Meet Carey Miller | Photographer

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

Hi Carey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business was never something I thought I would do or could do! My business started all because my mother-in-law requested updated photos of my family in the fall of 2019. As a child of the 80s, I immediately thought of dark Olan Mills studios. As I began searching for a photography studio, my sister-in-law (who also started her own photography business) suggested finding a photographer who did mini sessions. She explained that photographers would meet families at local parks and take pictures. My search turned to Facebook, where I found one such photographer. We set a date and met her a few weeks later at the local park. During the session, I observed and was intrigued. I have always had a love for photography ever since I was a little kid. That night, as we drove away from the mini-session, I looked at my husband and said, “I think I could do this.”
That week, I dug out and dusted off my old digital camera. I called a few of my fellow mom friends and told them I wanted to try out photography professionally. If they were willing to help, would they meet me at a park, and I’d take family pictures for free. The only catch was they had to post on social media and tag me. I wanted to see how other people responded to their pictures. Three of my friends and their families showed up that night, and I am forever grateful! They started my business. Their photos received rave reviews on Facebook, and I was off and running. First things first, I needed a name. I decided on CMiller3 Photography. My husband, myself, and my son all have names that start with a C. “Hence CMiller3.” (I have since rebranded to CM3 Photos) I created an email address and then put an ad on my son’s school’s Facebook page. I was upfront and said I was starting my own business and needed families to photograph. I charged a minimal fee for mini-sessions. I spent December of 2019 photographing families from my son’s school. Many of the moms were appreciative because they had toddlers and knew what to expect with family photos, so they enjoyed the cheaper price!
Now, outdoor family photos aren’t fun in January and February, even in Texas! So, during those months, I updated my camera and worked on some software I needed for my business. I watched many YouTube videos on editing and owning your photography business. I also reached out to local photographers for advice. Then, everything stopped in March of 2020 when COVID-19 hit. Due to everything shutting down, I thought my business was done. It was my husband who said, “Businesses that learn to survive during COVID have a good chance of making it.” It wasn’t long until I figured out my next move. I happened to be on Facebook one day and saw another photographer was doing a project called #fromthefrontsteps. She drove to people’s houses and photographed them, from the curb, never getting within six feet of them. The pictures and payment were all done digitally. I reached out to her and asked if I could copy her idea. She said, of course, the only catch was my project had to raise money for a local business. She was doing her project to support a business that was shut down during COVID. It was a dilemma and challenge since I didn’t have the correct lens (telephoto) to take pictures from far away. Brand new photographer without the equipment. One of my friends, she knows who she is, told me I had to do it. Just spend the money, she said. It will be worth it. I bit the bullet and purchased the lens.
I immediately thought of Anna’s Mexican Grill in Colleyville for my business. Many families from my son’s school went there, and they supported his school. I called the manager and let them know what I was doing. I asked if they would be ok if I raised money for their servers who could not work since the dining room was shut down. They graciously agreed. Once again, I was off and running. I spent March, April, and May of 2020 driving the metroplex, taking pictures of families on their front porch. Some used it to get a new family photo, while others had more fun with it. By May 2020, I had raised over $1000 for Anna’s staff. It was an experience I will never forget, and I am so glad I was able to help. And, wouldn’t you know it, when things started opening again, people remembered the front porch photographer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is I love to have fun, and I am always open to new ideas! Pictures should be a fun experience. The more relaxed my clients are, the more fun they will have, and the better the pictures will turn out. One of my favorite things about working with my clients is that each one is unique, and they bring their own style to the photos. I’ve worked with different props, such as a family session with a motorcycle and a Halloween session with smoke bombs and makeup!

I got where I am today by working hard and learning from experiences. For example, while I started with family photography, I discovered my passion is photographing high school seniors and doing professional headshots/branding. Today, my business focuses on these two types of sessions.

It has not been easy, and there have been tears shed. In the early days, I may have once shown up to a session without my camera! Luckily, I always arrived early and had time to go home and retrieve it. Being a photographer is hard if you don’t have a camera. There have been learning curves, and I’ve made mistakes. But the trick is to keep going and to keep learning.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the Stockyards. There is always something fun going on, and there are great photo opportunities there. The Stockyards are very unique to Fort Worth.

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?
Many people have helped my company succeed. First and foremost, my husband. He never complained as photography equipment began to overtake our house and the countless Saturday and Sunday afternoons I have been doing sessions with my clients. He has always been my biggest fan.

The HEB Chamber of Commerce, especially Susan Shaw of Shaw Insurance, who convinced me that networking is the best way to grow a business. She was right! The HEB Chamber has been a great source of people to network with and help me grow my business. I have created friendships and have been able to learn from fellow business owners.

My friends and family who have been there for me every step of the way. My mom friends who showed up for me the first night. And my parents, who were my first official clients for my #fromthefrontsteps project. I am genuinely grateful for the support.

Website: https://cm3photos.com

Instagram: @cm3photos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cm3photos

Image Credits
The professional image of me was taken by Kimber Cockerell Photos

All other photos are by CM3 Photos