Meet Wendy McCarty of Spartanburg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy McCarty.

Hi Wendy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
As a child, my eccentric need to pose and photograph all my friends earned me the nickname “Flash.” In college, I spent most of my free time developing my film and prints in the darkroom. Naturally, I decided to earn a degree in photography from Gardner-Webb University. I photographed my first wedding while in college, per the recommendation of one of my photography professors. A bride called the photography department and asked if the professor could recommend a student he’d trust to photograph her wedding. This is how I booked my first official job as a photographer! From there, I photographed engagements, weddings, portraits, events and beyond. I wanted to push all the boundaries of photography and see what I could accomplish. In my career, I have been able to photograph many subjects and different types of people. I have worked for large photography companies, ran my own photography business, worked for newspapers and magazines and explored many avenues of photography. I have found, over time, that I thrive as a photojournalistic freelance event photographer. As a photographer, I connect, on a small level, with everyone I photograph. Empathically, I study people’s facial expressions and body language. These are clues to the puzzle of their thoughts or feelings. I want my images to translate my subjects’ true personality. In my profession, I meet all sorts of interesting people. As a photographer, my passion is to document people in their element. I prefer to capture candid, pure images of people being themselves. I currently enjoy documenting these moments for numerous organizations in the Spartanburg area.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After graduating college, I was able to experience the shift from film to digital. It was wild watching the advancements in cameras and technology.  I invested a lot of money in my photography gear to keep up with it.  I still have a soft spot for film, though, and often offer an extra film option for weddings and portraits. Also, I’m more of an artist than an athlete, so it is safe to say you photograph what you know! When I speak to young and upcoming photographers, they ask me about the most challenging subjects I’ve photographed. I always respond that infants and sports are not my forte! Whew! They’re exhausting! The hardest I have ever worked was when I was chosen to photograph the Carolina Panther’s Summer Training Camp. What a career challenge! Luckily, my client loved the images, but sports are not a genre I will often pursue after that experience.  I have also found photographing infants to be a tedious process.  I believe this is because it is harder for me to connect with them on a psychological level, meaning, I can’t logically grab their attention with words, which is how I connect with my clients.  Everyone has their specialties, I guess.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Of course! I am first and foremost an outdoor enthusiast. I adore nature and love to experience the joy of watching others learn and grow within it. I am an avid creative artist. I thrive in the realm of media and the arts and am always trying something artistically new. I enjoy sewing, crafting, and an extensive array of art forms. I have taught enough classes at outdoor summer camps to have earned my camp nickname, “Bamboo Wendy.” I love to work with bamboo and could go on and on talking about it. Infact, my husband and I have just started a business together called, “Carolina Bamboo.”  I even have a bamboo tattoo! Carolina Bamboo is focused on bamboo education and landscape management.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
Oh! I love our public libraries! Spartanburg County Public Libraries offer all of their patrons access to a free service called “Creative Bug.” If you have a library card, you can access the Creative Bug website and watch free creative tutorials and art lessons online. The tagline is “Find Your Creative Bliss! What do you want to make today?” Yes, please! This is a valuable resource for my right-brained personality. A link to this service can be found on the Spartanburg County Public Libraries website at www.SpartanburgLibraries.org under “Learning Tools.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.WendyMcCartyPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WendyMcCartyPhotography

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyMcCartyPhotography
• Other: https://bold.pro/my/wendy-mccarty
• Hosting Site: https://wendymccartyphotography.pixieset.com

Image Credits
Wendy McCarty Photography