Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Burton.
Hi Carolina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My passion for photography began at the age of 10. I started taking photos with disposable cameras that I’d take back to Sav-ons to get developed every Sunday when my dad would visit us. I would take photos of everything! People, landscapes, architecture, animals, bugs, and even random things on the streets.
I have so many boxes full of prints! When I had my daughter in 2015, I was working as an overnight Veterinary Technician at an Emergency Animal Hospital in Norwalk, CA. It was my biggest passion. I had already been a tech for over 10 years! Having spondylolisthesis & spinal stenosis, my back would give out on me all the time and I had to make a choice. I did not want to work at the front desk. I wanted to be where the action was. I couldn’t raise my daughter getting hurt all the time. I had to be 100% for her.
It was heartbreaking. So I left the animal hospital and pursued my other passion; photography. For the past 8 years, I have taken portraits of over 80 families (most of whom have followed my career from the beginning and are now forever clients) and their fur babies. We moved to Utah in 2019 and I had to build up my clientele all over again. I’m happy to say my list is growing every day!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been all smooth sailing. Moving back to Utah right when the pandemic hit was so hard! I had left all my wonderful clients in CA and thought I’d build up my clientele up right away when I got to UT. But then Covid hit.
People were afraid. I offered over 40 free front porch sessions to my Daybreak community and gained a lot of new clients that way. But that’s not why I offered those sessions at no cost. I wanted to let my neighbors know that we had this together. Even if it wasn’t okay while we were all stuck in our homes for a good while, I would spread a little hope.
Now people look back at those images and remember a moment in history when times were uncertain but we made it out okay. And by doing that, I realized what an amazing community I live in. They truly helped me during uncertain times. One of my biggest challenges is still my back issues.
There have been times when my back issues caused me photography jobs. I hate to disappoint people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a lifestyle photographer. I specialize in family, branding, and pet photography. I’m known for making people feel so at ease during their sessions. It’s not just work for me, it’s creating something magical and connecting with my clients. I would say I’ve become friends with about 90% of my clients along the way.
Some are everlasting friends who I’ve taken vacations with or was a bridesmaid in their wedding. I’m a goofball and will do whatever it takes to make a child laugh. I see the beauty in all of your flaws. I was bullied growing up and I think that I’ve turned my pain into something positive.
I never saw the beauty in myself. But I could see it in others. I need to let people know that they are worthy and beautiful and I think people feel that when I photograph them.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see myself being bigger and better than I am today! I currently have a home studio in my basement but I see myself moving into my building or space.
I’m expanding my services and adding Overland Photography to the list next year! One of my other passions is off-roading. Put my two passions together and bam!
I’ll follow you on your next adventure so you don’t have to get out of your car, set the camera, run back to your car, do your thang, run back to your camera, make sure you got the shot, etc… So I need more volunteers for my portfolio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolinaburtonphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/carolinaburtonphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinaburtonphotography/
Image Credits
Carolina Burton Photography
