Meet Chloe Merriweather | Photographer & Graphic Design Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chloe Merriweather and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chloe, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I am NOT majoring in photography nor do I plan on being a photographer as my career. When meeting one of my clients for the first time they always ask first, “So are you studying photography?”. I am a graphic design major and am planning on using that to become a creative/art director, which incorporates an eye for photography. I really enjoy photography and I feel that if I did have it become a full time career there would be an amount of pressure that takes away from the enjoyment it brings me. Sometimes at a shoot I do get the urge to drop everything and become a freelance travel photographer, but I know there would be many more responsibilities that add pressure. Another fun fact about being an artist, not just with photography or graphic design, is that I have painted three murals within the past year. It was a great experience that gave me insight on another type of art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Consistency, consistency, consistency. It seems so easy, but to me it is the hardest part of building a portfolio. Whether it be posting consistently or creating content on your own for practice you must always make time to improve your skill. As a college student with a separate job from Cmerriweather photography there is little time to squeeze in creative content shoots. I always have ideas flooding my brain but it is the time it takes to set up and plan that is difficult. I have had to push myself to take the free time I do have and put it into my photography. The photography community is so welcoming and continuously helping one another. At times I felt I was falling behind and there will always be others that copy your work. Instead of feeling like I was a competitor, I stuck to my brand and started being CONSISTENT. I started this business because I wanted every senior to be able to have the chance to have a personable, memorable, and affordable way to remember their senior year. I knew too many people that could not afford a $800 30 minute senior session. There were not affordable options in my area so I made one. My whole concept was about what the senior wanted. If it was a sport they participated in or their avant garde style they embodied the sessions were meant to represent them. It then grew from seniors to families and now I have a studio in my garage at home.
 
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am based out of Peoria AZ which is 20 minutes north of Downtown Phoenix, but live in Tempe because I am currently attending ASU for their graphic design program so I have two places to show around. Starting in Peoria before heading out on the road we are stopping at Aj’s grocery to get an iced tea and possibly a pastry. From there we could head down to Bell & 83rd to shop at Arrowhead mall or head over to Lake Pleasant and Happy Valley Rd to do errands up there. Heading south to Tempe you can go through downtown or go down scottsdale rd. I prefer to go down scottdale rd to stop at several shops including the Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons, and Scottsdale Fashion Square. If I am going downtown it is for one of three reasons 1. Photoshoot 2. First Friday 3. Sports game. I have many MANY amazing spots downtown for a session and honestly love when my clients choose to go downtown. Phoenix’s art district Roosevelt Row has an art event every 1st friday of the month with live music, artists pop ups showing their portfolios and pieces for sale. Downtown also has lots of unique restaurants that are a little hard to find but the hunt for them is worth it. There is lots of variation for every craving, one of my favorites to stop at after a photoshoot is Monroe’s Hot Chicken. Chase Field and the Footprint center are great stadiums for the Diamondbacks and Suns, especially with the Sun’s successful recent seasons. I try to attend opening day or the cinco de mayo game for the Diamondbacks. Past Downtown is Tempe and you know you are in tempe when you see ASU’s mascot Sparky and #1 in innovation posters on every street corner. It certainly is a college town. The street fairs Tempe puts on every weekend are a great reason to get out and shop or just explore local businesses. I love to explore the desert landscape, not just the shops and restaurants. Behind my house in Peoria also next to my highschool is Thunderbird mountain which has several trails perfect for a simple afternoon hike. If there is still time, a day trip up north through Prescott’s Whiskey Row, to Jerome in the hills and, then end up in Sedona to hike through the gorgeous red rocks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My very first camera was given to me by my godmother as a gift. It was a kodak that could fit in your purse or in my case my mom’s because I was around 8 at the time it was gifted to me. Up until 8th grade when I joined yearbook for the first time I had been taking pictures of everything and anything just for fun, not thinking anything of it. I joined the sports section and action photos were my first real deep dive into the world of photography. High school came along and I joined as a freshman, sticking with the sports section. As a freshman with little experience I was given the low priority sports, I still made the most of it and found it just as fun as the high level varsity sports. Sophomore year I was assigned varsity football, which was a big jump from badminton. Adam Korman, my yearbook advisor all four years, called me up to his desk in class one day (I remember I thought he was going to tell me to stop filling up the camera card and overshooting). He was reviewing my football edits and was impressed by one photo that he shared with administration. It ended up being on the school’s website homepage. His comments on my shots and skill gave me the confirmation to put my plan for Cmerriweather Photography into action. To this day he refers people to me for their photography needs. I shot my first maternity session and have a wedding booked this year because of him. In the spring of 2019 I had my first client, a dear friend who still supports me to this day. From my Godmother, to yearbook advisor, and first client I kept pursuing to expand Cmerriweather Photography because of them.

Website: https://cmerriweatherphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmerriweatherphotography/?hl=en

Other: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/arizona-high-schooler-creates-mural-to-spread-love-and-kindness/vi-BB1dNYWt