Meet Candace Cook-Tarnowski | Photographer and Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candace Cook-Tarnowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always been passionate about photography and when I had my son I started playing around with it even more. I wasn’t really planning on starting a business, it was more of just a hobby for me. I started getting requests from friends to do their photos and it kind of took off from there, eventually it became apparent that I should just go for it and launch a photography business. My thought was that I could spread my love of photography with others, have a flexible schedule and help support my family doing what I love. I’ve been doing on location photography since 2009 and I have loved getting to meet and build relationships with all of my clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is capturing special moments and delivering that artwork to my client. Whether we are doing a family session, a baby’s first birthday or a senior session – I love being able to document those memories for my clients. I like my sessions to be relaxed, I know most people tend to stress out on picture day, but my goal is to make it stress free and painless.

My favorite thing about my work is the relationships I get to build along the way, I’ve met so many wonderful people and have had the pleasure of watching their beautiful children grow up from their newborn session to their high school senior sessions. Now I’m even getting the next generation and I’m really excited about that.
 

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.
If my best friend from out of town was visiting our area, I’d say we’d hit the road and head to the hill country. On the agenda would be floating the river, taking your pick between the Guadalupe, the Comal, Pedernales or the Frio. Some Texas BBQ would be on the list, stopping in Austin, Wimberley, Dripping Springs and checking out the riverwalk in San Antonio would also be on the agenda.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and friends have been there for me since the beginning, they were always pushing me and encouraging me to take the leap and start up my business. Since then, they have continuously been there. When you have your own business, it can be stressful juggling so many different things and trying to keep a good work-life balance, I’m lucky to have a supportive husband and kids that understand my crazy schedule sometimes. They also don’t mind lending a hand when we are creating our sets or running some bigger session series.

Aside from my family and friends, I am so lucky to have some amazing clients that advocate for me and that are constantly referring their friends to me. I also have some fellow entrepreneur friends that I like to bounce ideas off of from time to time.

Website: https://www.eyecandybycandace.com

Instagram: eyecandybycandacetx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyecandybycandace

Image Credits
All photos taken by Eye Candy by Candace