Photographer Spotlight: Priscilla Choi

Location: Austin, TX

What's in your camera bag & what's your favorite lens? 

Nikon F100 with 50mm F1.4 lens Pentax645N with Zeiss 80mm F2 lens Pentax 75mm F2.8 lens Favorite lens is definitely the Zeiss lens hands down!

Who inspires you?

Honestly, it's not a particular one person, but many of the small businesses (not just photographers) that I follow on IG inspire me to keep going with my work, even on days when I don't feel like it. Seeing them work their butt off to get where they are, like home bakers, candle makers, artists, photographers, moms who started Etsy shops, and not giving up on their passion, gives me hope that I can one day get there too. It's hard not to compare in a world of saturated social media stream, but I think in this sense it's not so much comparing but more so a goal/ a model that I can look up to and be inspired by.

What makes your brand unique?

My brand mission statement is "capturing extraordinary beauty in everyday ordinary". There's beauty all around us, and I aim to seek beauty in the mundane -- by capturing things in the moment, to have families less posed, to reveal how beautiful this world can be, especially in our time where it always feels like it's full of darkness. It's easy to forget to "stop and smell the roses" when we go through life like a hamster wheel and it starts to feel boring and pointless. So I photograph families, couples, babies, pets, travel in a way that really shows the beauty in our everyday lives. I also shoot 100% film because of how unique and beautiful film is; pair that with my beautiful unique subjects and that's my brand.

What's your favorite aspect of your business?

My favorite part of the whole business will have to be gallery delivery. It really touches my heart when I can get my photos back to my clients and help them see how beautiful their families are, or the small little moments and details that are worth cherishing forever. It makes my day when I'm able to provide just a bit of joy to others even if it's just through photographs.

What business advice would you give to someone overwhelmed with starting out?

Make sure you find joy in what you're doing, and remember to give yourself a lot of grace. Starting a business is a lot of work, and it takes time. Nothing happens overnight and it certainly didn't for me. I'm still struggling with marketing, building clientele, being consistent with social media, but I just remember I'm doing this because I love film photography, and everything else is secondary. And research! It's so important to keep learning and not give up, it's one thing to be lazy and not put in the work and then say that the business is slow or isn't working out, but when you're eager to learn more, it'll show. Join FB education/ community groups, connect with other photographers or creatives in your fields, google any questions you might have, sign up for classes, seek out experts in the fields you need help with, like marketing or SEO, or website designer etc.

What's your Starbucks drink?

chai latte

Where can we find your work?

https://www.priscillamchoi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/priscilla.m.choi/

https://www.facebook.com/priscillamchoi