We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aly Cross. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aly below.

Aly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Right now, I manage my own social media, but I have a Virtual Assistant who helps me stay on top of it. We’ve gone through a few different setups, but what’s working best for us now is that I handle the content calendar and strategy, and my VA writes the captions and designs carousels. So far, this has been the best approach for growth and engagement—especially with my current followers.

One thing I’ve learned? Reels perform best with non-followers when they’re tied to trends. But timing is everything! Because of that, I create and post my Reels instantly instead of waiting on an approval process that could slow things down.

I decided to bring on a VA because social media kept slipping to the bottom of my to-do list. As a Type A creative business owner, my priorities are always my clients, their experience, and, of course, creating. That didn’t leave much time for planning my social media presence in a way that actually provided value. Since hiring a VA, I’ve been able to grow my reach significantly while keeping my content consistent and intentional.

If you’re feeling burnt out by a certain part of your business, I highly recommend stepping back and figuring out what you can hand off. Find a VA you connect with, someone who gets your vision, and don’t be afraid to let go of the things that aren’t lighting you up. The right support can make all the difference in helping you level up!

Aly, 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?

Photography has always been a part of my life—some of my best memories are from summers spent running around with a point-and-shoot, taking endless photos of my friends. I bought my first real camera when I studied abroad, took a photography class in college, and absolutely loved it. But like so many of us, I got caught up in the idea that success meant a corporate job, so that’s the path I followed.

Then COVID hit, and everything shifted. I realized life was too short not to chase something I’d always wanted, so I dove headfirst into photography. For three years, I balanced a full-time job while growing my business on the side. It wasn’t easy, but with the unwavering support of my family and friends, I was finally able to go full-time this past September—and I haven’t looked back since!

I’m a wedding and portrait photographer, but more than that—I’m here for the real, unfiltered moments. Getting to know my clients and capturing them in a way that feels true to who they are is hands-down my favorite part of this job. My approach to portraits is relaxed and lifestyle-driven—no stiff, overly posed shots here! I love working with my clients to plan sessions that feel like *them* and document whatever season of life they’re in.

Weddings? Same vibe. My goal is to capture the love between you and your person, along with all the people who mean the most to you. On wedding days, I’m not just your photographer—I’m an extension of the wedding party. I’ll crack jokes with your friends, tear it up on the dance floor, and be your loudest cheerleader. Things don’t always go 100% according to plan, but I’m all about rolling with the punches, keeping things fun, and making sure your day feels as stress-free as possible all while giving you some amazing photos to document the memories.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the lasting relationships I’ve built with my clients. It means the world to me when a couple trusts me with their wedding day—and even more when they come back for the next chapters of their lives. Getting to document growing families, anniversaries, new adventures, and all the little moments in between is such an honor. I love being more than just a photographer; I want to be someone you feel comfortable with, who celebrates with you, and who gets to tell your story over the years. There’s nothing better than seeing wedding clients turn into lifelong clients, capturing their love as it grows and evolves.

When you work with me, you’re getting more than just a photographer—you’re getting a hype girl, a dress-fixer, a dance-floor buddy, and someone who genuinely cares about capturing you. My approach is all about keeping things laid-back and fun, so you never feel stiff or overly posed. I focus on real, unfiltered moments with bold, true-to-life colors that make your photos feel timeless. My brand is built on inclusivity, and I wholeheartedly welcome all love stories—everyone deserves to have their moments captured with the same joy, care, and authenticity. I’m also a big believer in shooting in places that feel meaningful, whether that’s at a brewery, in the middle of the woods, or anywhere in between. And if you want to bring your dog? Absolutely. I’ll probably spend half the session taking dog portraits, and I won’t even apologize for it.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with my clients by showing up for them in ways that feel personal and meaningful. My love languages are words of affirmation and gift-giving, so I find so much joy in writing heartfelt letters throughout their planning process, sending coffee shop gift cards for a little pick-me-up, and hand-picking holiday gifts for my wedding clients as they celebrate their first married holidays. I truly believe in treating my clients the way I’d want to be treated, and in doing so, I naturally attract and retain like-minded people who feel more like friends. Fostering these relationships isn’t just about business—it’s about celebrating and supporting the people I get to work with long after the photos are delivered.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

In 2021, I was working full-time in IT but felt a pull to pivot my career in a different direction. Photography had been on my mind for *years*, but I finally took the leap, bought a used Nikon camera, and started putting my work out there on social media. I started gaining traction, and before long, a local photographer offered an internship for the summer. I jumped at the opportunity! I spent that time capturing behind-the-scenes moments, carrying gear, and soaking up everything I could—from camera settings to posing, client interactions, and the ins and outs of running a photography business.

As my photography side hustle grew, my IT job shifted into HR, and eventually, I went part-time to better balance both worlds. This transition period was huge—it gave me the financial stability to get used to paying myself instead of relying on a traditional paycheck. But before long, my client load became too much to juggle, and I knew it was time to go all in. Taking that leap was both terrifying and exhilarating, but now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Running my own business full-time has allowed me to pour all my energy into photography, my clients, and building something I truly love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alycrossphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alycrossphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alycrossphotography
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alycrossphotography/

Image Credits

Image Credits: Aly Cross Photography