Erin Voirol, Executive Director of CASY-MSCCN, interviews entrepreneur , photographer, business owner, and proud Milspouse Cristin of Emrick Photography.
EV: What steps did you take on the way to becoming a photographer and entrepreneur?
CE: I am a self-taught photographer and business owner. I started working at a chain photo studio as a photographer and manager 13 years ago. I learned quite a bit about lighting theory, posing, and how to profitably run the studio. I worked there for several years but, of course, as a military family, we had to move. Fortunately, when we came to VA, I was able to find a job at a camera store/production lab. I started there so I could make sure I could study all the latest equipment and really understand how the cameras worked when used manually. Working in the print lab helped me understand color theory and the dos and don'ts of proper exposure. After my move to Washington State, I searched for a similar job. Luckily, I found one and could continue to learn while I worked there, all the while practicing on my own with my own equipment. It wasn't until our move back to VA that I officially opened Cristin Emrick Photography, and then a year and a half later, Cristin Emrick Seniors. As a self-trained business owner, I made SO many mistakes my first couple of years. In hindsight, I would have taken some business classes before starting. But I didn't and had a lot of trial and error! I really didn't think too much about the business side of things until they came up. Huge mistake.
MilSpouse SUCCESS : Cristin
EV: What obstacles if any have you had to overcome as a Military Spouse and entrepreneur?
CE: One of the hardest things is having to rebuild every time we move. I have yet to have to rebuild my photography business but, each time we moved, I had to find a job in a very selective market. When we came back to VA, there was nothing available for me. So I ended up taking almost two years "off" to be a stay-at-home-mom/volunteer until I had the courage to start a business!
Homecoming photographs by Cristin
20