Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie-Anne Moreau.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Carrie-Anne. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I stumbled upon photography a bit by accident. I’ve always been creatively inclined when I was young and it was really as I started to travel with my husband, that I started to use a camera a lot. Not only did I want to have my own memories of where we traveled, but I had such an appreciation of the beauty we were so fortunate to see. I understood that not everyone is able to take the time to travel where we did and it developed into sharing with friends and family. Then, kids came along and, of course, even more, pictures. It just became a natural action for me to photograph whatever was around that interested me or caught my eye. After seeing my passion, my husband was the one who bought me my first Sony and my passion for learning and broadening my skills continued to grow. Friends and family encouraged me to start sharing my images publicly. They felt I had great stories to accompany our travels and if they enjoyed my sentiments, many others would as well. From sharing my images on social media, eventually those who saw my work reached out to me to do their headshots or their child’s senior portraits, or the tumbling gym my daughter went to would call and ask me to do their athlete shots. Others would see my landscape work, etc. and were asking how much it was to buy. Next, it was real estate photography requests and recently I started challenging myself with product photography. My heart will always be shooting nature and in nature, but I enjoy the art and the learning with every project, person or scene. I’m a little business with some loyal clients that I appreciate, but I have a lot of growth to look forward to in the future. Until then, I just shoot!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This makes me laugh a little at myself. I had these grand thoughts of how easy it would be. It’s not, but nothing worth building is easy if it’s what you love. Some days, honestly, I don’t want to look at the camera. However, that subsides and it’s time to break out of your creative funk and practice what is challenging you at the moment. I think some of the struggles with photography, in general, is thinking or being persuaded to feel that your work will not be good if you don’t own all this expensive equipment. I still don’t own a bunch of expensive equipment. As a human being, I allow my brain to accept that we continue to learn. I am still learning techniques and I might get frustrated that something didn’t turn out the way I really wanted, but you just try, try again. Most say that I’m my own worst critic, I would be wrong not to agree so I really try to accept that when someone I trust says the work is great – then I need to leave it alone. One of the biggest struggles is rejection – so living with the fact that not everyone is going to love your work is hard, but never a reason to give up something you love. So, overcome the struggle and reach your goals.
Please tell us about Carrie Moreau Photography.
I love life so I try to capture what I can in the time I have. I’m probably better known for my nature and landscape work, but I’m truly proud of all the imagery I shoot and I put my heart into whatever project I’m working on. I’m a hunter and an outdoors person when time permits so, I’m really glad that I can share my experiences with others in the hopes that it opens their minds to get out of the house and enjoy the life before them. As a person, you can always change – it’s a choice. So, if you’re wondering what it’s like to go do something or go somewhere that my work gives you inspiration, then that makes me happy. I also like to donate my creative services to charity when I’m able. Either by helping with some graphics work or printing my work for a fundraising auction. It’s important to give back, however, you feel works with the time you have. I feel like the fact that I don’t have one particular focus or specialty is what makes me a little different. I’ve heard it’s not good to have a specialty, but I look at all of the people I’ve met or worked with, and all of the different projects I’ve worked on. Those are what made me grow so I’ve learned that it works for me.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
The valley, in general, is great. First off, it’s one of the top cities of the US. There is a ton of opportunity here. A lot of photographers too, but I think it’s good to have that variety. So, it makes for a great place to find the people you want or desire to work with. Secondly, we have so many stunning places here or not far out of the valley to use as our playground. From architecture, mountains, desert or pines, urban or country, people or no man’s land – we have it all. One of the things I love is being in the heart of the mountains and I think to myself – none of my friends have ever seen or been here except by way of my lens. That is pretty amazing. Maybe it exists more and I just don’t realize it, but we lack a little in Photography workshops or a beginner/amateur community that would help make photography not so intimidating for those starting out. I would’ve loved those years back and really – even now. Overall, the Phoenix area is a great place to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carriemoreauphotography.com
- Phone: 602-702-0144
- Email: carriemoreauphotography@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriemoreauphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/carriemoreauphotography
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