EPISODE SUMMARY with CHRISTINA McNEILL
We’re really excited to have Christina McNeil with us talking all about how she’s developed her true style and artistic voice. She is a photographer in the San Francisco area and has really honed in on her unique style.
For those of you that don’t know, Christina is a veteran and has seen the wedding industry from a lot of different angles. She brings a really great perspective today from both her art background, to also being an editor at a prominent wedding blog to also building her wedding photography business alongside that blog.
If you saw the Madonna Inn shoot that she did, then you know exactly the kind of style that she’s going for. When we think about Dare to Develop, we think about daring and taking risks in business and Christina is just such a great example of that.
CHRISTINA McNEILL DARES YOU:
Take a big risk!
FAST FACTS ABOUT CHRISTINA McNEILL:
What do you shoot with?
My main workhorse is a Hasselblad H5X. And then I have a couple of H2s that I don’t really use as much because the true focus on my H5X is amazing.
I also have a Hasselblad 500cm. I have this really cool Olympus point and shoot. That’s been really fun lately. And then digital, I have Canon, but I don’t know where I’m at with that. I need to invest in something else.
What’s your favorite post-wedding or event snack?
A turkey stick.
What’s your favorite wedding/creative pump up jam?
I don’t really listen to anything particular before a wedding, but I always arrive at a wedding really, really early.
I love to get there and have a nice breakfast or lunch before I shoot and just kind of chill my head and not freak out about traffic or anything like that.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of your business?
Hanging out with my dogs, my three great Danes. We live in the city, luckily there are so many amazing off-leash dog things to do in San Francisco. Like we go to the beach all the time. It’s kind of my grounding zone. It’s my favorite place.
What’s the best education you’ve learned from?
I have hired an intuitive business coach earlier this year. I hired an Enneagram coach and it was a 12-week intensive program. We were diving in deep about manifesting what I want, but also knowing my Enneagram number and like how it serves me and when I’m healthy and when I’m making unhealthy decisions. One of my favorite books is The Big Leap. Excellent book. I mean, I think for now those are my huge, huge things.
What is one daring leap you’ve taken in your business?
Moving to San Francisco. I feel like my whole career is a big risk laminate. Everything I’ve done. It’s hard to just pinpoint one.
What is one thing you feel like you’re really great at in your business?
I think that I’m a great photo editor. I think that I’m a good photographer. I think that I have a really great way of talking with clients and I have a great way of just being real with people.
CHRISTINA McNEILL’S RESOURCE LINKS:
Christina McNeill Website: https://www.christinamcneill.com
Christina McNeill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinamcneill
OTHER D2D EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE
We dare you to check out the other Dare to Develop Podcast episodes including 000: Welcome to Dare to Develop where you get to meet your hosts Kristine Herman and Ashley Baumgartner. Also check out our interview with John Dolan, another photographer known for his distinct artistic style.