From Bavaria, Germany, to Houston, Texas, Christa Rollock’s life has been a journey of love, family, and artistic discovery. After marrying a U.S. Army soldier in Denmark, she embraced a life of frequent moves, raising two children while navigating military life.
Following her husband’s retirement, her deep-rooted love for Houston brought them back, where she transitioned from a successful career in insurance to fully pursuing her artistic passions. A lifelong creative, she explored painting, drawing, singing, and theater before discovering her true calling in portrait photography.
At 58, she returned to college to study graphic design but was ultimately captivated by the power of light in photography. Earning a certificate in digital photography, she launched C. Rollock Photography, a business dedicated to capturing individuality and authentic expression in both personal and professional portraits.
In her discussion with Trisha, Christa shared insights into her approach to photography, emphasizing the importance of personal branding, regularly updating professional headshots, and capturing life experiences with authenticity. She is deeply passionate about building relationships with clients and creating meaningful portraits that reflect their true essence.
With the unwavering support of her husband, Christa continues to pursue her dream, using her artistic vision to tell powerful visual stories—one portrait at a time.
Connect with Christa on LinkedIn and follow C Rollock Photography on Facebook and Instagram.
This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.
TRANSCRIPT
Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Houston, Texas. It’s time for Houston Business Radio. Now, here’s your host.
Trisha Stetzel: Hello, Houston. Trisha Stetzel here bringing you another episode of Houston Business Radio. Really excited about this guest coming by way of an introduction from Uguanda Simpson. Thank you, Uguanda, for the amazing introduction to Christa Rollock. She’s the owner of C Rollock Photography. Christa, welcome to the show.
Christa Rollock: Hello. Thank you.
Trisha Stetzel: So excited to have you on today. Okay. Let’s start with tell us a little bit about who you are and why you’ve ventured into this space of photography.
Christa Rollock: So, um, so my name is Christa, as you said. You know, I am someone who was born in Germany. I moved to the United States because I met my husband, and he was in the military at the time in the army. And so we moved to Milwaukee. We moved all over the place because he was an Army recruiter, and I was always there supporting him all the time, you know, raising the children, being there for him. And so my kind of my professional life took always a little bit of a step back. Right. And so finally at one point, I, um, I started in the insurance business, Life and Health for a long time, you know, and, um, enjoyed it because I am a people person and I like to help people. I like to be with people. So I enjoyed it. But there came a time in my life especially, that was when Covid hit. I, um, I found that because I was always a very creative person all my life. So I always did photography from a, from a, from a young age on, starting with, um, you know, push camera, like the cameras that you just push together to get a picture or the ones that just printed something out. You know, it was from very young on.
Christa Rollock: I did that, and I loved it. And I also loved drawing. Painting. But all of this, you know. Yeah, it just never really came out during all these years following my husband around. And then when that Covid hit, all of this came back to me. It it was like an eye opener. And I said, what is happening with all my creativity that I have? And, um, and so as I took a deep look at what I was doing right, I think a lot of people did it back then, you know, to take that deep look into their lives. And I went back to college. So I went back to college, to Houston Community College and, uh, started with, uh, graphic design, Lightroom, Photoshop and photography. And I learned everything about lighting. You know, how to light a human face. You know how to how to pose them. What light actually can do to a face. You know, when you really, really how it can shape somebody, how the eyes can pop. And I just I fell so hard for portrait photography. And I said, this is it. This is absolutely it. And from that moment on, there was no holding me back. And I started my business.
Trisha Stetzel: That’s that’s beautiful. So for those of you who aren’t watching the video, you need to go to the YouTube channel and see how amazing Christa’s light is on her right now. Because it’s beautiful. You you definitely have a knack for that. And by the way, I am old enough to remember Polaroids and flashbulbs. I’m just saying. I’m just saying. Wow, what a journey. Thank you. First off, I want to say thank you for doing the hard duty of being a military spouse. It’s not an easy thing to do. And moving all of the time and starting over all of the time can be very taxing. So I’m so glad that you’ve settled in and found the love that you have for photography. I want to talk about your motto because I love it. I mentioned it to you before we started recording this morning. So can you share what your motto is?
