Meet Avery Lockridge | Mother, Teacher, Photographer, & Yogi

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

Hi Avery, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m a country girl, born and raised in a small town in north central Texas, I love being outdoors and spending quality time with my family. From a young age, I was interested in art and photography; I also had a passion for teaching, so I obtained a degree in Human Growth and Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology from Texas Tech University.

In addition to my career as a teacher, I am a photographer. I got my love for photography from my dad who was always taking photos when I was younger; my mother is an artist and I credit my artistic abilities to her. With an old wind-up camera, I started capturing moments of my friends and dolls, igniting a fire within me that never dimmed.

In 2017 when I became pregnant, my then husband bought me my very first “real” camera. Every milestone of my daughter’s life was captured through my lens, sparking a passion that grew with each click.

In 2019 I had the dream of starting my own photography business and prior to the lockdown, I had the opportunity to do some Quince photos and Senior photos for a few of my students. As 2020 progressed, I encountered some life challenges; I faced a divorce, a global pandemic, a lockdown, a move, a transfer to a new job at a new school, and single motherhood. My closest family was 5.5 hours away and I knew I was not going to be able to take my then 18 month old daughter with me on shoots and I would not have the time needed to focus on editing photos with a little one. So, my dream of having a photography business was put on hold.

In 2021, my determination shone through as I sought healing through yoga and Reiki, finding solace in connecting mind, body, and spirit. After completing my yoga teacher training and Reiki certifications, I did not do yoga or touch my camera for an entire year.

In 2023, a friend reignited my photography flame, and I found myself behind the camera once more. I felt alive in a way I hadn’t in years. With her and my mother’s encouragement, I took a leap of faith, investing in myself and my future; for my daughter.

I legally obtained my LLC one month after being a second shooter on that session with my friend and my photography business became a reality. Born from hard work, determination, and a deep love for the art of capturing moments; I blossomed as a self-taught photographer.

As I continue to teach and grow my photography business, I am reminded of the joy and fulfillment these passions bring me. To see the smiles on my students’ faces as I capture their special moments is a gift beyond measure. My journey from small-town country girl to teacher, single mom, and now business owner is a testament to the power of following your dreams and embracing the things that set your soul on fire.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What makes me different from other photographers is not just my style but also my personality. It can be awkward trying to be yourself in front of a stranger with a camera. But when the client feels comfortable with me, they can relax and really let their personality shine through. My background and personality help my clients feel comfortable during our sessions.

My parents always told me it was important to be self-sufficient and to never need to rely on anyone else. So I knew that as a single mom on a teacher’s salary, I needed to find a way to make some extra money in order to give my daughter the things she deserved.

I worked hard and taught myself what I needed to know. I’ve learned a lot about technology, taxes, and running a business. There have definitely been some challenges, but I’ve actually enjoyed the learning process. Having an early morning routine of daily yoga and mediation practice has helped keep me grounded during this whole process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I totally fell in love with this city during the pandemic after my divorce. When I moved into my new place with my daughter, it really started to feel like home. With everything going on in the world, I used the time to focus on healing. We started a routine of hitting different trails every morning with my daughter and two dogs. It was our way of getting out, exercising, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Being surrounded by Mother Nature really helped me to heal in ways that nothing else could.

Some of our go-to spots are the Woodlands Waterway, Dennis Johnston Park, and Mercer Park. In the summer, we love spending time at Big Rivers water park and hitting up the local skating rink. This city has so much to offer in terms of activities and exploration, which is perfect for us because we love being active and trying new things.

When it comes to food, our go-to Chinese spot is Hong Kong Chinese, and for fajitas, we’re all about Fajita Petes. And when we’re in the mood for burgers, Hat Creek Burgers is our top pick because of the great food and fun playground. Basically, this city has become our little slice of heaven, and we’re loving every minute of it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few awesome people who really helped me get my business off the ground. First off, big thanks to my friend Casey. She asked me to help out as a second shooter at a couple of her sessions, and after that, I was hooked. She even told me I had what it takes to run my own business, so I decided to take the leap for me and my daughter’s future.

Another shoutout goes to one of my former students, Cristian. He knew I did photography on the side and wanted me to take his senior photos. When I hesitated, he encouraged me to start my business again, saying I could make good money from it.

But the MVP in all of this is definitely my mom. She’s been my biggest cheerleader, listening to all my business ideas even when she’s probably had enough. She’s the one who reviews all my photos before they go out to clients and her support has been crucial in giving me the confidence to pursue this path.

Website: https://averylockridgephotography23.mypixieset.com

Instagram: Avery_Lockridge_Photography

Linkedin: Avery Lockridge

Facebook: Avery Lockridge Photography, LLC

Image Credits
The one image of myself was taken by Casey Davis Photography all other images were taken by me Avery Lockridge Photography.