I'm excited to share a little news from the studio! I was recently featured in Voyage Dallas as part of their Rising Stars interview series, where I had the opportunity to reflect on my journey as a photographer, the lessons I've learned along the way, and what continues to inspire my work today. It's not often that I sit down and really think about how this whole adventure started. And honestly, looking back, it's pretty amazing how one small bit of encouragement turned into a career that's now spanned more than 17 years.
From Photographing My Kids to Building a Portrait Studio
Like a lot of photographers, my story started with photographing my own children. When Facebook was still relatively new, I was sharing their pictures online when a friend who was a professional photographer suggested I consider pursuing photography more seriously. I certainly didn't have a business plan or any idea where it might lead, but I decided to give it a try. I enrolled in photography classes, joined Professional Photographers of America, and began building my business while working from home and photographing clients on location.
Today, Courtney Mitchell Photography is located in a restored historic building in downtown Sherman, Texas. I photograph families, children, high school seniors, and professionals throughout Texoma, and I still get to do something I genuinely love every day.
The Lessons Learned Along the Way
One of the things Voyage Dallas asked about was the challenges I've faced as a business owner. And there have definitely been a few! Ha! Learning to recognize the value of my work, understanding the business side of photography, and adapting to an industry that's constantly changing have all been part of the journey.
But perhaps the biggest lesson has been realizing that growth doesn't always mean doing more. Sometimes it means becoming more intentional about what you create, who you serve, and what you want your work to represent. That realization has shaped the way I approach portrait photography today.
Why Printed Portraits Will Always Matter to Me
Something that came up throughout the interview was my belief in the importance of finished portrait artwork. Over the years, I've come to understand that creating a beautiful photograph is only part of what I do. Helping my clients turn those photographs into something tangible, something they can enjoy in their homes and eventually pass down, is just as meaningful.
It's why I guide my clients through the entire portrait process, from planning their sessions to selecting their finished artwork. I recently shared more about this philosophy in my blog post, Creating Heirloom-Quality Family Portraits: More Than Just a Beautiful Photograph.
It's also what has inspired my latest creative adventure, creating hand-embellished fine art portraits that combine photography with traditional artistic techniques. Even after 17 years, I'm still learning and finding new ways to create. And I hope that never changes.
A Few Things You Might Not Know About Me
Of course, the interview wasn't all about photography! We also talked about a few things that might surprise you, like my degree in Political Science, placing second at the Dallas Quilt Show, and the time I went tornado chasing and ended up in a ditch trying to photograph a tornado. Yes, really! Ha!
These days, my hobbies are a little less adventurous. I'm usually happiest baking sourdough bread, gardening, reading, or working on a needlepoint project.
Read My Full Voyage Dallas Interview
I'm grateful to Voyage Dallas for the opportunity to share a little more about my story and the journey behind Courtney Mitchell Photography. More than anything, reflecting on these past 17 years reminded me how fortunate I am to have built a business around something I love, and how much the relationships I've made along the way mean to me.
To everyone who has trusted me to photograph their families, celebrate their milestones, or create professional portraits for their businesses, thank you. You've all been part of this story.
You can read the complete interview here:
Rising Stars: Meet Courtney Mitchell of Dallas-Fort Worth | Voyage Dallas
Here's to continuing to learn, create, and see where this journey takes me next.
Courtney
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