Christa Rollock: So my motto is every face has a story to tell. Let me help you tell yours because I am focusing on faces. This was always my passion. I went on my mother’s nerves and my whole family’s nerves back then because I always did these close ups. Right? Because faces, they tell a story. They really do. They I, you know, the older we get, actually, the more powerful a face becomes, because every, every wrinkle that we might have, every every gray hair we might have, you know, and the expression, you know, that we have I think that our life experiences can show in a face. You know, and it it to me, it always shows up great no matter what somebody’s life experiences were. But they made us who we are. And I, I want to show that because I think every face is so beautiful, and we live in a time where people think, oh my God, I am not the beauty standard. I am not looking like what I see out there. Right? And I want to tell people that’s not what it’s about. It’s about you. You are special and your image is special. And so that is that is the reason why this is my motto.
Trisha Stetzel: I love that that’s so beautiful, Christa. I love your story. I love your passion for the business that you’re in and what you bring to faces. And it’s can sometimes be challenging or even rewarding. So what are some of the unique challenges and rewards of capturing different personalities on camera?
Christa Rollock: So I think the, the, the biggest challenge is when somebody when you photograph someone who had, for instance, a headshot done before or and it was a, it was a three minute thing in a, in a, in an event, you know, where there was no time to really spend with that person, you know, to find out who are you, you know, well, how is your smile really working for you? Right? And does it reach your eyes? You know, and and so a lot of people come with that notion already. Oh, my God, I look so terrible in front of the of the camera and and my image will look so terrible. So this is a big challenge to overcome. But I feel that, um, because the way I work with people just, you know, really chilling, listening to music, talking, laughing and just getting people involved in the photo shoot itself. It makes people realize, hey, it’s actually great to do something like this. You know, it’s kind of a treat, you know? So this is the biggest challenge. Uh, I think that to overcome the, the preconceived, the way how people see themselves, you know?
Trisha Stetzel: Yeah. I don’t like the way I sound. I don’t like the way I look, all the things. Right? Yeah. We hear it all the time. Um, can we talk just a little bit about just the production? So who do you work with and how do you work with them?
Christa Rollock: So I call myself a headshot photographer because I do so many headshots. Right? I, um, I love showing business people the strengths that they have, the the tenacity that shows up in their face, you know, the, the spunk that they have. I really love that because of the fact that I have been self-employed for so many years. And I think that we need to show, you know, who we are as business people, um, and what we represent, you know, and so that is something that I really like to do. Portraits is just all for me. It portraits is my. Yeah. It’s my passion. It’s that is what I do. So I you know, I always say this, you know as a photographer, yes. We can shoot a lot of different things, you know, we can shoot. Yeah. But where is your passion? Where is your niche? Where is it? Where you absolutely feel excitement. And for me, the excitement is a phase.
Trisha Stetzel: Yeah. I can see that. You light up when you talk about what you do. You have such a such a passion for it. So, Christa, uh, are you in studio? Do you come to your clients? How does that work?
Christa Rollock: So I work in my studio where people can come and have that extended session. You know, where they really get, you know, where they can relax more. And I also go to businesses where I spend time with with people there. And because not every business owner can send their employees to me, you know, so I go to them, I have my equipment and I take the lighting with me and have fun there and just get to know the people that are working there and, and have fun with them and, and create that headshot for them there.
Trisha Stetzel: Okay. Fantastic. Tell me location wise, how far do you go and where is your studio?
Christa Rollock: So my studio is in Richmond, and, um, but because I have all my equipment, I can travel it. I travel basically anywhere, you know, to, you know, in Houston, Galveston. I mean, um, yeah, I mean, it really doesn’t matter, you know, because of the fact that unless it is, you know, out of state, that is something I don’t do. I use I don’t travel out of state.
