Photog Life April Featured Photographer ~ Stori O'Foley

2021 Features, Monthly Featured Photographers -

Photog Life April Featured Photographer ~ Stori O'Foley

STORI O'FOLEY

We got to know this talented photographer, Stori, and we are so excited that she is our April featured photographer. Check out what she had to say. 
Tell us a little about you and your personal life. Married, kids, fur babies? We want to know it all!
I’m a Colorado Native and have lived all around the state and have loved every second. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I have a wonderful and supportive husband and a 3 year old daughter who is a beautiful spitfire.
As much as I love Colorado, I couldn’t imagine enjoying this state without some fur babies by my side. I have two dogs, a ton of houseplants, and a shrimp (long story).
What made you decide to get in to photography and when did you first start?
I went to college for theatre lighting design in 2007 and found myself always needing photos of my designs for my portfolio so I taught myself photography. I loved shooting so much that I decided to dive into it further. From there my love of connecting with my clients and capturing life moments grew.
What type of photography do you shoot? What are you most passionate about?
I love all things weddings. Everything from adventurous elopements to large celebrations. I also really enjoy families and lifestyle sessions.
Because of my theatre background, I’m super passionate about creating art with other vendors. I love love love styled shoots. I love thinking of out of the box concepts and trying to create my own trends. This sparks my fire and makes me a happy little enchilada.
Not that this really matters, but what do you shoot with?
I shoot on a Canon Mark IV and R6
What makes your passion shine? What are you most passionate about when you are holding your camera?
Real moments and connecting with my clients. I love walking out of a shoot as friends and connecting on a real level.
I also love when a moment just comes together. There’s nothing more special than watching a couple reignite their love, a kid dancing like no one is watching in the warm light, or the magic of golden hour.
During your journey as a photographer, what has been the hardest part?
Finding a balance between personal life, my other job, and photography has to be the most challenging.
Business wise, marketing. I hate it. I just want to find genuine connections and marketing just feels so forced. I’ve mainly operated off of word of mouth because of this.

I’ve been on furlough with covid so I’ve been pouring a lot of heart and soul into my photography over the last year. I’ve found with more knowledge I have let imposter syndrome sneak into my head and it’s been hard to overcome that. I just keep reminding myself that my art is mine, and art is subjective.
If you were to go back in time, is there anything you would change?
I would of poured as much effort into my business 6 years ago as I have in the last year. Photography was always put on the back burner because of my full time job. But I’m learning now how much it means to me.
How has COVID impacted your business and what have you done to keep busy?
The silver lining of covid is it has given me time. Time to update, market, learn. Time to give my photography the time I’ve always wanted to. On the downside, I really would love to shoot more weddings and there’s not much of a market for that at the moment.
If you could photography anyone, alive or not, who would it be and why?
Oh man. What a question.
Freddie Mercury or David Bowie. I love eccentric shoots and I feel like that would be one hell of a creative explosion. I would love to do a creative shoot for a bio or something.
What kind of legacy do you wan to leave behind as a photographer?
I just want to be remembered for being kind and genuine. I want clients to think of me as a friend and other photographers to look at me as an ally.
What advice do you have for a photographer that is just starting out?
Soak up as much knowledge as you can. Never think you aren’t good enough. Use any negativity as a motivation to get better.
Learn manual mode, ask questions to your peers, and stay humble.
Also, CHARGE YOUR WORTH! Your clients will value you more. I promise.
Thank you Stori! Be sure to follow her below to see more of her work!