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

Hi Paris, can you talk to us about the impact the Covid-19 Crisis has had on your business.
The Covid-19 crisis is a shock I was not prepared for when starting this 2020 year. This year I had planned to create bigger and better mini sessions, hold more holiday events, and attend more vendor opportunities. However, most of them have fallen threw due to Covid-19. The crisis hit right before one of the biggest holidays for photographers, Easter. All sessions and events had to be canceled immediately. Leaving my small business closed for nearly two months. However, when something challenges me that doesn’t mean to give up instead I have adapted to my new work-life balance. I have taken this time to focus on my family and design work. Giving me time to further my artistic development and create new ways to safely practice my photography once all returns to normal. I have started offering more design services like invitations, websites, and more that I can create remotely. I am staying optimistic and finding new ways my business can improve once we resume full functionality.

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.
I have always had a passion for art when I was little I carried around a camera and documented everything in sight. I had a huge stack of developed pictures that I scrapbooked with special papers and stickers like I was princess poppy. Then I started scanning them into my computer, editing and manipulating them in photoshop. I was probably 10 when I sparked a passion for photography and design. One of my mentors, Megan Ortiz opened up many doors for me early on in life. She helped me earn an internship at the Houston Chronicle, learning opportunities from Adobe, and even helped get my photography published by the NY Times Lens Blog. When I graduated high school I realized that it wasn’t just a hobby and it was something I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. So I started my own photography business while I earned my Associate’s in business. I spent years exploring all types of portrait photography from weddings to newborns and families. After welcoming my daughter into the world I decided to go back to school to complete my BFA in graphic design where I began to further explore the combination of my photography and design elements combined. It is not easy. It is actually the most difficult thing I have ever taken on. At times I have doubts and insecurities about my work but every day is an improvement from the last. So I just keep trying and I suggest that to anyone who wants to follow their passion or start their own business. Just keep trying!

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?
My trip would start in Humble. We would go get some bomb breakfast tacos from Manuels Mexican Restaurant then we could travel downtown. I’ll show them how hard it is to find parking then finally, we will get on the BCylcle bikes so we could go check out Buffalo Bayou and explore all the murals and arts district. We should probably stop at an indoor museum because it gets extremely hot quickly and Houston has tons of awesome museums. My favorite lately has been The Printing Museum! By then we would probably be hungry so I’d say we have to go to Luigi’s because they truly do have the best pizza in Houston. Then on the way home we would definitely pick up some delicious macarons from Indulge Gourmet Desserts. Because you really can’t finish the day off without dessert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support from my family and friends who have encouraged me to continue my passion to continue work and school even with the struggles of a little toddler wrapped around my leg. Also a huge shoutout to all my UH Graphic Design professors and classmates who have helped me learn and expand my skills so much over the past few years.

Website: www.pariscapriphotography.com
Instagram: @pariscapriphotography
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pariscapriphotography/

Image Credits
Paris Capri Photography