Meet Austin Van Zandt | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Van Zandt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I knew when I first started that I wanted to eventually get into wedding photography. I have an eye for details and always love observing them at weddings even before jumping into this field. I believe it was about 6 months since picking up my camera that I really decided if I was going to do weddings, it was time to jump into it. Luckily my wedding photographer took me under her wing and let me learn from her! I knew when I started going solo that I wanted my values of my business to be around my passion for making clients feel loved, comfortable, and ensure trust in them that I will deliver above and beyond for them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been doing photography for about year and a half now and narrowed in to wedding photography a year ago. I love the art so much! I think my personality and care for my clients sets me apart. I pride myself on making my clients know and feel like I am there for them throughout the entire journey. I try to go the extra mile by checking in every month at least on how they are doing and what I’ve been doing on my side for their wedding.

Getting where I am today hasn’t been easy! I am a full time 4th grade teacher on top of photographer so I had to learn work life balance real quick. It took lots of strict timing and learning to stand up for my mental health. Many clients don’t understand that those with a practically 2 full time jobs are doing double duty every day. I have always been a person that never wants to turn someone away but that came to get me one month to the point I questioned if I needed to continue photography. With lots of harsh realities, I learned that I can’t do that any more and have to give myself time to do things I love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the small town of Grandview which is right outside of Cleburne. I’d definitely start out with us going to R&K Cafe in Cleburne for breakfast. The owners of R&K are big supporters of small town life and I LOVE their breakfast food! I think I get something different every time. Lunch time would definitely be several different options because I can’t choose a favorite. Top 3 would be La Fiesta, Barrera’s, or Break Room.

There’s not a lot of night life going on in Cleburne but there are some great shopping boutiques around town! I love to spend a weekend walking around downtown and stopping by the Bus Depot and Red Horse for some great clothes, antiques, and other fun items. Both are locations with many small boutiques set up within them so you will have many options of things to buy. I also love to stop by Breck + Co. for a gorgeous flower bouquet!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Kendall with L&K Photography! She has been my right hand girl since the beginning and has taught me so much. Kendall was my personal wedding photographer and we went to high school together for a short stint. When I first got my camera, she took me under her wing helping me along the way. Kendall is always so supportive and someone I can lean on when I need encouragement.

Website: www.austinnicolephotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinnicolephotography1/