Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Mitchell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started as a vanity project back in the 2010s. This was when facebook and Instagram were newer and cell phones started having better cameras. I loved taking selfies, but I wanted to elevate my selfie game. I upgraded to a nice digital camera and learned how to take photos with the self timer, I quickly learned that taking photos of other people was much more fun, so over the years I slowly upgraded my gear and felt more comfortable charging. It was slow going, but here I am 16 years later 🙂
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Once I really started feeling confident enough to charge for sessions, Covid happened and I had two children since. Juggling life as a stay at home mom and the financial investment it took to build my business has not been easy. My husband has always been tremendously supportive, so I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a wedding photographer specializing in fine art and cinematic photography. I am deeply inspired by nature and the beautiful surroundings of Virginia, so I thrive when I have nature to compliment my subjects.
I have a pretty good balance of candid and posed photos. My poses never feel stiff, though. I take inspiration from paintings, so my goal is to always send you art that you would hang up. Sometimes I get a little weird with my poses, but that’s the beauty of art- there are no limitations. Do the weird stuff. Experiment. Have fun with it.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am pretty active on Instagram, so I follow other artists and photographers there and soak up all I can get. If there is a photographer I really resonate with, most of the time they are more than willing to chat or set up a mentor session. I had a really great mentor call with Brandi Potter ( bran.potter on instagram) and I am attending a retreat hosted by her in the winter. There is always something to learn from any and all, so I keep my mind open at all times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.faeforestphotography.com
- Instagram: @faeandforestphotography
