amazing women really are. I want to help people find themselves, to really tap into their confidence and self-love in a very intimate way that’s personal to them specifically. Again, as with a couple or anyone else, taking the best parts of themselves and reflecting it back to them.
This purpose comes from a place of absolutely loving what I do, from always wishing to capture and hold on to the pure, perfectly imperfect moments with my son, and wanting to share that experience with every client I get to work with.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Much like I noted in the “How I found my purpose” section, my story began about a year ago. I wanted to build a business that I and my family could be proud of, and started my photography business to pursue that. The most exciting part of this is twofold – seeing how excited clients are to receive their galleries and receiving the feedback that they love the way they see themselves in the way I deliver their images, as well as watching my own growth and seeing how helping bring out the best in others is also doing the same for myself. I’ve found this experience to be incredibly uplifting. I feel more confident and excited to get up and “work” every day now. It doesn’t feel like work because I genuinely love every minute, every client. Even the worst day doing this is better than some of the best days in my previous career. I continue to learn and be able to give more to my clients, my family and myself.
I am so very excited to feel the changes and growth in my business as they are happening. I began doing mostly family photography, and I absolutely love that so much, but I find that the work I feel most connected to is with couples and women, especially mothers-to-be. I began offering Intimate and Micro Weddings as part of my package offerings just a few months ago, and now I am booked out for the year, taking new bookings for 2025. Intimate weddings are so dear to my heart. They are so unique and special – I live vicariously through each of my wedding couples when they are surrounded by the people they love the most. True connection and intimacy is part of everything I do with my photography business, focusing on the moments in between and the real emotion shared when you feel the most uninhibited and surrounded by shared love.
I have a destination bridal shoot coming up in May, currently organizing a big Styled Shoot content day for July, and while I have been lucky enough to shoot studio boudoir sessions in other locations, beginning this fall, I am going to open my private in-home studio for intimate portrait and motherhood sessions. I am beyond thrilled for this new phase in my business and hope to use it as an opportunity to really empower and encourage women to find the strength they have both inwardly and through their bodies.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Courage, Humility, Perseverance.
Courage to take chances, to say “I’m doing this for myself,” and “I have to know.” The guts to just go out and do it even if it’s not what you envisioned at first. I didn’t get slammed with business overnight, I let it be a natural-ish progression. I say “ish” because success doesn’t fall into your lap. It is something you have to work for, you have to go get it. You have to know you want it more than you are afraid to fail trying to get it. You have to be willing to let people say you will fail, to say they don’t like your work, to say it won’t last, and then decide none of that matters because you aren’t doing this for them you are doing it for you. That takes guts.
Humility to learn from your mistakes. To say “I’m sorry, how can I make this right,” if a client asks for something you didn’t expect. To say “I’ll try again” if the pictures didn’t come out exactly how you thought. To watch the videos and sign up for the classes and reach out to the friend – or stranger – to ask for help. To admit you don’t know it all and not let pride stop you from letting yourself get better.
Perseverance to mentally and physically keep going. When you are disappointed with the results of your social media post. When you aren’t getting as many calls as you’d like (until you are). When you are tired because you have clients to respond to and a kid to take care of. To tell yourself continuously and consistently “You can do this,” even when it feels like you can’t. YOU CAN. You have to make up your own mind to keep going.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I wouldn’t necessarily say “ideal client.” I would say “Best fit.” I think a best fit client for me would be a person or couple who is excited to be themselves and have a raw, uninhibited experience, unafraid to express their love and joy to a partner or self-love for an intimate portrait session. A best fit client is someone who loves intimate, artful imagery and will embrace the creative process. If you want to leave your session or wedding day feeling like you’ve just had a true experience that you got to really LIVE in, that you will have memories to last you forever and hang on your walls of your home with just a hint of a secret. I’m your gal.
Contact Info:
- Website: chrissymariephoto.co
- Instagram: @chrissymariephoto.co
- Facebook: @chrissymariephoto.co
- Other: pinterest – @chrissymariephotoco (no “.”)
Image Credits
All images are by me
