Why the name change?
How it all started…
I started my photography business in 2021. I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures of various sceneries such as tall alpine mountains, blue gorgeous lakes, blooming colorful flowers, etc. When my cousin asked me to photograph her engagement session, I was not only shocked but also honored. “Wow, my cousin considered me to photograph her session”, is what I thought about up until the day of the session. I created the name Spirit Photography NC because I have a dog named Spirit (who I loved to take pictures of) and I live in North Carolina (NC). Pretty basic right?
I wanted to learn and grow as photographer….
As a new photographer I wanted to learn and grow as photographer and business owner. Learning has never been an issue for me. I learn everyday in my nursing career. I began to search Youtube for photography tutorials such as “how to pose couples” and “lighting and location tips and tricks”. There were a copious amount of photographers who appeared on my Youtube feed. I consistently came across a Youtuber and educator, Katelyn James. Katelyn has over 76,000 subscribers on her Youtube channel. To me, this validated her expertise in the photography field.
I began to watch her videos everyday. It was almost like a ritual. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her kind smile, soft voice and organized format of her tutorials. I later subscribed to her photography website and received helpful information about photography. I was learning so much. It seemed like photography was a never ending avenue. As I was starting to create my website, I naturally incorporated her colors “teal and white” into my website. At the time, I thought her colors fit my brand too. Also, at the time I was figuring out my “photography style”. Photography style consists of how a photographer chooses to take a photo and edit a photo. I went from a dark and moody style to a very colorful style to light and airy. Now I feel like my style is warm, light and colorful. I love to include the sun in most of my sessions. I believe the sun is so beautiful. It represents the light of the world. The sun is vital for living things such as plants and some animals. I don’t know about you but when it rains for several days with no sunlight, I become a little down. I’m not motivated when there is no sunlight or if I can’t go outside.
Everyone is beautiful in their own way…
As continued my photography journey, I began to learn more about serving individuals in a different way. I’m so used to serving individuals in the healthcare setting where they are usually sick, depressed and upset. Photography can be used to serve people in a different way. I believe all individuals have a beautiful spirit in them. It doesn’t matter your age, gender, culture or socioeconomic status. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. That is where the name Sundara Spirit Photography came into fruition.
Beautiful in the Hindu/Sanskrit language is called Sundara. I don’t practice Hinduism however I do love the Indian culture. I love their flavorful food, beautiful sparkling jewelry, shades of brown skin tones and rhythmic music. So I decided to change my business name to Sundara Spirit Photography. I also added a new mission statement.
Sundara Spirit Photography supports diversity and inclusion by capturing beautiful images of various types of individuals in Eastern North Carolina.
You are so beautiful….
I hope my new name change speaks to you in a more meaningful way. I feel like my name change represents how I capture images of those who book with me. When you look at your photos I want you to see your beautiful (Sundara) spirit. You are so beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you any different!
What are your thoughts on the name change? Write them in the comments below! Let’s chat!
Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog!
