We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Georen Goodyear a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Georen , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I named my business Love Endures Photo because it reflects a deeper meaning that resonates with my journey as a photographer and my beliefs about God. Originally, my business was called Pure Joy Photography, inspired by the way people often described me—they said I embodied pure joy. As I began capturing moments like children running towards their parents with big smiles, couples getting engaged, and brides walking down the aisle, the name felt perfect. I was capturing the essence of joy in life’s most precious moments.

However, as my photography journey evolved, I found myself shooting weddings more frequently. I noticed that one particular Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, was read at almost every ceremony: ‘Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’ This passage is full of wisdom about love and what a marriage should look like and how the Lord designed it to be.

What I love most about this verse is the phrase ‘love endures all things.’ While the world often defines love as a fleeting feeling or a rush of chemistry, I believe it’s much more than that. Love is a commitment. It’s about enduring through the highs and lows, showing patience, grace, and selflessness, even when the initial excitement fades. For me, this encapsulates what I see and capture in my work—moments of love that are not just beautiful but resilient and enduring.

This revelation inspired a rebrand to Love Endures Photo, a name that aligns perfectly and honors God (even in my business) and the timeless, enduring moments I capture.

Georen , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Love Endures Photo started in 2020, right after I, Georen Goodyear, graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in education. I began teaching third grade but quickly realized it wasn’t my passion. I felt like I had just spent four years preparing for a career that didn’t excite me. I had always loved photography—from the first time I picked up a camera in middle school, capturing simple moments at home, like my siblings playing or the flowers outside. Those small moments sparked a deep love for photography that never left me.

When COVID hit, I was at a crossroads, unsure of what to do next. Friends who had seen my work encouraged me to turn my photography into a business, and that’s how Love Endures Photo was born. I started small, charging just $25 per shoot for people I knew, and built my way up through hard work, gaining experience, better equipment, and more connections. Growing my business meant working full-time while also dedicating my nights and weekends to photography. It was challenging, but my passion drove me forward.

At Love Endures Photo, I offer a wide range of services—everything from weddings, engagements, and couple sessions to portraits, family photos, senior shoots, business headshots, and more. I’m deeply passionate about my work. If you pay me to capture your moments, I’m all in, fully committed to making sure those memories are preserved beautifully.

What sets me apart as a photographer is my relational approach and versatility. I genuinely love getting to know my clients—their stories, how they got to where they are, and why they chose me. This connection helps me capture photos that feel authentically ‘you.’ I’m a blend of trendy and timeless, mixing documentary and editorial styles. I follow trends, like incorporating film vibes in my edits, but I also focus on creating sharp, clear, true-to-color images that will stand the test of time. I capture moments as they happen, with minimal interruption, but I also step in to provide direction when needed, making sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera.

I’m also the type of person who steps up when no one else will. As a photographer, especially at weddings without a planner, I often find myself filling that role. I help plan timelines, troubleshoot when things go awry, and protect the couple’s space, ensuring their day is as calm and perfect as they envisioned. I even provide a wedding planning guide with my packages, offering tips on things couples might not think about, like setting the tone for their morning.

What I’m most proud of in my business is keeping the Lord at the center of everything I do. His wisdom has guided me in running my business and managing my finances. He’s blessed me with incredible connections and opportunities I never imagined, like being featured in a magazine, reaching six figures, and working alongside photographers I look up to. While I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, I know that all the glory belongs to Him. Every accomplishment is a testament to His grace, and I’m incredibly thankful for the gift of capturing people’s memories. Keeping Him at the heart of my brand has been my greatest success.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My resilience in running my business is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up, I had to work hard for everything, building from the ground up, and I believe that’s how the Lord has prepared me to run this business. Running a business is not easy, and there are scary parts—like the inconsistency in income, where one month might be enough to support my family and the next might fall short. The early stages of entrepreneurship are often filled with doubt and imposter syndrome, questioning if I’m good enough, if I made the right decision, or if I truly have what it takes.

