Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Forrest.
Hi Claire, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I think I’ve always enjoyed art and storytelling. I didn’t know photography could be a profession, but I loved it as a hobby for years until I realized I could turn it into a job, and the rest feels like history now. I went to Saint Louis University to study Art and love the path that becoming an entrepreneur has taken me on… because each day requires the best of me and a dedication to being better and getting deeper with myself and my clients. I think I have become a better person for the people around me because of the demands this business has made of me, and I like to think I rise to the challenges presented on a regular basis in a way that makes me a better human.
Studying people through a camera lens is an interesting combination of learning to recognize the vulnerability and seeking the good in each person as they trust me. I love that my job is to understand light and how it bends and illuminates in the world around us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I really can’t complain about any specific obstacles because if the road had been any smoother, I believe I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have. Every roadblock and challenge has lead me to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of where I’m going and why I want to get there.
I started by saving money for my first camera, and I’ve been completely self-reliant and financed since day one, which is something I am proud of. My family lives on the work I do as a creative, and while that is sometimes a difficult balance to walk, it is one that I cherish even more after the past year!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do photo and video lots of weddings and small business branding work! I think the thing that sets me apart currently is providing an equally beautiful product on both – usually, a company is stronger on one or the other, and as technology improves and cameras are even smarter, I really want the work I do on both fronts to be equally impressive, beautiful, and artful. I love both, and I enjoy the challenges of both, and I think that I am known for doing both well.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Hm! I feel like I’m pretty transparent in my brand, but I keep a lot of my life off social media and separate from my business!
A few things that come to mind are… I was open water SCUBA certified while living on a boat at age 19. It was a life-changing experience that has to lead me to start a swimwear company (Coraleeswim.com) to support Coral reef regeneration efforts across the globe. I absolutely love to travel and travel very frequently for work (10 flights this August alone), but I am actually very, very uncomfortable flying and deathly afraid the plane is going to fall out of the air most days. I used to do triathlons and marathons and still feel the most comfortable in my skin after a great workout.
Contact Info:
- Email: claireforrestfilms@gmail.com
- Website: www.claireforrestfilms.com, www.coraleeswim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire_forrest_films
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Imageclairity
