OCTOBER 15, 2016
Meet Redondo Beach Photographer: Christen Webb
BY: VoyagerLA
Today we’d like to introduce you to Christen Webb.
Christen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Throughout Middle School and High school, I always had my camera on me. Every year I would make a poster size collage of all my friends and the amazing memories we created. My Sophomore year at North High school I was the S-5 who acts as the contact between the corps and the media and student publications, so I pretty much captured all the activities that we did. Post High school I was signed with l.a.Models and worked in numerous runway shows. I got to meet and work with tons of amazing photographers and videographers. Although I was always in front of the camera in this business I loved the work the photographers were doing behind the camera. I always asked lots of questions and learned as much as I could from them. Post Graduating College I met my husband and we had our first child. When I was around 6months pregnant I dropped the modeling and put focus on my family. I took my own maternity photos using a tripod and then once my Baby Boy was born I did my first newborn session. Before this Day I had always shot lifestyle stuff and shooting this little baby was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I took my time and learned and took thousands of photos of my little boy within his first few weeks. That is when I grew my Passion for Family Photography. When photographing children you never know what they are going to give you and don’t take direction well at all. From when my son was about 6months old I started my “Business” and have truly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s great when your “Hobby” can turn into your career. The reason why I love photography soo– much is because it creates a lifelong memory. As we age and time passes we as humans forget things, but these little-printed photos, or these days digital images last longer than the human’s life and can remind us of the best times of our lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been easy, but most great things in life are worth the work. Being a stay at home Mom I have had to learn to work around my husband’s schedule or even baby wear my children on photoshoots.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and career?
I don’t know if I would call it Luck as much as I would say Hard work and a right mind. I have always stayed true to my Beliefs and am a good person. I believe I will only be handed what I can handle. Coming from a single family home where it was a luxury to print photos or even have professional ones taken of myself I find it necessary to give back to my community and surrounding Neighbors, so once a month I host a meetup and offer highly discounted Family Photos. It’s truly inspiring for me to give every Family either well off or poor the chance to have Professional photos that last a lifetime. Hope I didn’t go too far off topic.
Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
I treat each client as though they are Family and after photographing them they do become Family. My clients just fill my heart. (Really the only way I can truly describe it)
What do you love about our city and what do you dislike?