Meet Cori Teeter | Photographer

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

Hi Cori, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Towards the end of my teaching career of 9 years I was feeling burnt out and stuck inside. I was introduced to a friend of a friend that was a photographer. Her life was so appealing. Traveling, spending time outdoors, connecting with humans in ways I had never thought of, and the FREEDOM. Leaning into my creative self has allowed me time to dive into my own life and learn more about myself while building my business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I describe my photography as true toned with a touch of warmth, candid, and nature focused. I love going on an adventure to stunning places out in nature. Elegance in nature is my FAVORITE thing to capture. Booking elopements around the world is my goal!

During my photography sessions I love getting to make clients feel comfortable and provide prompts and poses that help showcase the spirit of the subjects that I capture. I want your photos to showcase YOU!

I am still in the growing phase of my photography business and still looking to find more couples and families that love the beautiful world we live in. Growing my business has definitely had it’s challenges. I’ve consistently juggled photography with full-time teaching over the past two years. I am still learning how to be present with where I am currently at within my business and continue to be 1% better each and everyday.

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 love Phoenix for all the fun places and things to see and do! If a friend were coming to visit, we would be hiking and eating our way around the Valley.

Some of my favorite places to hike: Piestwa Peak, Papago, Superstition Mountains, Usery Mountain Regional Park

Spend a day on either Lake Pleasant or Canyon Lake either paddleboarding or on a boat!

Take a day trip up to Sedona to hike in the Red Rocks. Stopping at Oak Creek Brewery for an after hike beverage!

Favorite places to eat in Phoenix: Blanco, Taco Chelo, The Tamale Store, Two Hippies Beach House, The Stand

Favorite Happy Hour: OHSO Brewery

I’m a big ice cream lover too so I would take my friends to Novel Ice Cream or Churn for a sweet treat!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have two mentors that have helped me start my photography journey! First, Kassidy Hardgrove, @kassidymarieco on Instagram. She was the person that inspired me to get my first starter camera after a short weekend trip to Joshua Tree National Park. At a time where I was struggling to find a career that lit a spark in me she said, “Cori, I think you would be a good photographer!” I was super unsure of myself, but I knew it sounded fun so I went home and the following week I had ordered my first camera. Since then, I have utilized Kass as a coach and have attended her photography retreat in Iceland. She has helped me so much with my mindset as an entrepreneur and is constantly supporting me throughout my journey into entrepreneurship.

Secondly, I owe a lot of my abilities to even know how to work my camera to my photography mentors Nicole Hill and Dustin Damron. They lead the HorizonFound course that helps new photographers learn the foundational skills to take great quality photos. After taking this course I had not only developed more confidence to even call myself a photographer, but also tools in my toolbox to confidently start booking clients and building my business.

I would not be where I am without these humans showing me that my passions CAN be my reality!

Website: https://coritaranphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coritaranphotography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090264540162

Image Credits
All photography shown is my personal work!