Meet Clarissa Epps | NC Based Photographer & Videographer

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

Hi Clarissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It all started with the decision to become a graphic designer. In 2016 I started the graphic design program at Wake Tech. I was required to take a photography class, so I decided to buy a beginner-level crop sensor camera. (Canon t6i) I enjoyed the class and was inspired to take more photos. On February 6th 2018, I did my first photoshoot and felt like a natural. After my first photo shoot, I decided I wanted to take photography further, so I started my photography business. (Claire Photography on Facebook, Instagram, & Tik Tok). I still remember that I only charged $25 for my first two photo sessions. I quickly realized that I was worth much more than that. It wasn’t until August 10th, 2019, that I shot my first music video called Pre Celebration by Dunkin Lanez and Spazzo D. Rollins. (two local Raleigh artists, both on Instagram) I wanted to shoot music videos after taking my first multimedia class at Wake Tech. Video editing techniques and software inspired me. It took me a while to realize that, but I loved taking photos and editing videos long before taking these classes. God’s plan was made long ago, and I didn’t know about it.


Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am NC Based Videographer and Portrait Photographer. For photography, my audience is mainly families and children. Although I can do any portraiture, these are the clientele that I went for initially, and it kind of just stuck. I wouldn’t change my audience for the world. It took me some time to realize how much of a difference I am making in people’s lives. Not only do I create everlasting memories for families that last forever, but I make people feel perfect about themselves by capturing stunning images and high-quality retouching. For videography, my primary audience is local artists. I do a lot of music videos, and I am passionate about them. I love that my audience is entirely different from my two businesses. One is very formal and kid-friendly, and the other is the complete opposite. I also do many events for videography, such as baby showers, Bridal showers, gender reveals, and birthday parties, and I recently just started accepting weddings. I think people know me as the short, light skin girl with curly hair that does photography and videography. I am known to work hard and stand behind my service. I come with great energy at every shoot, and I always give it everything I have. I am proud that I take my time with my work. I know many people who push work out to get money, but I care about the quality of my work. I also care about my clients. I know what I am doing for them is essential, and I want to make sure they get the best! So I think that also makes me stand out. Another thing that makes me stand out is how I love showing people the process along the way. I share alot of content on my social media stories, and I make reels.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Networking is something that I am recently getting better at. I used to think everyone in my field was competitive and that they wouldn’t want to see me do as well. Now I know that is so not true and how valuable networking is. It is fantastic to help one another out, but it’s also amazing to talk to someone who can relate to you. So that’s the best advice I can give to someone just starting. Find someone in the position you want to be in and figure out how you can help them so they can help you. Also, most of the things I learned come from Youtube, so I can’t thank the content creators enough. People like YC Imaging, Peter McKinnon, B&H Photo, Manny Ortiz, Javier Mercedes, and Creative Ryan. All the content you need is out there, and if someone else did it, so can you. Stay positive, work hard, eliminate distractions, and encourage unintentional failures.

Website: www.claiirephotography.com

Instagram: Creative Juice Visuals / claiire_photography_

Facebook: Creative Juice Visuals/ Claiire Photography

Youtube: Creative Juice Visuals / Claiirephotography