Today we’d like to introduce you to Cara Totman.
Cara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got started a few years ago following a car accident that left me with a back injury and struggling to work. I moved into my parents and started exploring my old art, Polaroid prints, and cameras. When I was in high school I loved instant film and film photography. It was a brief hobby and I left in my mom’s basement to sit for years. While recovering from the accident I took a digital photography class at the community college where I got more confident with the technical side of the camera. My first wedding client was a friend of a friend who had seen my Instagram and I bought my first DSLR with the deposit. The second year I had a few more weddings booked and I moved back to the Pioneer Valley where I reconnected with an incredible community of artist and makers. I started to bring my Polaroid with me on adventures with friends and my series Western Mass Girls was born. This concept helped push me into more portraiture and fine art work. I started printing my work and hanging it in bars and galleries. When I moved back to the valley I started bartending and waitressing to help afford new gear and support myself. The ultimate goal is to transition out of restaurant work and do creative work full time, but the regular schedule and paycheck have helped me get grounded and form a working schedule. I now operate out of my home and a small studio and have expanded to commercial and branding work.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been so many challenges along the way and I am sure there will be more ahead. I started my business while I was recovering from a life changing event, so I had no credit or cash to spend on gear or business expenses. I have worked my way up little by little and got a website, online storage, new lenses, and better gear. My business was not started with a business plan and a goal in mind. I started by taking what I could get and putting the money back into the business or into my old, well-loved car to get to the jobs. This has presented its challenges, I don’t always have answers and am often winging it! I have learned so much the last couple years by just saying yes and learning as I go.
Another challenge I have faced is confidence in my work and art. Photography is a fairly over saturated field and it’s easy to take a good photo these days, there are so many amazing and talented artists around me. Comparison easily distracts me and slows me down from my practice. I have learned to try the best I can do and not get down on other people’s successes or talent. I love that the community of women makers around me are so supportive and collaborative, it makes a world of difference in the way I operate within my community.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cara Totman Photography – what should we know?
I am a lifestyle, wedding, and fine art artist. I am working on doing more studio work and hanging shows, which is all new to me. Western Mass Girls pushed me to explore that part of my work and also helped me changed my perspective. This concept of the show was a pivot in my education in career and my personal growth. I started photographing women I knew and seeing their response to an intentional and intimate portrait blew me away. Seeing my friends look at themselves with love, empowerment, and excitement taught me so much about the relationship of photographer and subject. When I started out I put so much emphasis on aesthetic and naively viewed my subjects as objects. The experience of someone feeling vulnerable to feeling confident is such a special process. There is nothing more fulfilling to me than helping people see themselves in a way that excites them and trusting me to accomplish that.
It is important to me that my business is inclusive and open to any client that gets in touch with me. I want every person to walk away from a session with me feeling good and excited. I feel like somewhat of a rookie in my field and I am excited to be expanding and learning new things and meeting new people as I go. Getting to know my clients personally helps me tell a more honest and raw story through my photos.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have SO many important people in my life who support me. My friends and family have let me borrow their cars, houses, and time to help me with shoots or weddings. They have showed up to help hang frames or brought food for open houses. I am so grateful to have people who not only support but believe in me as an artist and maker. I am also grateful for my fellow photographer friends who help me problem solve or offer advice and just down right inspire me with their incredible work.
Contact Info:
- Website: ww.caratotman.com
- Phone: 5087374063
- Email: caratotman@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caratotmanphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caratotmanphotography/
Image Credit:
Image 1: styled by Good Lookn floral design Luna Moss
Image 3: Deidre Haim Jewelry
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