Clara Trimmer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Clara, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Something that makes me lose track of time and find myself is anything around livestock. Working with horses and riding them to working with cows. It is peaceful and makes me forget about the world around me. Partly why I became a rodeo photographer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Clara Trimmer I am owner and lead photographer of Rustic Banjo Photography. I specialize in rodeo and western lifestyle photography. Additionally, I photograph many other sessions primarily Senior & Grad, family, and elopement. I started Rustic Banjo Photography back in 2018 under the name Unique Photos Photography. I rebranded in 2022 to reflect a more personalized brand. This rebrand honors my late grandmother who had a passion for the arts affectionally referred to as Banjo.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My late grandmother Nell aka “Banjo” was one of the most influential people in my life. She inspired the name Rustic Banjo Photography. Her love for the arts was shared with me from a very early age. She taught me many things in life that I carry with me to this day. Most importantly treating people with kindness and compassion in all instances both personal and professional. I wanted to find a way to honor her and her memory in my adult life. Naming my business after her made me more determined to be successful.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The main thing that this taught me was that hard work pays off. I know how cliché that sounds however it is true. The struggles I have faced in my life have taught me that hard work is important and that If you persevere it will pay off. If you had told me 8 years ago when I started Rustic Banjo that I have the life I have now I would have laughed. It also taught me to appreciate what I have and to never take it for granted. I try to pay it forward when I can.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! I strive to be the same person you meet at sessions as I am when you message for inquiry. I am passionate about connecting with my clients and creating unique personal sessions. I work to have my clients also be return clients and I feel this is best done by creating experiences beyond the photos. I strive to shoot organically and as unposed as possible. This creates more relatable and personal sessions. The photos and smiles are personal and real.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I have many long-term goals with Rustic Banjo of which will likely take a few years to accomplish. The biggest goal I have is to open my own studio space with views of the mountains to use personally and to rent out to other to use for photography purposes. I really would love to pour my creativity into this outlet and to create a western elegant studio space for people to use. My other long-term goal is to make it to the NFR as a photographer. That has been my ultimate dream since I started my business. Photographing the best of the best in rodeo is the dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rusticbanjophotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: rusticbanjophotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rusticbanjo?mibextid=JRoKGi
Image Credits
Clara Trimmer Rustic Banjo Photography
