Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Robinson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Whitney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a young girl, I had a fascination with art. In fact, at my kindergarten graduation I proudly answered, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with “Art teacher!”. I greatly enjoyed the years of school focused on writing and poetry, and I believe the stars aligned where I realized I could create art all the while telling a personal story through photography. As nice as all of that sounds, becoming a professional photographer wasn’t always an obvious profession for me.
My freshman year of college I was offered a fully-funded opportunity to travel with Mutual Aid International, a medical mission team which brought medical and fire education to Guatemala. Excited to journal and write the trips experiences I was given a camera and the freedom to share the trips experiences. With no technical training or experience in photography projects I was intimidated and energized to rise to the occasion and learn on the job. During those trips, I challenged through the language barrier by taking photos of the locals. I saw how quickly you could make friends by sharing others beauty and story in authentic ways through a camera. The shy children wanted to stick to me like glue once they saw I had the ability to document their faces, many who had never seen a mirrored image of themselves on a screen. To gain experience I began asking friends and family if they would let me take a few photos of them to tune my craft.
In true amateur style I whipped up a business Facebook page where I could feature the images and in what felt like a blink of an eye my calendar began to fill up with bookings of others willing to let me take their photographs. I launched my business during school and worked busy days as a photographer before graduating from Texas A&M in 2016. After graduation, I married my high school sweetheart and went full time with my business. Most days I am in disbelief that this is what I get to do full time. The majority of my work is focused on weddings, graduating students, and family milestones. I am in the sixth year of starting this business and the gratefulness I have for my career and all who support it is immeasurable.
Has it been a smooth road?
Hills and valleys are a part of life. Through launching a business, I have had mountain top experiences where I have physically jumped in excited circles and thought “Pinch me!”. I have also had moments of great insecurity where I questioned my value as an entrepreneur. Any struggle I have experienced has come with learning tenfold and I am grateful for those moments of uncomfort which have given me tenacity, resilience, and grit. I would encourage other young professionals who are trying to figure out if this is what they want to do to personally measure for themselves if their craft brings them true joy, if the answer is yes, stick with it!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with W.Gilmer Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a lifestyle photographer. Rather than limiting myself to one specific niche, I find my creativity is strengthened in focusing on people. That being said, I photograph weddings, high school seniors, the milestones that come for families, and have ongoing partnerships with businesses helping create content for web and social media purposes. Every given day looks different for me, and I love that!
My photography style is one of boldness, joyfulness, and is expressed with color that represents and reflects those which are true to life. That is how it began and how I intend for it to stay. While photography trends come and go I am very aware to staying true to my personal style and focus on offering a product that will be timeless heirlooms passed down and cherished over lifetimes.
I am proud to say that I stay true to myself and find my work to be extremely consistent. It is incredibly important to me replicate the same experience for my clients all while tailoring the time we spend together to be authentic and personal.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What do I like the best? The tex-mex! I love it and frequent the local Mexican food eateries all throughout the town. More than that, I also find that southern hospitality is a real thing. I personally and wholeheartedly pick kindness over cool and cherish getting to live in a location where so many people are friendly, helpful, and hospitable.
What do I like the least? The Texas summer heat can be brutal.
Contact Info:
- Website: wgilmerphotography.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/wgilmerphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/wgilmerphotography
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