Meet Camri Copeland | Actor & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Camri Copeland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camri, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’m an actress and I change up my hair A LOT. If you can relate, you can imagine how expensive this can be when it comes to presenting yourself at auditions and having accurate headshots. One day I went to get my headshots done and I thought, oh this is easy. I figured I’d buy my own camera and use a tripod to take a quick photo of myself if I ever needed a quick FREE headshot. After playing around with the camera, I started taking photos for my friends whether it be birthday parties or family photos. Eventually I saw the vision that I could create a business and offer people great prices for what they’d probably spend their life savings on elsewhere.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a visionary. I see things in my head that I want to capture and I accomplish the look each and every time. I listen to my clients as well and help them achieve the looks they are going for. I’m very professional, punctual, and I have very quick turnaround times. I’m very easy to get ahold of and I have a website set up that is easy to use and provides answers to questions you may not even think to ask. I’m very transparent, and all the work that I post on my social media platforms have been shot and edited by myself. I am most proud of the vision and the passion that I have for my work. I picked up a camera one day and started shooting. I haven’t taken any extensive classes, but I have attended some webinars to increase my knowledge of the technology. It doesn’t take much for an artist to create art when it comes naturally.

I am where I am today because I didn’t quit. I’ve pursued more clients than I’ve had client pursue me. In the beginning it was extremely hard to get people to want to shoot with me when they didn’t have any work to look at. I had to learn how to sell myself and how to promote as well.

I’ve learned along the way that no matter how well you do what you do, there will sometimes still be people who want things done their way. I’ve had a contract since I started my business, but clearly everyone doesn’t read it. I’ve had people tell me how things should be and tell me what their other experiences have been. I am very open to suggestions, however, I’ve had to stop bending my policies just because someone else feels I should. I had to learn to put my foot down with late fees, travel fees, and photo selections.

I want the world to know that Cc Photography is constantly growing. I am adding videography to services provided which will pretty much be a behind the scenes video of the actual photoshoot. I will also soon be adding self-tape services again where actors can come film their auditions or skits with the team. I plan on adding two more photographers in different areas of Georgia to cut back on long travel distances. Cc Photography is only beginning and will continue to grow and excel. If you are looking for a great photographer, I will not let you down!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing we would do is go to Gocha’s Breakfast Bar and get some of those Better Than Your Mama Biscuits. I’m telling you those biscuits almost brought me to tears. The next thing I’d want to do is to go to an escape the room. I love brain teasers, and I think it’s really cool to be trapped trying to escape. Its a fun little activity we could include others in on as well. Afterwards we’d go to the mall. I’d probably stay on the Southside of Atlanta and go to Southlake. For lunch we could go downtown and grab something from Tropical Smoothie Cafe and take it to Piedmont Park and have a nice little picnic. After eating we’d walk around a little bit to burn some calories. We’d then leave and clean up and go back out in the evening to have dinner at Mary Mac’s and drinks at a bar on Edgewood. Throughout the rest of the week we’d continue to find fun actives like the Selfie Museum, iFly indoor skydiving, bowling, skating, and paint-balling. We’d defiantly have to use ATL Scoop to find some of the good spots to eat like Old Lady Gang, Fill Up Station, and the Sugar Factory. I don’t club a lot, but I would suggest hitting a few bars and lounges as well, maybe even a spa day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Currently I have to give credit to my amazing boyfriend. He’s an actor as well and we met on set. It was actually the first set I’d been on in 5 years. I’d been in 4.5 (it’s complicated), really bad relationships at this point in my life. I was working on self love, getting back on my feet, and basically just getting a fresh start. He immediately became my biggest support system. He has been by my side every step of the way. He helps me with my auditions (more like coaches), he works out with me, and he has even added videography to my photography business! He is truly an asset and I am so blessed to have him. He makes all this hard work so much more worth it.

Website: www.ccphotographycaptures.com

Instagram: @ccphotography.captures

Facebook: Cc Photography

Other: Personal IG: @camri.marie

Image Credits
Camri Copeland (ccphotographycaptures.com)