Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Keaveney.
Andrea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
While in college, I studied Graphic Design. As part of the curriculum, photography classes were necessary to understand the set up and flow of person and product advertising. Fast forward nine years later and I have a booming photography business and natural light studio. When asked why I became a photographer, there was never a defining moment, I enjoyed taking photos and people paid me for it. Then a few years ago, things completely changed. My business took off and I was actually making something of myself. I began to realize that this job was more than making money; it had a purpose and a great one at that. I lost my brother a few years ago and my life has changed completely. I lost a huge part of myself and was hit with the reality that family is the most important thing in life. I have a picture next to my bed of my brother and me as very little kids. It’s not a great photo but it is one of the most important photos that I have. That is why I do this. Because when we look back, memories fade, but these images last and that photo with the terrible color and resolution can inflict so many memories and emotions with one glance. And to know that I can create those emotions and those memories, makes me feel like a pretty important person.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being a wife and mom of three, family always comes first. Running a business from home and then opening a studio while having three littles at home is always challenging. I try not to overwork myself and limit my schedule so that I can actually enjoy my family. If I had to pick some struggles, it would be that photographers or anyone that owns their own business, you depend on each session for income and it takes a long time to make a profit if you are doing it correctly. I do work a lot but I have the choice to set my hours.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a natural light photographer that specializes in family and couples. I love the art of family storytelling. My sessions are emotive and intimate. The first few minutes of the session, I get to know the family, warm up to the children and feel out the parents. I recognize the true and authentic moments so then I can tell that families story through the camera. I am not a posing photographer and therefor not for everyone, which I am fine with. I love to document the tension, the emotion, the details and the true love of each family member or couple. I use my camera to guide the audience of the images to tell a one of a kind story. Knowing that everyones story is different, why give them the same session or same images someone else gets?
All of my outdoor work is at sunset where I try to find the best light and follow the sun as the session continues till the light is gone. I always say that the sun leads the session and we shall chase it if we need to.
My sessions are super laid back as is most of my work ethic. I truly love my job and I never want to get burnt out, so I can easily step back and try to always find the good in it.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is the perfect setting for any type of session. The diversity in looks from urban to beach to cityscapes in the middle of a prairie; you can walk around for twenty minutes and have it appear that you have been traveling for miles. Every outdoor session that I have in Chicago looks and feels completely different; which to me means that I am doing something right. I never want two sessions to look the same. Each couple or family is unique to them and I want to tell their story perfectly.
Pricing:
- Packages start at $375
Contact Info:
- Address: 327 W Maple St, New Lenox, IL 60451
- Website: www.golightly-photography.com
- Phone: 708-269-9722
- Email: andrea@golightly-photography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/golightlyphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/golightlyphotography
- Other: www.thestudiosouth.com
Image Credit:
Golightly Photography
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