Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Lonergan.
Hi Christy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Manhattan, KS, I was fascinated by the world of photography, thanks to my father. He was a hobbyist photographer and I was his little assistant in the darkroom. My journey continued through my local 4-H group, where my dad served as an instructor, deepening my love and skill for photography.
Life soon took me on a different path into the corporate world, but my heart always yearned for photography. It was on a honeymoon in Africa that ignited the spark once again. Armed with a shiny new camera I bought for the trip, I remembered how much I loved taking photos. Once back, I took the leap of faith and founded my own photography business (I had to pay off that new camera somehow!). I knew if I could quit my corporate job and do photography full time, that I would be a “happy chick”. That was in 2004 and since then, I’ve been following my passion ever since!
When I’m not behind the lens, I love spending time with my husband, enjoying live music around Kansas City, and embracing the wonders of nature. Recently, I even discovered the world of beekeeping (again from my father) and even though it comes with a few stings, the awe I have for these special creatures outweighs the occasional “ouch.”
I love capturing heartfelt connections in the photos I take with families like yours. From tender moments shared between parents and children to the love among siblings, every portrait tells a unique story. Life’s most precious memories deserve to be preserved, and I consider it an honor to capture these moments, leaving you with treasured images that will forever hold in your heart the love and joy of family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur, you have to have resilience. Life happens! There are always ups and downs, not only with challenges in my own life, but in my city, country and beyond! Some years the cost of living is high and families just don’t have the extra money to spend on portraits. Also, there are certain times of the year when photographers are super busy (Fall photos, holiday portraits, etc.), and time when it’s super slow, such as when it’s super cold outside and everyone stays in and hibernates).
Luckily I am a planner and know these times are coming. Being able to save money and prepare for the slow months is key. I’ve learned that during the slow times is when I need to get busy with my marketing plan and spending money on advertising, etc. That’s hard to do during the months when there is less money coming in! It’s a struggle, but at the same time it’s a payoff down the road.
There are also things we cannot plan for. I had to navigate surviving the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009, as well as the world shutdown during the pandemic. In the good times, it is essential to plan for the challenges that are often unseen and just around the corner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I specialize in portrait photography, specifically maternity, newborn, family, and high school senior sessions. Over the years, what I have realized is that families are BUSY! They want photos that capture the essence of their family, that won’t break the bank, and that gets them in and out so they can get back to their busy lives.
Experience has also taught me how to work with children to coax those special expressions out of them. From the moment a family walks through my studio doors, I always focus on the littles first. They must feel comfortable and trust me as a friend so they can let their guard down. I also know that there is a short window of cooperation! Once trust is gained, I work fast to get as many smiles and expressions as I can, because once they are tired and done, the session is over.
Newborn sessions are a whole different ballgame! I’ve learned so many tricks over the years to keep the babies calm and cooperative! Since you can’t negotiate with a newborn, all we can do is keep them fed, dry, and warm to keep them happy and that is my focus during each session.
I’ve had multiple awards and achievements over the years, but my favorite is having one of my newborn images on the cover of KC Baby magazine in October 2024!
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is having the freedom to do what I love to do and make a decent living doing it. Becoming a millionaire doesn’t motivate me as much as being able to connect with people and provide them with special moments captured in time that will be passed on from generations to come.
Success is also having clients that keep returning over the years. I’m now photographing high school seniors that I first photographed at their newborn session!
When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like a job. When I am able to interact with others, meet people that feel more like friends than clients, and be able to provide them with images they love and will enjoy the rest of their lives, that fills me up more than anything.
Pricing:
- Digital image packages range from $385 to $745
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.happychickphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happychickphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappyChickPhotography
