SBCC Photo Interviews
From Families to Fuzzy Friends, Cattis Edén Celebrates Them All
Cattis Edén
Families to Fuzzy Friends
After graduating from SBCC, what did you do to start your career?
Well, I think I did what we all did in the beginning, I took on all photo assignments coming my way. I was just so happy that I finally got to work as a photographer! To start, I did a lot of free photoshoots to strengthen my portfolio and to stay active because I didn’t have that many bookings during my first few years.
After these years, I started to narrow down the shoots I would accept, choosing the ones I loved doing and those that were more within my niche.
I also worked on finding companies and people whom I could collaborate with in a way we could help each other out by spreading the name of our companies and services. This is something I still do and really enjoy doing. A lot of these people are returning clients and also good friends today. This is one of my favorite and best ways to market my company.
How are you marketing your business?
I would say that most of my marketing is through social media like Instagram and Facebook but also a lot of it is through physical interactions when I’m out and about meeting people and clients. This year I’m actually trying out the good old “flyer.” I would love to do more photoshoots with animals. So, I have contacted stores and people in the animal industry like hair trimmers, educators, specialty shops, etc. where I show my flyer. Hopefully, this will put me in contact with my dream clients. I am also considering placing ads in the local newspaper as I live in a smaller town.
Which details do you believe make the best photographs? How do you go about focusing on them in your work?
Doing what you love and are passionate about, for sure. For so many years I photographed everything from here to there but in the last couple of years I narrowed it down and I do more of what I love doing and that definitely shows in my work. This also results in more photos for me to show in my marketing which strengthens my brand and hopefully helps my dream clients find me. Also, it’s easier to become really good at something if you choose one or two things that you want to photograph than if you want to be the best at several genres. If you want to educate yourself on a regular basis, market yourself, or have the proper equipment for all these genres, time will never be enough, as with money.
What research do you do before a shoot?
Well, I think I do what a lot of us do, we hit that Pinterest app. I also go on the Internet or find inspiration on Instagram. I follow a lot of accounts/people/companies who are not photographing within the same genre as me or not even within the photography business but I like their way of shooting or their craftsmanship. Sometimes I look through books I’ve bought. 
And I always scout new locations to have good spots to take my clients to, depending on if they like the ocean, greeneries, or more urban locations.
Sometimes I head out the same week to check the light and to see that the spot is still good. The beaches, for example, in the fall and winter time here in Varberg can change rapidly. They can be gorgeous one day and covered in seaweed the other day. I also have a meeting with the client before on the phone, through email, or in person to interview them about what they are expecting from the shoot if they have preferences or questions, and also to make them feel comfortable since a photoshoot is a big deal for most people. I want them to enjoy it and come to the shoot excited!
What advice would you give to budding photographers?
Just go for it! As cliché as it might sound but if you love doing it, just do it! Be prepared to work your butt off and find a partner who is OK with a lot of alone time and late dinners or even eating alone LOL. Well, maybe not that drastic but be prepared to invest a lot of your time the first couple of years and have people around you that believe in you and who support you. I’m beyond grateful to have the best partner and family who supports me 24-7 and who whenever I have a down period or question myself they always support me and push me to keep moving forward.
So if you have something that you’re excited about and love doing, just do it! And if you have any questions you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and my website and I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. I still question myself every day and I still feel like I haven’t made it but we all do that. That’s just a part of the process. 🙂
