Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbey Garrison.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Before moving to Knoxville, TN, in 2020, I lived in Illinois my entire life. Growing up, my family lived paycheck to paycheck and could not afford extra things like family pictures. Then, when I was in upper elementary school, my mom began her own photography business and needed a second photographer for some of the weddings and events she photographed. I immediately fell in love with photography and would help her in any way I could, even if it meant not always having the camera in my hands. Seeing her do her thing made me fall in love with the job. Around high school, I got my mom’s older camera and began photographing my close friends and stuff for fun. That experience reassured me that I wanted to pursue photography one day, even if I had no clue what I was doing.
Only when I came to college in 2020 and joined the Johnson University Communications Department as a student photographer did I truly understand what goes into being a photographer? With everything I had learned in my first semester on campus, I created what is now known as Abbey Nicole Photography in 2021. My small photography business started with some business and gave free photoshoots to build a portfolio. Since then, Knoxville has shown me so much love, and my business has blossomed in 3 and 1/2 years. I love getting to be a little piece of my client’s lives. My mission is to provide a professional photographer to capture the many moments life has to offer, all while keeping my prices at an affordable price so that the people who cannot necessarily afford a photographer have someone in their corner to show up for them.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a challenging road. I started my business in a brand new city, knowing nobody, and I was at the height of a pandemic. I struggled because I did not know many people in the city; my following was all my friends and family back in Illinois, and I had to begin with some free photoshoots to begin getting my name out in the Knoxville area. Also, trying to be a photographer during the pandemic was another set of challenges because events were not happening, and people did not need a photographer. Call me crazy, but I would not trade that for the world. It taught me so much, and I owe a lot to my people at Johnson University and my mom for always encouraging me to keep going and not give up on my dream.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business, Abbey Nicole Photography, started offering affordable but professional photography to those who could not afford the “regular price” of photographers. I am a lifestyle/ wedding photographer in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area, but I do travel! I have photographed couples, proposals/engagements, weddings, seniors, prom/homecoming, maternity, families, church services, events, camps, and more. While I have photographed all of these things and thoroughly enjoy them, my favorite specialty is couples, weddings, seniors, and families. What sets me apart from other photographers is my affordable prices, willingness to find the best price for my clients, and flexibility in scheduling because I am finishing college. I do not have another full-time job, and I do not photograph your life events for the money but rather to freeze the many moments we experience. I want readers to know that my photography business is a gateway into people’s lives and an honor that they let me in to experience these moments with them. I never want to show up and “just” take photos. I want to photograph your life and help in any way to make it as smooth as possible.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk-taking is when you step into an opportunity and are willing to embrace what is ahead, even if it is unknown. A significant risk I took was moving to college eight hours from home and opening my photography business when I did not know anyone besides my sister. There was so much unknown in that season of my life, mainly because I was still so young when I moved, and I was not sure if college would fully work out because of what our world was experiencing at the time. Looking back, I realize that taking that risk and leap of faith led me to the most incredible four years of my life. Another risk I took was opening up my business to wedding photography this year, and while I was so nervous about that, it has been the greatest blessing to work with so many amazing couples and be a small part of one of their biggest days. Looking back, the risks I took scared me because I did not want to fail. However, I am so grateful I took the risks, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for my business.
Pricing:
- Mini Sessions- $99
- Regular -$150
- Senior-$150
- Wedding- Packages/Custom Packaging
- Prom Session $175
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abbeynicolephotography.shootproof.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeynicole_photography?igsh=Y3pneTI4MDVodmQy&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035372994550&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Abbey Garrison with Abbey Nicole Photography
