Meet Catriona Simental of Cat’s Eye Studios in East Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catriona Simental.

Catriona, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Like many other Arizonians, I wasn’t born here. I migrated here in 2010 from Carthage, Missouri. I had gone through a bad relationship right out of high school. I was starting to get my life back in order but I still wanted more. I decided to take a chance, leave my old life behind me and just go. I was actually reminded a few years ago that I had always said I was going to get out of the small city I lived in… and I did! After moving here, I did the young twenties thing for a while till I met my husband at a concert in 2013. We had our first kiddo the following year and life finally calmed down as I settled into stability and finally started learning to love myself.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like I mentioned, I moved here with my parents and brother from Missouri in October 2010. I had graduated high school in 2009 and moved in with my boyfriend at the time. I started college to major in photography and minor in marketing with huge dreams of owning my own studio someday. Things soon turned from great to bad with my boyfriend and, well, I didn’t finish my first semester of college and I can now call myself a domestic violence survivor. I had lost my dream of becoming a photographer, but it’s back and in full force! Nowadays with two kids (4 & 1) the hardest thing is finding time for everything. I definitely manage though!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cat’s Eye Studios – what should we know?
I’m a full-service photographer! I do complimentary consultations for every client, followed by (or sometimes combined with) a styling appointment where we decide on 3-5 looks for you. My most popular photoshoot option includes professional hair and makeup! What’s amazing is that your spouse/family can join in for no additional cost!

To think I started out with a passion for family and senior photos. I was craving something more though, something different. Then I found the contemporary glamour genre (think magazine style portraits) and I’m just obsessed with it! Not only do I still get to do what I love but I get to help women see and realize their true beauty. No one should ever feel like they aren’t worthy. On my bad days, I look at my own poster-sized self-portrait and it makes me feel like I’m a badass who can do anything. That’s all that I want for every woman I photograph. One of my first clients of this genre told me “you found the me that I’ve been searching for.” That filled my heart with pride and at the same time, I was humbled to have that impact on someone else’s life. It truly is a beautiful thing.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
If it weren’t for my husband, Frank, buying me a good camera to take pictures of our beautiful kids with, my old dream would’ve never had a chance to be a reality again. He is definitely my biggest, most patient supporter and I love him for it (shout out to you, babe!) I also have a few awesome photographer mentors that I look up to and I have learned a lot from. All of whom I met through a well-known photographer and educator, Sue Bryce. She gave me the building blocks for my business through her education and tough love!

Pricing:

• Personalized Photoshoot $120
• Makeover & Personalized Photoshoot $200
• Clients spend between $400 to $4000

Contact Info:

• Website: http://catseyestudios.com/contact-us.html
• Phone: 602-345-1740
• Email: hello@catseyestudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/catseyestudiosaz
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/catseyestudiosaz
• Other: www.linkedin.com/in/catrionasimental

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