Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Chick.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Six years ago I was a momma to three kids ages 6, 4, and 2. I was 34-years-old and itching to do SOMETHING. My love has always been photography, but I never felt like I could take the next step and be a professional photographer. Then something clicked and I went on Amazon, bought a used camera and some lenses and started photographing everyone I knew for free. I scoured the internet for tutorials and networking groups. I studied the photographs I loved and tried to figure out what they did in-camera. I couldn’t really decide what genre I loved. Initially weddings scared me. Then I had “that uncle with a camera” stand in front of me while I was shooting down the aisle while the bride and groom kissed. I stopped even talking about weddings for a few years after that incident. I dabbled in boudoir photography, but I really knew a lot of mamas and kids, so family photography is what naturally became my niche. In 2015 I had this crazy interaction with a tarot card reader. She told me that in the Fall I would show my work and sell it. I would start some new creative adventure. I laughed, because I photographed families and kids and birthday parties. She told me it would happen. And it did. A month or so later a friend posted on Facebook that she and her family had acquired an artist’s space and were looking to show work of local artists. A bell rang off in my head…I’M SUPPOSED TO DO THIS, RIGHT? She asked me what I had to show. “Um. Nothing. Yet”, I replied. She said, “When you come up with something let me know.” Through a myriad of synchronistic twists and turns, I came up with something. “Invisible ~ the red dress project”. This project aims to show the invisible illness/disease or circumstances that a person can be battling internally. To the average bystander, this person looks “normal”. From there, I was awarded a Women in Film – first time filmmaker fellowship from the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation. I went on to make a short documentary film titled “…but you look so good”. It was awarded the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short. “Invisible” is an on-going project. I’m in my fourth year of shooting for the project and it’s kind of my baby. Last fall I decided to go back to college. I have a psychology degree, but I wanted to see what art school was like. I enrolled at the Community College of Rhode Island and finished my first year last week. Many of the professors teach at RISD or RIC. Many are accomplished artists and it has been worthwhile to learn from them. Most recently, I embarked on another personal project. This one was inspired by an image a friend’s father took years ago. It was of a nipple and two tiny figures were standing next to it. I had no idea what it was of until he explained it to me. That image has fascinated me since. I used that as inspiration and projected my own body issues onto it. I find myself thinking a lot about why the human brain allows us to hate ourselves. Why media and social constructs adds to this.
Since 1990, this conversation in Pretty Woman has stuck with me:
Vivian: People put you down enough, you start to believe it.
Edward: I think you a very bright, very special woman.
Vivian: The bad stuff is easier to believe. You ever notice that?
“Body is a Battlefield” uses military figures and a few construction workers to create a landscape on the human form. I aim to allow individuals to show their bodies to the world while maintaining anonymity, and giving the viewer a moment of uncomfortableness and a moment to reflect on what their seeing and why it makes them uncomfortable. Do they relate to the image? How do they feel about their own bodies? How can we, as individuals, make changes to the way we think about appearances?
This year I moved to shoot mainly boudoir. I share a studio with another photographer. We’re on the second floor of a home that was built in the early 1800s. It now houses five businesses, all run and owned by women. My work, my values, and my passion all run the same course. It was difficult to photograph only families or only weddings, while trying to nurture who I was a person. For me, what I do in this world needs to flow from one thing to another. Boudoir photography is a way for me to help women see themselves as beautiful, as sexy, as the goddesses we are. It’s hard to find that or realize that if you’re living the day to day doldrums of life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not been smooth…I mean, how many really, truly are? Along this journey I went through a divorce. It’s been stressful, for sure. I now live in a single-parent household, so childcare has been an issue. I also homeschool two of my children. My oldest decided to tackle public school last fall, and is loving it. Trying to do the work-life balance thing, making sure my kids get enough of their mama, has been challenging. I make sure to read them each a bedtime story every night they’re with me. That’s our most important together time. We do a lot of camping and I’m involved in their Scouting adventures as much as I can be.
Everyone who has ever started a business knows that the first 5 years can be a rollercoaster. You’re trying to work out all the kinks. Getting your name out there and recognized with your brand is also a challenge. Fortunately, I live in the same town I grew up in. I’m involved in town activities, I write a little bit for a local paper. My kids have been in town sports and activities. People know who I am, which has helped greatly, and I am so thankful for that…and for everyone who gave me access to capture their families, homes, and lives.
Life is full of struggles. It’s just the way life is. It’s important to give yourself some time away from the chaos. It’s okay to tell a client, “No, I’m sorry, I need to spend time with my family.” And it’s okay to tell your family, “I love you, but I really need to do this thing…you’ll be awesome and you can tell me all about it tonight.” Being okay with your choices is imperative to overcoming some of those bumps along the way.
Erica chick photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Erica Chick Boudoir offers a luxury boudoir experience. What does that mean? It means that from the moment we talk on the phone, you have my undivided attention. Oh, unless my child comes running into the room yelling that the ice cream truck is outside or that his brother hit him… Yeah. That really happened. So, from then on, all phone calls are made from my studio while my children are at home.
Boudoir can be a nerve-wracking experience, even for those who are comfortable in their skin. I try to make each woman feel as comfortable as I can. I try to meet with each woman prior to the shoot. I think it’s important for them to meet me in person. You have to be comfortable with the person who is going to be photographing you in your underwear. The in-person meeting breaks the ice a bit, too. This is also the time where I can give you wardrobe and styling advice. Picking out pieces can be so stressful for many women. There are so many options out there…what does one wear??? I can help with this.
In my studio each woman is treated to a complimentary hair and makeup session, while lounging in a comfy studio robe. I like to provide robes because it’s just one less thing to worry about. You’ll also be given a pair of slippers to wear around the studio and then take home. Light fare and water is available. Your favorite Pandora station can be played.
After your shoot, you are presented with a gift card to a local eatery. You can go out and enjoy some lunch, sight-seeing, run some errands, make some phone calls. I ask that you be back between 1 and a half to 2 hours. That is when you’ll have your reveal and ordering session.
I totally understand the need to see your images right then and there, so I’ve made it part of my business practice to do just that.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is knowing that you’re doing everything in your power to live your truth and being happy in that truth. For me, I need to live with integrity and kindness. I need to be doing the best that I can. If I’m doing all of those, then I’m successful. I don’t measure success in monetary terms. Being happy comes before anything else in this world.
Pricing:
- Session fees are $300
- digital and print packages begin at $825
Contact Info:
- Address: 195 South Main Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569
- Website: www.ericachick.com
- Email: ericachickboudoir@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericachickboudoir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericachickboudoir/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ericachickboudoir/
Image Credit:
The Image of Me – Brittany Hathaway Photography
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