Meet Cari Daus | Family photographer

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

Hi Cari, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was always brought up to pursue what I love and was encouraged by my parents to also get a college education. At 18, I knew I wanted to stay close to my friends and family in West Texas and went to Texas Tech but I had no idea what I wanted my career to be. The only passion I had was photography and art so I went to college for Fine Arts in Photography. Once I graduated in 2009, I started working at a kids studio to learn more about posing and to see if I liked children and I DID but I knew I didn’t want to work under that studio forever. Before I could have my own business I would have to be gone from that studio for at least two years. One of my coworkers that I met at the studio introduced me to her mom that was hiring at an insurance company and she hired me! While I was there I met my husband, got married and had my first baby. I was struggling so hard at that time, trying to get my small business started, being a mom and working at a job that I wasn’t passionate about. When I received news that I was pregnant again, I explained to my husband that I wouldn’t be able to do it all and would need to quit my full time job if I truly wanted to pursue my dream. By this time, my parents lived only 10 minutes from us and persuaded both my husband and I that we can do this and that if I was to quit, my photography business would expand so much. It’s been 3 years now that I quit my job and started my full time photography business and none of us look back now. My business has flourished and I cannot wait to see what the next chapter will bring. Even at 37, my parents are always there to help us in any way possible.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a children’s photographer striving to make those sweet kids laugh as hard as I can in front of my camera and to make it fun. I am good at being goofy with them but also getting those sweet smiles that everyone wants. I offer a different type of photo mini almost every month. My minis range from 4th of July, Santa, Back 2 School and so much more.

I still have challenges trying to make my life equal with family, small business and being a friend, but it’s easier since I love what I do, who I am and how much I have to love. My photography business is not just a side photography mom gig but my full time job to make a living.

So, if you are pregnant with your first or you are a grandparent with 20 grandkids, I would love to meet you to start capturing all those sweet chapters of life. I will not be just your family photography but I will also become your friend.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

When my best friend comes to visit, I would love to go walk Main Street Grapevine, go shopping in all the little stores, go chat at RE:defined coffee, walk Grapevine Botanical Gardens, lunch at Harvest Hall and then finish with dinner outside at Esparzas.

I have lived here (10 years) and I still have not been to Six Flags so I would take her there with our kids to have fun for the day and to ride the fastest rides. If they don’t want to do that, we can always go to the aquarium instead.

Since it’s summer and hot, I would take her to the Little Elm Beach or The Cove to cool down too.

And lastly we would go to Legacy Hall one day, have lunch at the foodcourt, listen to live music, go shopping again and end with more food at Earls Kitchen.

There is always something going on here and so if there is a baseball/basketball game or concert (especially country) going on, we would try to get tickets to go!

We will also just chill too as I am getting older and need to have some calm time as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I truly would not be where I am without my husband cheering me on, taking care of our kids while I work 80 hours a week and loving me on my cranky days. Jesus holding my hand when I am driving to my sessions and praying over my clients. My parents are always ready to help when I have sessions or need that extra encouragement boost. Lastly, all my friends that come to me and who tell their friends how fabulous I am! My best friend, Stephanie, is always helping me late nights and making sure my edits look good and staying up to date in the photography world. I have so many cheerleaders on my side that help me keep going and I truly appreciate it all!

Website: https://www.carideneephotography.com/

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

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