Welcome to The Outspoken Artist. I’m Jean Carlo Penaloza, and in this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Garbacz, the co-founder of Studio Ninja. We met at ImagingUSA 2024, and Chris shared his inspiring journey from being a wedding photographer to creating a revolutionary software for photographers. Let’s dive into it!
Table of Contents
- The Artistic Journey Begins
- From Retoucher to Wedding Photographer
- The Wedding Photography Passion
- Transition to Studio Ninja
- The Launch of Studio Ninja
- Giving Back: The Lucky Kid
- The Future of Studio Ninja
- Final Thoughts and Inspiration
The Artistic Journey Begins
Chris hails from Melbourne, Australia, and his journey into photography began as a retoucher at a wedding studio over 20 years ago. Initially, he had no interest in photography, but his talent in Photoshop caught the attention of the studio owner.
“After a few months, I started thinking, wow, these photos are beautiful! How do you do this?”
With a determination to learn, Chris asked the owner to take him under his wing. He dedicated a year of his life to mastering photography, working from 9 to 5 as a retoucher and assisting with shoots on weekends.
From Retoucher to Wedding Photographer
After gaining experience, Chris transitioned to various photography roles, including commercial photography and high-volume family portrait studios. However, he always felt the urge to start his own business.
One pivotal moment came when he made a significant sale while working at a family portrait studio, realizing he could replicate that success on his own.
With no studio, Chris devised a clever strategy by partnering with orthodontists in Melbourne to offer free photo shoot vouchers. This innovative approach generated a steady stream of clients, allowing him to build his portfolio.
The Wedding Photography Passion
Ultimately, Chris found his true passion in wedding photography. He loved the adrenaline, the unique challenges each wedding presented, and the beautiful locations he got to work in.
“Every weekend I’m in a new location, generally a beautiful venue. I just loved weddings.”
His ability to capture not just the moments but the ambiance of each wedding set him apart. Chris mentioned how he focused on getting creative shots that venues would want to showcase, turning his photography into free advertising for himself.
Transition to Studio Ninja
As Chris’s career progressed, he began exploring other business opportunities while keeping photography as a core focus. After listening to a podcast about starting a software company with no money, an idea sparked.
“I thought maybe I could build something simple, beautiful, and intuitive for photographers.”
Chris created a landing page for his idea and sought early adopters, offering them half-price subscriptions for life. To his surprise, 100 people signed up, validating his concept.
The Launch of Studio Ninja
With initial funding secured, Chris partnered with Yan, a user experience designer, to build Studio Ninja. They launched the software in February 2016, but the early days were challenging.
“I thought we would launch and millions would use it, but we only got one customer at first.”
However, through persistence and dedication, Studio Ninja grew to over 10,000 customers in 72 countries, helping photographers manage their businesses more efficiently.
Giving Back: The Lucky Kid
In a heartwarming moment, Chris shared a story about gifting a camera to a young aspiring photographer at a wedding. This act of kindness encapsulated the spirit of his journey, helping others pursue their dreams.
“It makes more of a difference to that guy getting that camera at that time than it would have for me just leaving it in the cupboard.”
The Future of Studio Ninja
The roadmap for Studio Ninja is ever-evolving, with plans for new features aimed specifically at photographers. Chris emphasized that every addition is designed with the photographer’s needs in mind.
“Everything we do moving forward will be for photographers.”
Final Thoughts and Inspiration
Chris believes in creating balance in life. He shared valuable insights about work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of spending time with family and pursuing passions.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Chris left us with a profound reminder:
“People on their deathbed never wish they could have worked more; they wish they could have spent more time with their families.”
To learn more about Chris and Studio Ninja, you can find them on their website and social media. For all things related to The Outspoken Artist, including merch and promo codes, visit this link.
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