Today we’d like to introduce you to Alleigh Chrzan.
Hi Alleigh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have had a camera in my hand for over a decade. I was always lucky enough in high school to have a parent with a nice DSLR camera taking photos of our teams, but when I would go to my brother’s games, I noticed no one ever took photos. I asked my parents for a Canon T3i for Christmas & immediately started photographing. I would take photos of sporting events, my family events, nature, and basically anything that would let me snap my camera at it.
When I got into college it got more serious. I was purchasing upgraded lens, watching videos on how to use my camera, and of course, still photographing as many of my brother’s now college basketball games as possible. I easily have over 300,000 photos of him playing.
Luckily when I got out of college, all my jobs were surrounded around content creation & photography. From photographing men’s fashion to apartments and now food, photography never left my side.
In 2021, a family friend reached out and asked if I would photograph their intimate wedding. They loved how I edited my photos, which is very light and airy, and while it would be only their closest friends & family, they still wanted those memories to look back on.
Now mind you, I had photographed graduating seniors, maternity, and engagements, but weddings were a complete mystery to me. Luckily, when I told them I had never taken a wedding on before, they did not care, they just wanted me.
After that, I decided to create a business out of it. After a few months of setting up my website, socials, and business ordeals, I was legit. It was slow at first, but through word of mouth & social media, my calendars were booking up!
Now, my weekends are spent photographing families, newborn babies, engagements & of course, weddings!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is ever smooth, even with over 10 years of experience. I had to teach myself how to start a business from the ground up. I had to find a website that worked best for me + my clients, how to set up business accounts for my financials, create legal contracts, and of course, balance a 9-5 job, personal time, and this new business of mine!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer from Kalamazoo, MI but have clients all over the state & surrounding states! I have a very light, colorful, and feminine editing style. I specialize in life moments- big & small. I love to photograph families, engagements, and life events & helping businesses grow through personal branding.
I am extremely family-oriented & outgoing, so when you book a session with me, I do everything I can to make your loved ones feel comfortable, I am not afraid to do the silliest of things to make your children laugh, or take all the time we need to make your time with me worth it!
What I am most proud of is taking a chance on my passion. I have worked so hard to start this business from the ground up & to see it thrive is truly amazing! There is a lot of growth still to be had, but I am so happy I took a risk!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned with photography is that I have to adjust. If a child wasn’t cooperative during a session, the shot I wanted to achieve just isn’t working out, or the sun was a little too harsh when I thought it wouldn’t be, I have taught myself to not get frustrated and mad, but to adjust and stay positive!
I have saved myself many hours of being down by adjusting my mindset and the way I look at things & in the end, things probably worked out for the better!
Pricing:
- 30-minute Sessions- $150
- 1-hour Sessions- $250
- Engagement Sessions- Start at $400
- Graduating Seniors- $500
- Maternity & Newborn sessions- Start at $300
Contact Info:
- Email: alleighchrzanphotography@gmail.com
- Website: https://alleighchrzanphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alleighchrzanphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alleighchrzanphotography
