Meet Christina Beaulieu | Photographer & Tarot Reader

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

Hi Christina, what do you attribute your success to?
The people. I love working with my clients and building my portfolio by collaborating with them.They say it takes a village to raise a child and I think it takes that and more to sustain a successful business. For my business to thrive and grow, I deeply rely on my network of wonderful individuals who refer me to friends and family, who share my photography on social media, and who look to me first for their business or personal needs. It’s truly an honor to work alongside them. One of my friends loved her headshots so much she referred her mom for a glam photoshoot. It was so much fun I honestly forgot I was working. This is what ultimately keeps me going: the joy of working with others to create the photoshoot of their dreams. Or when it comes to reading tarot, my joy comes from helping them reach clarity surrounding their questions and leave feeling empowered. Both are incredibly collaborative experiences that truly make work feel like fun. Either way, I have my clients to thank for my success!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a freelance photographer and intuitive tarot reader. I started two businesses a few years ago-both sort of on a whim-but my impulsive spurs of creativity are usually my best and most fruitful ideas.

My photography business was born out of two things: my passion for style, makeup and fashion and an intense love of the beautiful femmes in my inner circle. I modeled for years for photographer friends, but I told my partner one day I never really enjoyed it. I prefer to be behind the scenes, rather than the center of attention. I’m confident in my looks but I knew so many people I considered far more beautiful than me that I wanted to work with. Without a strong plan, I asked my instagram following one day if anyone wanted to collaborate and model for me. My best friend volunteered and we drove to Angels Stadium for an impromptu ballpark photoshoot. The end results made us beam and she emphasized my natural talent. With the help of my boyfriend, I began exploring camera options and learning about lighting, color grading, editing, posing and fashion. From there everything sort of took off. Once I shared my photoshoot with my friend I had an outpouring of women who craved the soft feminine touch I gave every photo. I began recognizing that women really want and need other femmes to shoot them.

As my clientele grew, I collaborated on taking headshots for my friend Amani who requested headshots for her therapy practice. She absolutely loved her professional headshots, so I was beginning to understand I could expand my portfolio beyond fashion shots. What stood out to her, and later her mother who I did a glam and fashion shoot for, was my level of empathy and understanding during the process. Both women left feeling so empowered and they noted that several times. My best friend felt the same, but it wasn’t until I collaborated with my client Athena that I realized the impact a female photographer has on other women and femmes.

Athena volunteered to do a princess/soft feminine themed photoshoot in the woods in Simi Valley with me one day. My idea was that the beautiful soft lighting in the forest would allow for dreamy and romantic photos. She found a perfect baby pink dress that billowed in the wind. When we were done shooting she remarked how much she loved even the raws and told me she had only ever been shot by men and she always felt highly sexualized but none of her beautiful features were emphasized. Athena told me there was a weight lifted off of her as a model to see her potrayed the way she wanted to be. This has become my philosophy as a photographer. To empower women and femmes to feel exactly as they are with no pressure to perform traditional femininity.

It hasn’t always been a bed of roses though. Sometimes clients are tough, and they demand a lot out of you as a creative. You really need to know your boundaries and stand firm in them. The hardest call for me is saying no to a project. Knowing and learning my value and worth really helps me find the right clients to work alongside, and when I do, I find the results are magical. Also, it’s good to know your limitations as a business owner and artist. I shot my first wedding last year and while the family really loved the results, I was not fully proud of my work. I did not prepare fully and really could have used a second shooter. I learned the hard way to know when I need to take breaks, plan better, and ask for help. Sometimes us entrepreneurial types don’t always know when to delegate. It’s a learning curve though and I give myself grace and tell myself not to dwell but to learn and grow from the experience.

My tarot business is super similar in how it came about. My friend gave me my first deck and I began reading for friends and family. I felt immediately I had a natural ability. I was an English major at UCI and I think it really helps me write a narrative for clients and give them the answers they need. Being able to flip someone’s perspective on their lives from negative or anxious or meaningless, to incredibly rich, meaningful, and in their control is incredibly empowering. I’ve read for so many people I’ve lost count. I can truly say, along with photography, that I would do it for free. I don’t love overcharging and my philosophy is always to have clients work with me rather than have me function as an expert. The more I listen and ask the right questions, the more I can get down to the core of what is holding the client back from moving forward with a decision or even their lives.