Trisha Stetzel: Okay. All right. Fantastic. So if someone’s already interested in meeting you and finding out more, what’s the best way to connect with you?
Christa Rollock: The best way to connect with me is by giving me a call or emailing me. Um, but the best thing is get in touch with me, shoot me a text, you know, and I call you back or call me. Um, so that way we can find out more about what it is that you need, because that’s very important to have that conversation beforehand. What is your expectation? What do you want out of this photo shoot? You know, what do you want to show? What do you want to present? And, um, so that way, it makes it already easier to understand a little bit more about you before you even come to me.
Trisha Stetzel: Oh that’s lovely. So I’ll put all of Christa’s contact information in the show notes. If you’re listening or watching, you can just click on the link and get in touch with Christa if you’re interested in having a conversation. So you do a lot of headshots, and I know I may be a dirty word, but what really sets the professional images that you’re putting together apart from someone using a cell phone or even creating an AI image online.
Christa Rollock: So let’s just talk about AI first. Uh, yes, there is a lot of these programs out there. You can, you know, you post so many images and then they put it all together into one. Who is there to coach you about how to how to lean in, how to you know about your smile about is your smile reaching your eyes. For instance, you know, how are you turning your head. How? How do you. Nobody is there to coach you, you know, for that. And, um, nobody is talking to you maybe about. Hey, what would look great about, you know, what do you wear? How about your backdrop that you have what goes well with you, the colors. Um, and, you know, and then the filters that are put on there, this is often not even looking at the person anymore that they are, you know. And so I’m thinking always, if you want to have a portrait of yourself, then why not show who you are instead of having it all that tons of filters on it and really not not, you know, and then somebody sees you and it’s like, is that really her or him?
Trisha Stetzel: Yes. It’s very hard to build trust with your audience if you’re not putting your real face forward and having someone like you really assist in that space can make it so much easier, right? Uh.
Christa Rollock: Yes. I think it’s a it’s a challenge. You know, when you sometimes meet someone and you saw them first on LinkedIn, and it is actually not who you’re expecting to see?
Trisha Stetzel: I agree. Yes, absolutely. All right. So, Christa, what would you say to those nice people out there that have a picture that’s 20 years old on their LinkedIn profile?
Christa Rollock: So, so.
Trisha Stetzel: Well.
Christa Rollock: You know, it’s great how we look 20 years ago. Ten years ago. Right? But I am someone who is very proud of how what who we are who are we’re becoming, like I said earlier, who are we? Right. And so I think that as a professional, you really should. Every year you should have it on your calendar, get a new headshot every year, because that way you have every year an updated headshot. You keep your you keep it fresh. Do you need branding for your website because what you know, do you not just need a headshot? Do you need to know for people to see who are you? What are you doing now? Right. And updated yearly. So that way it’s always fresh content. I think that’s really important.
Trisha Stetzel: Wow. I’ve never heard anyone give that advice before. Get it done every year. And I was thinking back to when we were in grade school. We would have a photo every year. Right. To see, uh, how we had grown each year I love I think it’s a fantastic idea. Can we just talk a little bit? I’m not talking about dollars and cents, but the investment in having good headshots and marketing for your business. Can you talk a little bit about how important that investment is?
Christa Rollock: I think that as a business you look into marketing, right? What do I put out there? Do I pay my Google ad? What do I, you know, how do I what kind of advertising that I do? And you are putting the putting the money in there because you know it’s important. You have to get your name out, right? But isn’t it the same important to also get out how you’re looking, you know, so people realize who you are. They feel comfortable when they are meeting you. They feel like they’re already knowing you a little bit when they’re looking at this headshot. And that is why. Or your branding image on your website. That is why this investment is very important, not just putting the advertising out and putting the money aside for that, but also investing in your, um, in your profile profile is the wrong word, probably. But in your in your who you are. So people get to know you.