Resilience for me has been about navigating these ups and downs with faith, learning from failures, continuously innovating, adjusting to market changes, handling slow seasons, and turning competition into collaboration.

For example, when I first started, I faced many failures, especially when finding my footing in the industry. One challenge was not having the funds to buy a top-tier camera that would meet industry standards. Instead of going into debt, I was patient and only spent the money I had, saving up gradually from small shoots and practicing constantly. This approach taught me financial discipline and allowed me to upgrade my equipment step-by-step, raise my prices, and continue growing without compromising my financial stability.

Continuous innovation and improvement are also key to my resilience. Photography is constantly evolving, with new trends like film photography and changing editing techniques. To stay relevant, I constantly learn—whether mastering new editing software, experimenting with different lighting setups, or embracing new trends that align with my brand of timeless and generational photography. I’m always seeking ways to serve my clients better and set myself apart from other photographers.

When it comes to market saturation, especially in popular niches like weddings and family photography, I’ve differentiated myself by developing a unique style and focusing on exceptional client experiences. I aim to build a personal brand that truly resonates with my target audience, ensuring that my photos capture genuine moments and stand out in a crowded market.

Navigating the slow seasons has been another test of resilience. These times, when there are fewer bookings and income is lower, can trigger self-doubt. I’ve learned to plan for these periods by diversifying my income streams, such as offering studio sessions during off-peak times, updating my portfolio, refreshing my marketing, and preparing for the busy season ahead. I also use this time to rest and recharge, which helps me stay creative and motivated.

Recently, I’ve also been navigating the challenge of creative burnout, something I had heard about but hadn’t experienced until facing back-to-back shoots and endless editing marathons. Recognizing the signs of burnout has been crucial; I’ve learned to take breaks, dive into personal projects, attend workshops, and collaborate with other creatives to reignite my passion and keep my work fresh.

Ultimately, resilience in my business has been about adapting, learning, and leaning on my faith through every high and low. It’s about showing up every day, not just for myself but for my clients, and trusting that with every challenge, there’s an opportunity for growth.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

When it comes to funding my business, I started with absolutely nothing. I had a camera that I bought in college, which I initially used for personal trips and taking photos as favors for friends’ graduations. That camera became the foundation of my business. From the beginning, I set a goal: I didn’t want to go into debt or take out any loans. If I was going to grow, it was going to be organic, and I was only going to spend money that I had.

This meant starting small and charging just $25 per session. As my experience and skills grew, so did my rates. Now, I charge almost $400 per session. The same gradual approach applied to weddings; I gained my initial experience by photographing weddings for friends who didn’t have a big photography budget, often working for tips. Looking back, I can’t believe I did that because weddings are a lot of work, but it allowed me to gain experience without the pressure of being paid big money upfront and feeling like I had to be perfect.

When I started officially charging for weddings, my rate was $1,500 for an eight-hour day, which seemed fair then but now feels incredibly low. Today, I charge nearly $4,000 per wedding. Still, to this day, I follow the same financial principles: I don’t spend money I don’t have. I maintain a baseline amount in my business account and only make purchases if it doesn’t drop below that threshold. This is how I’ve managed to buy everything I need for my business, from new cameras, lenses, and flash units to SD cards, film, and camera cases.

I know this isn’t the typical approach, but for me, it felt right. It taught me to value every step of my business journey, to be patient with growth, and to trust the process. By not rushing or going into debt, I’ve built my business on a solid financial foundation, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

If you’re starting out or thinking of taking the leap, know that you don’t need all the fancy gear or a huge budget to begin. Start with what you have, stay true to your values, and grow at your own pace. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Believe in your vision, work hard, and remember that the journey itself is worth it. You’ve got this!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loveenduresphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/loveendures.photo?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Image Credits

Georen Goodyear (Love Endures Photo)