Meet Carrie Washburn: Carrie Cathleen Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Washburn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been taking photos as an amateur for awhile. Along the way, I entered photo competitions…. Some local and some international. I received really good responses in those competitions so I figured I would start marketing and selling my prints.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m the owner and photographer at Carrie Cathleen Photography located in the mountains of Colorado… More precisely, Carbondale. We offer equine, sports, pet, and nature photography as well as senior portraits (with or without your favorite pet), and newborn sessions in addition to the sale fine art prints of wild mustangs, western lifestyle, equines, rodeos, and nature. We can travel to a location of your choosing or you can come to our studio/ranch in Carbondale. As with most, there were definitely challenges along the way. The hardest being that I absolutely hate talking about and promoting/marketing myself. That is something that I work on everyday. I find that, like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I’m still not great at it, but I try. Although I haven’t entered in a couple of years, some of my proudest moments were receiving nominations and Honorable Mentions from The Black and White Spider Awards and the International Color Awards. These competitions have thousands of entries from across the globe so to make the cut is always an incredible achievement.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s a wee bit tricky with COVID but I definitely would take them to Sand Wash Basin outside Maybell, CO and Cameo, CO just outside Grand Junction to see the wild mustangs. If things were “normal” I’d offer up an Av’s game. The last time we went it was A-Mazing! So much fun! My other favorite place is the Denver Botanic Gardens! Anytime of year, they are fabulous! And dinner or drinks in LoDo is always fun when you’re in the city! Living in the mountains and being just outside Aspen, I always thinks it’s fun for friends to experience the ambiance that is Aspen. It’s definitely worth the trip up to ski or shop or dine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That’s easy, but long. I don’t think there is one person or group. Along the way I have had many people offer support a little at a time. It’s amazing how a kind word about your work inspires you do more! My boyfriend, Randy, has by far been the biggest personal support on a wild and challenging road. He is always there to help hang exhibitions or tear down. And when I get to a point of doubt, he is there to lend an ear and offer encouragement. One of the first people to influence me is a photographer named James Parker. He’s a horse show photographer that, as a kid, I always wanted a photo of my horse and I from. Somehow he always captures energy and personality in his photos… They always tell a story, and are just beautiful! There are also various photographers and groups on Facebook that have inspired me and given me the confidence to pursue my photography as a profession.

Website: www.carriecathleenphoto.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carriecathleenphotography
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carriecathleenphoto
Other: Galleries and stock photos: gallery.carriecathleenphotography.com
Email: carriecathleenphoto@gmail.com

Image Credits
Carrie Cathleen Photography