Who is Photowalk Nashville?

Meet Christy and Gina, the dynamic duo behind the Photowalk Nashville lens. We’ll share how we got started and why this is a Nashville experience you won’t want to miss.

Q: Tell us a little about yourselves!

Christy: Hey y’all!  I love wearing lots of hats! I’m a very passionate, driven and fun-focused visionary leader. I am a mom of 4 awesome kids, we love to travel, and I’m really into petite style and helping people be their best selves.

Gina: Hey! I’m Gina and I have been living in Nashville for about 5 years with my husband Joe and my dog Parmesan.  I have worked in the TV, tourism and photography industries and love being creative and connecting with my guests through Photowalk.  I’m also a relationship anxiety coach and enjoy writing and sharing personal development resources. 

Q: Can you give us a little insight into your photography journey?

C: I have been a full time photographer for the last 7 years specializing in weddings, portraits, and events like New York Fashion Week, The Dove Awards, and The Music Biz Conference. My work has been featured in the Nashville Scene, The London Guardian, Thrillist, and Nashville Lifestyles.

I have a passion for building relationships with my photography community. As I become more involved in these communities, some really exciting opportunities arose. Photography gave me the outlet to express my creativity, to find a community that I felt like I belonged in, and a way to make income to support my family.  

Being self taught has made me really dig into what it means to be a thoughtful photographer. I’ve had to dig in and learn the business side of things and the travel industry. It’s been so challenging but also so rewarding.

G: I actually went to film school at Emerson College where I majored in media production and writing for film/TV.  Here, I produced many shows and got to work for Conan O’Brien for a semester on the Warner Brother’s lot in LA.  I transitioned to still photography and videography with my company Gina Co. Photography where I worked on weddings, senior and family portraits, and branding photography.  I have always loved photography and now mostly do senior portraits on my own and love it so much. 

Q: How was Photowalk Nashville born?! 

C: While doing photoshoots in The Gulch, I would always see so many tourists taking their own photos on their phone. I would even get asked by them to take their cell phone pics at the murals. And as I assisted some tourists one day, I had an idea.

I wanted to find a way to offer them professional shots and advice of what to do in the city,  but didn’t have a clue how to go about that.

Then one night, I was up late editing a session and started dreaming of travel. As an avid traveler myself, I was intrigued but the idea of Airbnb, but had never stayed at a listed property.

I popped over to the website to browse homes stays in Paris, and while I was looking, I noticed a new feature that said “Airbnb Experiences” I clicked on it and saw a video of an Experience where you could go with a photographer to get photos at the best photo spots, plus get a little tour of the city. 

I got chills and thought, “That’s me. That’s it. That is what I’m supposed to do!”

So, I sent an email to Airbnb and asked how I could do just that in Nashville. I got an answer a few days later that said- “We’re actually about to launch Experiences in Nashville. Would you like to be a host?” 

Within a few weeks, I had my first Experience with three ladies from Atlanta. We had the best time taking pics and chatting while I showed them the area. They offered to take me out for a margarita after and I knew in my heart… “This is it. I want to do this all the time.”

Photowalk Nashville has grown since June 2018, taking guests from all over the world on a photo tour to the trendiest spots in Nashville. This Nashville tour rose to #1 in 3 months, has over five hundred 5-star reviews and so many relationships have been made.

I am also currently the Nashville Experience Host Leader, facilitating the Airbnb Experience Host community.

With all the growth, new co-hosts/photographers have been added on the team, so we can have maximum availability. Each one of them is special and has the Photowalk Nashville vibe that offers guests the unique experience if I am busy! See this blog post to get to know the co-hosts too (coming soon)!

Q: What is your favorite thing about working with clients who book a tour with Photowalk Nashville?!

C: The best thing about it is that I get to give the gift of memories for people. They’re coming here to celebrate or get away. I get to be a part of that and enhance their trip by providing great information, helpful tips, and tell them how awesome they are when we shoot! Oh, and of course take photos for them so they don’t have to selfie the whole time!

Guests have even come on the Experience, connected with me and then have me shoot their wedding!

It’s all about the connection and allowing my guests to feel like they have a friend in a Nashville local they can trust. Seeing their photos on social media years later makes me feel amazing because I know it was a special time in their life, and they want to come back after having an awesome experience. 

G: For me it’s such a blessing that I get to connect with people from all around the world and get to give them a one of a kind experience.  I get to be part of someones celebration and memories, whether that is a birthday, bachelorette party, anniversary, proposal, or just for a fun vacation memory.

Getting to connect with them is such a fun part of the job and having fun and making memories- that’s what it’s all about!

Q: What can you expect on a Photowalk Nashville tour?

A:  You can expect to have a great time! We have so much fun with our guests. Upon arriving at the meeting location, guests are greeted by their host/photographer and taken to all the best photo spots for pictures in the trendy neighborhoods of The Gulch and 12 South. We take your pics for you, so you don’t have to, give posing ideas and direction, and give insight into where to eat, shop, explore while you’re in Nashville. 

Q: What sets Photowalk Nashville’s photo tours apart from other Nashville experiences?

A: It’s not just a photoshoot, and it’s not just a tour- it’s a unique combination of the two. As we are going to the different spots, we are sharing the best stories, recs, and insights with you as well. You walk away having had fun, even before you see the pics. 

Q: What is your most memorable Photowalk Nashville experience?

C: Oh, there’s been soooo many great ones. So many awesome folks that have come through and I have felt a connection with. There was a couple who did the tour, and I had so much fun with them, and then they got married and asked me to be their wedding photographer! Then when they had their second baby, they announced it through the pictures from Photowalk! That was so special.

G: Some of my favorite experiences are definitely the proposals we do that have been really special.  I mean, that is such a special moment in a couple’s life and the fact that I will forever be in that memory for them is something I don’t take for granted.  We’ve also celebrated women who just beat cancer and those going through Make a Wish that were really special.  The birthdays…every tour can be so special.