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

Hi April, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
A creative career was never on my radar. I actually went to college and got my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Prelaw. My creative side was always purely a hobby. I even had tons of people tell me to take my photography more seriously. I was determined to never take something I love and switch it to a job. Covid hit. I was working from home at my day job and it was just eating at me that I needed to take my hobby from just that and try and see if I could make a beautiful life by showing people how my eyes see them. I went to my first workshop and then started to slowly adventure out. In 2022, I had health problems that came along and my whole vision just shifted more. I wanted to be able to take time off and not worry about what would happen while I was trying to let my body heal, which then turned to my mental health needing to heal as well. I had my first wedding in 2022 and fell in love. The way that I could use my creative sight and show people how beautiful their day, and love is, became like a new love I needed to follow. My creative side wasn’t allowing itself to be pushed down anymore. Now, I primarily do couples and weddings and couldn’t be happier!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being in the creative world is not easy for anyone. Everyone has their own style and it is an absolutely beautiful thing. But when taking the creative world and combining it with business, it gets scary and hard. I literally use my art every day and people pay me for it. It is AMAZING. But along with that, I have people that aren’t attracted to my certain kind of art and it has taken me awhile to get to a point where I am okay with that. It’s hard to be willing to put your income and life into the hands of your creative mind. We all get into a creative block, or rut, and it is something we have to push past to get to the other side, even more so than people who just have it as a hobby. It is a work in progress and something I am trying to get better at each day, but I wouldn’t trade going into the creative world as my job for anything.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live around Columbus, so there is a lot to do! I always tend to take anyone that comes to town to Pins. I freaking love it there! The whole vibe is just great and welcoming. The rest would be a day-to-day thing. I generally love the Dublin area, and though I have lived here for three years, I still haven’t explored too much. SIP is a great brewery that I would have to go to. The Main Street Bridge has become one of my favorite places, the sight is just completely beautiful, and you can’t beat that. I’m an insanely picky eater so food is so not something to ask me about lol.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Shoutout has to go to my husband, Ben! He is my biggest support and has allowed me to quit the safe day job to spend all my time working on my business. I have asked him before, “when do you think I smile the most?” And without hesitation, the man said, “when you are photographing other people.” He truly understands how much passion I have and how I want to grow my business to make us both have a life we could never have expected. Thank you, my love.

Website: Aprilgraberphoto.com

Instagram: @aprilgraberphotography

Facebook: April Graber Photography

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/aprilgraberphotography/

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