I find a lot of tarot clients come in seeking a magic solution to their issues, but they leave feeling like they have a multitude of options and opportunities ahead of them. I think what sets me apart from other readers is not only do I put the power back in my clients hands, I never force a spiritual narrative-especially on skeptics. Too many readers feel the need to put a lot of mysticism behind the act of reading tarot, but tarot is a tool and a guide. It’s my preference if I don’t see a client often because that means I gave them the tools they were seeking to not be dependent on the craft-or myself. Being an ethical reader is my top goal.

My only main issue with reading for others has been again, knowing boundaries with what I can offer. Some clients do want a magic bullet to stop their issues in their tracks. They hope I am psychic or that I can help them force a situation that just is not working for them. But I am always truthful and I let them know my limitations. I am highly in touch with spirit and intuitive, but I will never claim to be psychic or know more than the cards and my own discernment can tell me. I think some clients have walked away a little disappointed I did not tell them what they wanted to hear, but that’s okay because I learn from this, as the main takeaway for my clients is a great experience. I always ask for a review and try to learn from anyone’s critique, but I recognized a while back I can’t make everyone happy and that’s okay. Most of my customers are satisfied, and walk away feeling freer, lighter and stronger.

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.
Oh my gosh where do I begin? I’m an LA native, born and raised. There are so many fun spots to explore!

I’d say let’s start early on Monday and get a coastal hike in around Malibu-maybe Escondido Falls trail. You can’t beat the California coastline in the morning. It won’t be as crowded in the AM and by the time we’ve reached the view of the ocean, my friend would be hungry and ready for some coffee and breakfast at Dogtown Coffee in Santa Monica. Then we can explore the shops and walk around the beach. A good beach day is essential in Los Angeles. Personally I love love love Cha Cha Chicken for lunch. Then as the day carries on if it feels too touristy we can head towards Larchmont Village to head to Erin McKenna’s Bakery or Salt N Straw for dessert. I also may need another coffee from Go Getum Tiger. Of course driving around all these areas we’ll hit traffic, which I why its fun to plan a stop an essential stop at IN-N-OUT if we get hungry again.

Tuesday we definitely have to head to Griffith Park and observatory, or catch a baseball game at Dodgers Stadium. Both can be a little crowded but not much is as fun as sitting field-side with a beer and a dodger dog (or a vegan dog). If my friend prefers though, the observatory is gorgeous at night-I love the city of stars. If we want a nightcap, I love to dance and hang at a bar in Silver Lake called The Short Stop.

Wednesday we can plan a movie night at Hollywood forever or see something at the Glendale AMC. The Americana is a really fun mall for newcomers to shop day or night, plus there is a ton of delicious restaurants like Din Tai Fung and Frida.

Thursday and Friday if my friend wants to be a little more bougie we have some of the best spots for eating and living large. I love Perch in DTLA, it’s a rooftop restaurant that serves delicious cocktails and French cuisine. The view is relaxing and there is usually live music.

And we have to go dancing again! I personally love Mama Shelter or Good Times at Davey Waynes for a groovy vibe if we’re sticking to Hollywood. For a more extravagant club, I adore the Edison in DTLA. I had my 27th birthday there and it was a blast. It’s a speakeasy style underground bar and club in a preserved 1930s building equipped with “Green Fairies” and burlesque dancers. Such a blast.

Saturday and Sunday we could hit up some museums like the MOCA or the MONA. I also would love to drag them to the Hollywood Bowl. Sometimes they have the most relaxing and delightful classical concert nights. They allow your own food and drink. It’s quite a vibe. And if they aren’t too burnt out from all the luxury, I recommend a trip to Universal Studios. The kid in me really enjoys the Despicable Me part of the park and the giant Simpson’s donut. But maybe if she needs to wind down we can hit up Burke Williams spa, and have some delicious Mexican street style tacos.

There’s just too many good things here!

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?
I can’t thank my friend Amani Chambliss enough for her unwavering support in all of my endeavors. She is a wonderful friend and professionally a top notch therapist. When I first started reading tarot I offered low rates or free readings for friends to help build a clientele, and Amani immediately took to the idea, worked with me, and tipped me generously for my efforts. She also recommended a friend who became a consistent client for quite some time. When I began taking portraits she became one of my first clients again and recommended her mom after our shoot. Working alongside her makes me feel so strong and validated. I can’t thank her enough.
I also feel truly blessed by my loving partner, Jacob Geimer, who taught me nearly everything I know about photography. Jacob is a talented and seasoned film director so he was excited by my idea to start my own photography business. Whenever I needed he loaned me lighting equipment, camera lenses and other gear to make my projects come to life. His advice, friendship and undying support means everything to me.

Instagram: chrissay123

Image Credits
Christina Beaulieu