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

Casi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

When I started my wedding and family portrait photography business in 2008, fresh out of college and eager to create, I was completely unprepared for the harsh criticisms that would come—not just from the outside world but also from other business owners and even my own family.

One of the most painful challenges came in 2013, when I learned firsthand that family doesn’t always support your dreams. That year, I had photographed my cousin and her fiancé in a historic district of Baltimore City. It was a drizzly, slightly chilly day, which gave the photos a moody, “Rainy Day in Paris” vibe—something different from my usual work at the time, but I personally loved them. At the end of the session, as a wedding gift, I offered to photograph their wedding at a steep discount.

I never heard from them again.

Months later, just a few weeks before their wedding, my uncle (her father) blindsided me with a conversation that felt like a punch to the gut. He told me my cousin was deeply unhappy with the engagement photos and would never hire me for another photography job. But he didn’t stop there—he also made it clear that, as the president of a Maryland-based retreat center that hosted weddings and events, he would never hire me to photograph anything there either. Then came the words that truly broke me: “I think you should find something else to be passionate about because this obviously isn’t working for you.”

I was devastated. At the time, I was preparing for a local bridal expo, and now my own family was telling me to give up. His final advice? “Try to get your money back if you can.”

For days, I cried. I felt grief—not just over the situation, but over the loss of the family relationship I had once cherished. I seriously questioned whether I should continue.

Then in 2014, just as I was working to rebuild my confidence, I faced another unexpected blow—this time from another wedding vendor. A wedding planner I had worked with insisted on acting as a gatekeeper between me and our shared clients, expecting me to do everything on her terms. She had a very particular way of doing things and demanded that every vendor fall in line. One night, after a disagreement about how I managed my own business, she made it clear that she would never refer me to another client because I wasn’t operating the way she thought I should.

That conversation left me in tears. I was simply trying to run my business with integrity and in a way that felt right to me, but she saw it as defiance. At the time, it made me question my ability to work with other wedding vendors, and for a while, I had a negative view of those relationships. But over time, I met and built connections with some truly incredible wedding coordinators—ones who supported and encouraged me instead of tearing me down. It taught me an important lesson: not everyone in your industry will be your ally, and that’s okay. You build your own vendor tribe, and even if it starts small, the right people will come into your circle and lift you up.

In the years that followed, I struggled with confidence. These two experiences, combined, reopened old wounds from childhood bullying, making me question whether I was cut out for this industry. But I kept going.

Now, more than a decade later, I feel more confident in my business than ever. I have stronger contracts, well-defined client guides, and a clear vision for the kind of experience I provide. And on the days when doubt creeps in, I have an amazing support system—fellow photographers who have been through their own struggles, who lift me up, and who remind me why I do what I do.

Looking back, those challenges weren’t just setbacks—they were pivotal moments that forced me to grow. And while I wouldn’t want to relive them, I’m grateful for where they’ve led me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Photography has always been more than just a business for me—it’s a way of preserving love, connection, and fleeting moments that deserve to be cherished for a lifetime. I started my journey in 2008, fresh out of college with a radio broadcasting degree and a passion for photography and a heart full of dreams and believing that anything is possible. What began as a passion for storytelling through images quickly turned into a calling. Over the years, I have had the honor of capturing weddings, growing families, and the little in-between moments that often mean the most.

My work primarily focuses on wedding and family portrait photography, and what sets me apart is my ability to capture emotion in its purest form. I don’t just take photos—I document stories, create timeless heirlooms, and provide my clients with an experience that feels personal, comfortable, and true to who they are. I specialize in creating warm, heartfelt images that reflect the genuine connections between people, whether it’s a newly engaged couple, a family welcoming a newborn, or the beautiful chaos of a wedding day.

One of the biggest challenges my clients face is feeling comfortable in front of the camera. Many tell me they feel awkward, don’t know how to pose, or worry that they won’t look natural in their photos. That’s where I come in—not just as a photographer, but as a guide who helps them feel at ease, creating a space where their love and personality can shine. I focus on authentic interactions, subtle movements, and stolen glances rather than stiff, overly posed images. The result? Photos that feel like them.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the work I create—it’s the trust I build with my clients. Many return year after year, allowing me to document their biggest milestones. I’ve photographed couples from their engagement to their wedding day, then later as they grow their families. Being entrusted with those moments is something I will never take for granted.

Beyond the technical side of photography, I want people to know that this isn’t just a job to me—it’s a privilege. Every session is an opportunity to tell a story, to freeze time, and to remind people of the love that surrounds them. If you’re looking for more than just beautiful images—if you want a photographer who will laugh with you, cry happy tears with you, and truly invest in your story—then I’d love to be part of your journey.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten and turn them into something tangible—something that holds meaning, emotion, and connection. It’s knowing that a photograph I take today might be the one someone looks back on decades from now, reliving the love, the laughter, the fleeting magic of that moment.

It’s also about the human connection. Watching a couple see their wedding photos for the first time, capturing the quiet awe of new parents holding their baby, or preserving the little, everyday moments that make up a family’s story—those are the things that make this work so deeply fulfilling.

Beyond the images themselves, it’s the trust people place in me. The fact that they invite me into their most intimate, joyous, and sometimes even bittersweet moments means everything. It’s an honor to be part of those stories, to create something that will live on long after the moment has passed.

Ultimately, it’s about legacy—giving people a way to hold onto love, even as time moves forward. That, to me, is the most beautiful and rewarding part of being an artist.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One of the biggest things non-creatives might struggle to understand about the creative journey is just how much heart and soul goes into this work. It’s not just about clicking a button, painting a canvas, or writing words on a page—it’s about pouring pieces of yourself into every project, every session, every creation.

One of the hardest parts of being a creative entrepreneur is that the work is deeply personal, yet it’s constantly open to judgment. A lot of people see the final product, but they don’t always see the years of learning, the trial and error, the self-doubt, and the emotional investment that go into it. Creativity isn’t just a skill—it’s a process of constant growth, one that requires resilience (and a little bit of thick skin).

There’s also the misconception that because we love what we do, it’s easy. The truth? Running a creative business means wearing a hundred different hats—artist, marketer, client manager, editor, financial planner, and more. The work doesn’t end when the session is over or the piece is finished; there’s an entire behind-the-scenes world that non-creatives may not realize exists.

And perhaps the biggest struggle is that creativity is deeply tied to identity. When someone critiques or undervalues your work, it can feel like they’re critiquing you. It takes time to separate your worth from your work, to develop the confidence to keep creating even when the world feels indifferent or critical.

But despite all of that, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Because at the end of the day, creating is about connection. It’s about making people feel something, preserving moments that matter, and leaving behind something that lasts. And that is worth every struggle along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.casidentonphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casidentonphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CasiDentonPhoto

Image Credits

Casi Denton Photography