Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail York.
Hi Abigail, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always loved looking at art and photography but I had no good outlet for creating art so I never considered myself artistic. Every now and then I would pick up drawing or painting but then I would get side tracked by my other hobbies, mainly competitive rock climbing and pole vaulting.
In my junior year of high school that changed when I took a photography class and fell in love. I realized that I have a really good eye, and can see the world in unique ways. I started taking my camera with me everywhere and seeing the world differently. Instead of walking through the world on auto pilot, I now walk through the world with my eyes open, hunting for all those small beautiful moments so many people miss. I love being able to see that beauty, capture it, and then show it to other people who might have never seen it otherwise.
I also started taking portraits of people and fell in love with my ability to freeze a beautiful moment in time with my camera so that my clients can look back on it for the rest of their lives. My love for photography and sharing it with the world is why I started my photography business booking portraits and selling prints and cards.
I am currently attending college where I am majoring in art education and minoring in photography. As I continue to learn more about art my love for art grows, along with my ability to see beauty in the world around me. When I graduate I plan on continuing my photography business and sharing my love for art and photography with my future students as a teacher.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle has just been getting my name out there. I know that I am talented and that I have good prices, but people just don’t know about me so business has been slow. Advertising can be especially difficult for me as a photographer as not all of my clients grant me permission to use their photographs for promotional purposes so I have a lot of great photos that I am unable to share.
As a young woman, it is also sometimes intimidating and frightening to go out and take pictures on my own, especially in big cities and late at night. I would love to travel more to take pictures, but traveling is really hard because it is expensive, and at this point I am not yet comfortable with traveling long distances alone. Unfortunately, I just recently had a great trip planned that I had to cancel because of Covid.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer that specializes in portraits, landscapes and macro photography. My real specialty is being able to see beautiful moments other people miss and knowing the best way to compose a shot to capture it. Something that sets me apart from other photographers is my extensive experience in hiking and climbing, and my fearlessness in getting the shot. I will strap my camera to my chest and do whatever it takes to get the shot I see in my head; whether it be wading through waist deep water, climbing a rock or a tree, hanging out of a window, or almost getting frostbite. I am constantly trying new things and pushing myself to be better.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Go for it. Scientific studies have proven that it is better for your health, both emotional and physical, to chase meaning in your life rather than spending your life trying to avoid discomfort. Following your passion is scary and it comes with a whole host of challenges, but if it is truly something you love you will find a way. Don’t wait for the right time, or until you feel one hundred percent ready, because those things may never come. If there is truly something you want to do with your life, start taking steps to make it happen and do it now. I have wasted so much time being afraid of taking the next step, but every time I take that step I am glad that I did. Sometimes it’s a success and sometimes it’s a failure– either way, I am constantly learning and telling myself that I am capable and ready for what is next.
Pricing:
- Senior Pictures or Single Portraits: Starting at $100 an hour
- Couple Photography: Starting at $120 an hour
- Family/Group Portraits: Starting at $150 an hour
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://abigailyorkphotography.smugmug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailyorkphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abigailyorkphotography