Trisha Stetzel: Yeah. Your personal brand. Right. Your personal brand. Absolutely. So important whether you’re a leader for another company or you’re the owner of your business, that personal branding is so important. Absolutely. Okay, so if you could Photograph any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Christa Rollock: So it is not somebody famous that I am thinking of, because there’s a lot of famous people that are very interesting, right? And that have a lot of images out there. I would love to be able to go back and photograph my grandparents, because when I hear people saying, oh, I don’t want to be photographed, you know, then I think about how it is for me. I have no images of them or or the ones that I have are so awful I can barely see them. See them, you know, and I would love to go back and just show their life experience and show what they were about. So it is for my memory, for my personal thing and for the family, for my for my brothers and my sister, you know, so we can look back and see and and see more about them. And we don’t have that. And I think that’s sad. So if I could, I would go back and say, yes, that is absolutely what I want to do.
Trisha Stetzel: I love that. And and each picture portrait, photo tells a story. How important is that storytelling through the work that you do?
Christa Rollock: It’s for me, it’s very important to tell that story because we are so different from each other, and we should show to people who we are. Who are we? And and, uh, not. Well, yes, we can always pretend. Right. But I always like to tell the real story about someone, you know? And, um, because it comes across, it comes across to people instead of, you know, the, the filtered images, you know, that show nothing, uh, the real, the real images have really come across to people and say, wow, I want to get to know this person.
Trisha Stetzel: I love that. So as we get to the back end of our conversation today, Christa, I’m going to drop a fun question on you. Can you tell us a story or a time of someone that you’ve worked with that was really enjoyable for you, being behind the camera?
Christa Rollock: You know, I, I have just recently, um, did a photo shoot for a very interesting company, uh, here in Richmond. They are a veteran owned as well, you know, disability. Veteran owned. Right. And, um, it’s a very and and I learned about this company so much because I’ve wanted to it was a photo shoot that the images went into Forbes and in fortune magazine, you know. And so I wanted to show the business owner. Right. You know, and he was told me, he said, no, this is not what it is about. My company is not about me. My company is about the people that work for me. So my company is all about them. And I loved that photo shoot because it was such a inspiring time to work with them and to see how they are, you know, how they’re working together, how they are, how they really like each other. You know, uh, it’s just I love that photo shoot. I loved I loved it very much. I love to get to. I love the people that I met there. I love the the commitment that he had to his people. I also love the nonprofit organization that they started, you know, um, uh, and it’s just everything was inspiring about them. So that’s just what hit me right off the top.
Trisha Stetzel: I love that. So lots of headshots. Lots of business people. You do personal photo shoots as well. You kind of have it all. Everything all encompassing. Right. Um, how do you find your clients? How do they find you? Normally.
Christa Rollock: So I network a lot, you know, in, in, in, you know, I’m out there a lot, shaking hands, meeting people at networking events, and, um, so people get to know me and then. Yeah, certainly, I, you know, make the connection by phone afterwards, you know, and, um, hopefully also by people referring me then, you know, saying, you know, I had that photo shoot with her, I loved it, you know, maybe you should get in touch with her. So that’s that is what I that is what I do mainly.
Trisha Stetzel: Awesome. I’m so excited that you came on the show with me today, Christa.
Christa Rollock: Thank you.
Trisha Stetzel: I know you got. Yeah. I’m glad that you had fun. So if you guys are looking for Christa, she and I are connected on LinkedIn, so if you and I are already connected, then you can find her that way. You can find her on LinkedIn at Christa dash dash 992675. And her first name is spelled c h r i s t a. You can also find her on Facebook at Sea Relic Photography and her website so you can go see some of her beautiful work is Sea Relic photography.com. Christa, thanks again for being with me today. It’s been my pleasure.
Christa Rollock: Thank you so much. It was so much fun.
Trisha Stetzel: I’m glad you had fun today and that’s all the time we have for today’s show. Join us next time for another exciting episode of Houston Business Radio. Until then, stay tuned, stay inspired, and keep thriving in the Houston business community.
