Meet Carra Roots | Photographer & Creative Strategist

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

Hi Carra, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Comparison can not only steal your joy, but your coins as well. Even though I have been taking pictures for over 10 years now, I officially left my job in December 2019. During that time, it has been an entrepreneur culture shock. It was if my eyes opened to all the “competition” around. Yes I completed work, worked with different people, and continued to be sought out for different projects. However, somewhere along the way, looking for inspiration and/or admiring other peoples work, made me second guess mine all the time.

Because the internet is instant and growing vastly, I sometimes only seemed to see the results of people growth in business and creativity, which made me resent my process. With this I underpriced myself and diminished my expertise because it wasn’t “more than what the next person knew.” In all reality, my client wasn’t looking at the next person. They came to me because of what I brought to the table and the work I created; whether that was photography service or other creative services.

What I have done most recently, is create a list of the things that I have done and the results that I’ve produced to affirm myself. Doing things with comparison always in mind can have you working so much so that you never take the time to sit and look at what you’ve done. This has been that season for me. The receipts have been for me this season. It has taught me to check in with myself, realize that I am growing, and adjust prices accordingly.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My brand Created For You Only, allows me to use all of my skills to birth visions and document moments. Photography, creative consulting, graphic design, and website design are things that were etched in me before birth. I say this because, I just would happen to have opportunities to use these skills and would just flow. In college, I remember saying I don’t know what I want to do, but I know that I would be so good at making someone look good as a dream job, and now I get that very opportunity. I capture people with my camera and their idea with my mind.

When going to college, I was confused on what to choose to major in. I decided to take on graphic design as a major, and flunked out it by the second class and went to photography. Until then, photography was a hobby for me and I always said that I was not interested in making money from it. Funny how life turns out.

After college, I got the opportunity to be mentored by someone in the consulting business. I was so passionate about helping that I didn’t even realize it was pulling out something in me. My 9-5 was working with children with autism, I was doing some art shows with my fine art series “Augustavia” when God led me to start my business full time.

Through that time, I took on projects I didn’t want just for money, I self-sabotaged myself because I wasn’t where I wanted to be, and I tried to do it all just because I knew that I could. The biggest challenge for me was and is learning to say no and seeing my worth. Saying not no because “I don’t have the time” but because I know that it doesn’t fit what I do, even if it’s what I once did.

I am proud of myself though. For betting on myself. For creating my own lane. For the growth and for what I am about to walk into.

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 I thought of, is are they down for a shoot first, lol. Thats the first thing that we would do.

Next I would check out the @UnlockingRVA page to see if there is anything happening in the city that week. Monday, we would grab a bite at my aunties restaurant Mama J’s in downtown.
Tuesday, we would check out Verses The Open Mic at Addis restaurant to see all the talent.
Wednesday, sounds like a good day to check out some art in at the VMFA or Institute for Contemporary Art.
Thursday is a good day to catch brunch at Maple Bourbon.
Friday, we would explore the city, walk around Broad St, the Arts District.
Saturday is the perfect day to head to Brown’s Island and take a walk and cross the bridge to the rocks.
Sunday, we would end it of course by catching service at New Generation RVA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would like to thank and dedicate my shoutout to God. He is the CEO of my business and the reason for where I am. Thank you God for trusting and guiding me in my journey.

I would like to shoutout Lauren White, who has always been a inspiration to me. She mentored me and allowed me to glean knowledge from her in the field we are in. I learned so much from her and was glad to know that there are other people whose brain works like mine lol.

I would also like to shoutout my best friend Lakayla Bonaparte. She is my un-proclaimed business consultant. I can go to her about things and she listens and helps connects the thoughts of my mind. So grateful for her continual push in business.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my mother for being my walking billboard. She may not know what my business is doing in detail, but she will hand you a business card anyway.

Website: www.createdforyouonly.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createdforyouonly/

Other: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_carraroots/

Image Credits
My headshot was taken by Lakayla Bonaparte.