Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa McCourt.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started nearly 20 years ago when I picked up a camera as a young creative, not fully realizing that it would become the foundation of my life’s work. Photography, for me, was never just about taking pretty pictures — it was about helping people feel seen, confident, and capable of telling their story in a way that connects with others.
The road hasn’t been easy. I’ve navigated the balancing act of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building something from scratch more times than I can count. There were seasons where I felt stretched thin, moments of doubt, and times when I wondered if I was really making a difference. But those challenges shaped me into the leader I am today.
With Houston Studio, I took my love for photography and turned it into a full-service branding agency. My team and I help businesses create scroll-stopping visual communication that does more than fill a website or social feed — it elevates a brand and attracts the right audience.
Out of that same passion for visibility and connection, I founded Kingwood Business Women. I saw too many women struggling in isolation, trying to do it all on their own. I wanted to build a community where women could be supported, celebrated, and equipped with real tools to grow their businesses.
My ‘why’ has always been simple: I believe when women and businesses are given the right platform to be seen, they thrive — and when they thrive, our whole community benefits. That belief is the thread that runs through everything I’ve built, from Houston Studio to Kingwood Business Women, and it’s what keeps me moving forward as both a creative and a leader.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. There’s nothing quite like entrepreneurship to strip away the illusions and force you to face yourself — your weaknesses, your strengths, and everything in between.
There was a season of my life when I was a single mom of three, trying to build a business, raise my children, and hold myself together at the same time. I remember nights when I’d put the kids to bed, sit down at the kitchen table exhausted, and wonder how I was going to keep all the plates spinning. I was struggling with my own mental health, but I didn’t feel like I had the luxury of slowing down.
That time in my life taught me some hard lessons: that boundaries aren’t optional, they’re survival. That you have to protect your mental health as fiercely as you protect your business. That some people will show up with genuine friendship, while others only show up with their hands out — and you have to learn to tell the difference.
I had to learn to treat myself with the same kindness I gave to everyone else, to speak to myself with compassion, and to intentionally chase the things that brought me joy. Those struggles shaped me into a stronger woman, a better leader, and someone who can look another entrepreneur in the eye and say, ‘I get it. I’ve been there. And you can rise through it.’
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m a branding photographer and creative director. Through Houston Studio, I specialize in creating scroll-stopping visual communication for businesses — photography and video content that not only looks beautiful, but also connects with the right audience and converts followers into customers.
I’m known for the way I approach brand photography: it’s not just about snapping a pretty headshot or staging a product. It’s about diving into the heart of a business, understanding their audience, and crafting imagery that tells their story in a way that feels authentic and irresistible. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of creating custom imagery across a vast variety of industries — medspas, restaurants, boutiques, corporate brands, podcasts, and more — which keeps me constantly inspired and adaptable.
That same creativity is at the core of Kingwood Business Women, the networking community I founded. My work with Houston Studio gave me a front-row seat to the challenges women entrepreneurs face when it comes to showing up confidently and elevating their marketing strategy. Through KBW, I’ve been able to not only create imagery for women but also invigorate them, motivate them, and show them how strong visuals can completely transform the way their business is perceived.
What sets me apart is the depth of strategy I bring to every project. I don’t just show up with a camera; I bring nearly 20 years of experience in branding, marketing, and storytelling. My clients and KBW members know that I’ll consider their goals, their aesthetics, and their audience, then create content that becomes a powerful asset in their business toolkit.
I’m proudest when I see a client or member light up because they finally see themselves and their business the way they’ve always dreamed — elevated, confident, and ready to step into new opportunities. That transformation is why I do what I do.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is building community and creating spaces where women in business feel fully supported. I know firsthand how isolating entrepreneurship can feel, and I never want another woman to think she has to figure it all out on her own. Through Kingwood Business Women, I’m passionate about making sure resources, opportunities, and encouragement are always at their fingertips. I want women to feel confident that they are exactly where they need to be, surrounded by others who truly understand the journey.
Equally important to me is my family. I’m a mom first, and spending intentional time with my family grounds me. Traveling with them — whether it’s a big trip or a simple getaway — is where I feel recharged and reminded of why I do the work I do.
At the heart of it all, what matters most is connection: connection to community, to my family, and to the experiences that remind me what joy feels like. That’s the foundation I build everything else on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.houstonstudio.com & www.kingwoodbusinesswomen.org
- Instagram: @houstonstudio_ & @kingwoodbusinesswomen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houstonstudiotx & https://www.facebook.com/groups/kbwcommunity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HOUSTONSTUDIO & https://www.youtube.com/@kingwoodbusinesswomen
Image Credits
all photos are mine and taken by me.
