Rising Stars: Meet Carrie Fuller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Fuller.

Hi Carrie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How I became interested in Photography.

Photography and the arts were always my passion, ever since high school back in the early 2000s. I had placed many times in local and county art shows featuring my 35mm film photography and acrylic painting. I wanted to pursue a career in art but ended up graduating and pursing a degree in criminal justice at that time and from there I became a long-time employee of the department of corrections- I worked in men’s prisons. Long story short- prisons are not happy places to be- even when you get to go home at night. Life happens, and after 12 years of climbing the ladder in Corrections, I injured my spine severely enough to require 2 huge surgeries (and at least one more to come). Working in a prison, or working at a desk were no longer an option for me. I spent the first year after my surgeries feeling sorry for myself and the sudden change in the trajectory of my life. I didn’t know what I could do because I was so focused on all the things I could no longer do. I felt useless, broken, and afraid for my future. I decided I needed a flexible career that would allow me to take care of my back and still enjoy time with my family. With the support of my family and close friends, I went back to college and enrolled in a digital arts program with emphasis on studio photography.

I was already handy with a camera but I wanted to be the best- and I wanted to know the inside outs of editing. Going to college as an adult and taking classes that you want hits differently. It’s fun. It’s enjoyable. And I ABSORBED everything. I successfully completed all of my digital arts classes with a 4.0 and got abundant praise from my professor @seththomassutton who is a phenomenal educator and cheerleader. I went on to start practicing on my willing girlfriends, having fun posing and trying various lighting and techniques, edits, and presets. And I fell even more in love with my craft. I’m hooked. And here we are today. Living my dream. Doing what I love. And take it from me, what they say is true: you’ll never work a day in your life if you love the work you do.

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?
I have certainly been blessed, and every obstacle has only made me a better photographer and better business owner. Finding time to balance my home life, being a mother, and not neglecting my business has been tough at times, but I have learned that taking time for myself, and for my family, is just as important to the success of my business as having the right equipment, a beautiful studio and happy clients. I started out taking photos out of my home. I emptied out our den and redesigned it, added all new furniture, and purchased photography lighting and backdrops. Now I have a 5-room studio, right on the main street in downtown Alma. That’s exactly what I wanted and with patience and determination, I found it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Lensey Studio, I offer several types of photo sessions. I focus on family, and senior portraits, engagement sessions, and maternity shoots. I love meeting with new clients and being inspired by their vision, then bringing that to life. I like to say I’m capturing moments. As much as I love shooting all types of photos, my passion lies in boudoir. Hush Boudoir is my female empowerment photography business. It is definitely what I am most known for, and what gets me most excited. The response I get from the women I shoot when I show them their gorgeous, sexy, phenomenal selves, that’s what drives me to keep going. Women come to me, not really knowing how beautiful they are, not expecting to be blown away by a photo of themselves, sharing the same types of insecurities that every other woman and myself have felt, and I get to help CHANGE that. They get to be pampered with professional hair and makeup services, treated like a model, and when the experience is over, they will have these moments to look back on for the rest of their lives. A moment in time when they felt as beautiful as they really are. I am the ultimate hype girl, personal cheerleader, and I thrive on helping other women to realize their power and find that sexy part of themselves they sometimes lose track of with careers, kids, and time.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Alma is a fantastic place to settle down or open a business. The small business in our area support each other. The city wants us to be successful. Alma is clean, the businesses that line Superior Street decorate for holidays and beautiful flowers are scattered throughout downtown in the summer. New, colorful murals can be found on historic brick walls, there are many great restaurants to eat at, things to do, and places to shop.

Pricing:

• The most popular Hush Standard session includes 2 outfit changes, access to thee client closet, professional posing, and editing and includes hair and makeup. 300.00 Albums and photo packages are in addition to your session fee. Sessions do not include digital files.
• The Hush Deluxe session includes 4 outfit changes, access to the client closet, professional posing and editing, and includes hair and makeup. This is a great investment if you can’t decide what you want to wear- wear them all, gorgeous! 375.00 Albums and photo packages are in addition to your session fee. Sessions do not include digital files.
• I also offer a Hush Quickie session. This is for the girl who is short on time, short on cash, or maybe wants to try out a boudoir session before making a bigger investment. Like most quickies, it’s fast and dirty. You get one outfit, access to the client closet, professional posing and photo editing, hair and makeup, and 5 fully edited digital images on a thumb drive for a total investment of 250.00 You could spend that much on a mani and pedi, 2 tanks of gas, or 20 minutes at TJ Maxx. Why not invest in YOURSELF this time? This session does include 5 digital files. Additional files may be purchased for 20.00 each.
• Standard Senior Session 1 hour session on location or in-studio 1 outfit 199.00.
• Family Session Up to 1..5 hours shooting time on location or in-studio. This session includes photos of everyone together, as well as photos of mom and dad, and the kiddos. 1 outift per person starting at 249.00.

Contact Info:

• Email: Lenseystudio@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.hushboudoirmichigan.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hushboudoirmichigan?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lenseystudio/
• Other: https://www.hushboudoirmichigan.com/lenseystudio/

Image Credits
Carrie Fuller