Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Kelly.
Hi Christy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve enjoyed taking pictures ever since I was a kid. I’m a creative type by nature, so photography was one of many avenues I was able to express myself artistically. My dad was a hobby photographer and captured many of our family memories over the years, so when he suddenly passed away, I was so thankful for all the photos and videos he had created for us to remember him. I think constantly having cameras around instilled an appreciation for preserving snapshots of life; telling a story with images that revive memories we might otherwise have forgotten.
I actually never took a photography class in high school or college but gained plenty of experience covering campus events, concerts, and assisting with promotional shoots during my time at Missouri Baptist University. I graduated with a communications degree, got married, and a few years later, I was hired as an assistant at a photo studio owned by a friend of a friend. I had big plans to become a PR exec or writer, but life took a different path and I learned a ton about the shooting, editing, running a business, and creating an excellent customer experience from first contact to product delivery. I was happy as a “second shooter” and didn’t have any plans or desire to go into business for myself in the future – honestly, I didn’t feel qualified at the time.
When my daughter was born, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom and was an active “momtographer” with my three kids. I definitely have an entrepreneurial streak and built up a few different side hustles while they were little, selling handmade baby accessories and hairbows and later starting up a vintage resale Etsy shop. Of course, when you’re selling any kind of product it’s important to have great photos of your items, so my camera never gathered too much dust during those years.
Once my kids were all in school, I decided to venture out and find a part-time job. I was hired at a growing local small business – a faith-based apparel company called EllyandGrace. Though my day-to-day role was packaging and shipping orders, I quickly began to help with product photography and modeling shoots, and I remembered all over again how much I loved being behind the camera!
When Covid happened and the world shut down, I needed to stay home to supervise and help my kids during their remote learning season. Around that same time, I decided to listen to the encouraging voices in my life nudging me toward taking myself more seriously as a photographer. I had a whole list of fears and excuses, but the timing was perfect and I invested in a camera upgrade and quality lenses that I couldn’t justify having if I wasn’t going to put myself out there. Before I had to borrow a camera to do photoshoots for work, friends, or my church, but buying my own really sealed the deal that it was time to go for it!
I’ve been in business a little over a year and have learned so much during that time. I remember the first time I had a client that wasn’t already an acquaintance – that felt like a really big deal! It’s a constant process of improving my craft and delivering the best experience I can to those who trust me to capture their memories. I don’t take it lightly and consider it an honor every time.
I love meeting new people and telling their stories in a way that’s real, creative, and unique. I’m so glad my path has landed here and I get to pour my energy into something I love doing!
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 think my main struggle has been overcoming my own fears and insecurities. I have a handful of friends who I’ve watched build highly successful photography businesses and it can be intimidating to jump into the pool when there are so many others doing amazing work out there.
I don’t consider myself your stereotypical “boss babe,” I don’t necessarily have the business sense and drive that is often associated with “success” – but at some point, I had to stop comparing and start believing that I do have something valuable to offer the world and it doesn’t have to fit the mold or look like what everyone else is doing.
There is room at the table and I’m learning to be confident in my own unique skill set and approach to photography. The great thing is when you stop comparing yourself to others you can learn to celebrate their achievements and actively engage in building up your creative community.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in families, seniors, couples, and baby/kid portraits. I love to capture the real, authentic moments between the posed pictures. I’m highly relational and it’s really important to me that my clients walk away from a shoot with fun memories and photos that express the love, laughter, and connection they share.
I’m fairly new to the game and I’m willing to try new ideas, think outside the box, and work together to bring a client’s vision to life.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My family had a boat and we would spend our summer vacations at the Lake of the Ozarks at a little retreat center at the quiet end of the lake. It was such a peaceful place where we could unplug and enjoy the outdoors together, go out in the boat at night and look at the stars, waterski and swim during the day, and just make sweet memories together as a family.
Contact Info:
- Email: radiantphotostl@gmail.com
- Instagram: @radiantphotostl
- Facebook: facebook.com/radiantphotostl
