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As a Nashville-based photographer, Clarksville native, and Airbnb Experience Host Leader, Christy Hunter knows all of the most photogenic spots in town.
That’s what makes her the perfect CEO and founder of Photowalk Nashville—a tour of the Gulch that’s led by a professional photographer who guides you to fun photo spots to snap Insta-worthy images. Perfect for bachelorette parties, tourists, locals, influencers, groups, and couples, these tours are a great way to curate a Nashville social feed filled with beautifully photographed memories.
“I started a photography business about ten years ago with portraits, weddings, and fashion being my primary focus,” she says. “As I was out and about working with clients and finding locations, I saw the increase in tourists coming to The Gulch to take photos at the murals. I began to develop an idea that I could create an experience for them that would provide them with more than just a cell phone shot. I wanted to be able to show them Nashville through my eyes, and also do a real photoshoot with them, capturing memories they would always value.”
She sat down with us to talk about the business, her Airbnb partnership, and some favorite photo op stops in Nashville.
Nashville Lifestyles: How did you become an entrepreneur?
Christy Hunter: I had four children in my 20s and early 30s and homeschooled [them]. Then after my youngest was born, I started to take an interest in photography. I always had a camera, but the craft of digital was really becoming interesting to me so I bought my first DSLR and 50mm lens and started shooting everything. That led to the early years of mostly weddings, couples, families—really whatever came in. After a few years I realized that creative portraits were where I thrived. Once Instagram started, I got into the photography culture on there, and ended up going to my first InstaMeet, which is a meetup of photographers and models. I found a close community of people I started shooting with. Then I started reaching out to designers and asking if I could pull their pieces for styled shoots. That led me to working with Nashville’s top designers like Any Old Iron, Eric Adler, Truly Alverenga, and Rank and Sugar, as well as models and makeup artists. I applied to be press for events like The Dove Awards, The Music Biz Conference, and Nashville Fashion Week. I would post the pictures and tag the people and brands in them. The progression was very natural. In 2018, Photowalk Nashville launched, and the focus there was gradual. Now I almost only take on Photowalk shoots, but I still love doing creative projects and becoming more of a travel resource and Nashville insider, and I still love to cover events. I am so happy to have the freedom that the entrepreneur life brings.
NL: How do Photowalk tours work?
CH: We have a select team of talented photographers who take you to the best spots in The Gulch. It’s a curated shoot where we have certain spots chosen along the way. This isn’t where you can just choose anywhere in Nashville to go have a photoshoot. Once you book it, you get a very detailed confirmation email with all the instructions and meeting point. We’ve even partnered with Earth Rides, a Tesla rideshare company that can pick you up at your location to drive you to your shoot. You can also have a champagne finish on a private rooftop for an ultra-glamorous time. For Nashville locals, it’s a great way to have an easy and fun photoshoot to update your business or social pics, or to celebrate a special occasion. Bachelorette parties from all over come to get those Insta-worthy shots without having to have a designated picture taker from their group; also, we give lots of posing tips for that curated look. We’ve launched a blog with all our recommendations on where to eat and things to do in Nashville as well, and while you’re with us, we give even more personalized tips for your stay. We even have a dog friendly option where you and your fur baby get pics together at the cutest spots. We are literally everyone friendly, all are welcome, and we’ve had people from all over the world, from all walks of life—so much diversity and cultures, and we love it!
NL: Talk a bit about your Airbnb relationship and how that came about.
CH: One late-night editing session in 2018 I got distracted dreaming of a trip to Europe and was on Airbnb.com. I had never even stayed at an Airbnb. Then something caught my eye on their website: There was a photographer in Paris who was taking photos of a couple in front of all the iconic places there. I got goosebumps and thought, “That’s me! That’s what I’m supposed to be doing in Nashville! This is the way to do that thing I’ve been trying to figure out in my head!” So I looked on the website, found a contact email, and asked them how I can do a photo experience in Nashville; I got a real response within a few days. They told me Airbnb Experiences in Nashville would be launched in a few weeks and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. Within three months my experience was number one on the platform—and still is. Then Airbnb execs asked me to become the Experience Host Community Leader for Nashville. I took on that role to unite the Experience Hosts of Nashville and lead that group of amazing folks who offer activities on the Airbnb platform. I work directly with Airbnb to help facilitate community among Airbnb Hosts and have a global community of leaders I meet with once a week on Zoom calls.
In 2020, I was asked to host a virtual skill share for Airbnb Hosts worldwide on how to take amazing photos for your experience. I really enjoy being a part of a global company that is all about experiential travel and community.
NL: What advice do you have for up-and-coming photographers and business people?
CH: Surround yourself with the right people and learn all you can by doing, reading, and watching. Get in and assist on as many shoots as you can. Learn as much as you can about business because, as creatives, that part doesn’t come easy. When you’re starting out, you usually don’t have someone to handle that side of things, so learn it for yourself first, then start delegating those tasks as you grow and can pay for those services. Stay true to what you love. Trends come and go, and you’ll always get asked to do things that don’t really do it for you, but ultimately you get to decide what projects you take on so stay in the mindset of doing what you love. (photowalknashville.com)
Tips and tricks for taking great pics around Nashville:
How to take the perfect selfie:
1. Look like you! Feeling good in your own skin goes beyond what any filter can do.
2. Do the least amount of processing to get the best quality, or it looks like it’s been overdone, and usually people know what you look like, so it shouldn’t be too far off from that.
3. Bring the camera to face level, not too far above. Keep your face relaxed and just be your own kind of beautiful.
4. Change up your backgrounds and keep it fun and interesting!
Best spots for a selfie shoot:
1. The phone booth at 5th and Broad 2. The Fairlaine Hotel
3. Pinewood Social
4. The Russell in East Nashville
5. Mas Tacos
6. The murals on Charlotte
7. The rooftop of Pinestreet Flats...but you have to come on Photowalk Nashville to get up there!