We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Owens recently and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My photography journey actually started as just a creative outlet.,a way to practice, slow down, and find beauty in everyday moments. I created an Instagram account not with the goal of building a following, but to connect with other photographers, learn from them, and stay inspired. I never expected it to grow the way it did.

Hitting 2,000 followers might not be huge by some standards, but to me, it was wild to imagine that many people interested in my work. What’s meant the most has been the relationships I’ve built along the way, getting to encourage others, collaborate, and help promote other creatives’ work too.

At the heart of it, I never want to stop learning. I want to keep growing and sharing the stories I see through my lens. I recently moved to Oklahoma and have been shifting more into people photography. Mostly couples, families and portraits. This has been a whole new challenge, but one I’m excited about. I’m not always the best with words, but I hope my photos can speak for me and offer something honest, beautiful, and maybe even meaningful to others.

Courtney , 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?

Hi, I’m Courtney! I’m a photographer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, though I originally started this journey while living in Washington state. Photography began as a creative outlet for me, a way to slow down, connect with nature, and capture the quiet beauty in the world around me. I started my Instagram simply as a place to share what I was seeing and experimenting with. It wasn’t about business or branding at the time, just art, curiosity, and expression.

Over time, I realized I wasn’t just enjoying photography, I was getting better at it, and I started gaining a little traction online. I’ve had the opportunity to partner with other creators and brands, connect with photographers from all over, and even help promote some of their work, which has been such a meaningful part of this journey for me.

When I moved to Oklahoma, the landscape changed, quite literally, and so did my approach. There are fewer moody forests and more golden light here, so my editing style has naturally shifted to reflect that. I’ve also started leaning into photographing people: couples, engagements, families. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but I love the way storytelling comes alive in human connection. There’s something so powerful about capturing someone’s love, laughter, or the way they look at their person, those real, unscripted moments.

Right now, I offer nature-inspired and portrait photography, with a style that’s evolving to be softer, warmer, and more people-focused while still holding onto the soul and detail I loved capturing in nature. I don’t have a huge business infrastructure, I typically book sessions through direct messages, but I treat every client with care and make sure our time together feels personal, relaxed, and meaningful.

What sets me apart, I think, is that I’m not chasing trends or trying to fit into a perfect grid. I genuinely love this craft, and I’m still growing with it. Whether I’m hiking with my camera in hand or capturing a couple’s engagement session, I want the photos to feel real, like a memory you can step back into.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific photo or follower count. It’s the fact that this little hobby turned into something that connected me with people I admire, brought joy to others, and pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways.

If you’re looking for someone who’s not afraid to get a little messy chasing good light, who truly cares about the story behind the shot, and who’s still learning and loving every step of the way, that’s me. And I’m so glad you’re here.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started posting, I didn’t have a strategy, just a deep love for photography and a desire to share the beauty I was seeing around me. I posted nature photos from my hikes and travels because that’s where I felt most like myself, and it gave me a creative outlet that felt honest.

I built my audience by being consistent, engaging with others, and staying true to what I loved. I didn’t focus on numbers, I focused on connection. I made a point to support other photographers, comment genuinely, and build friendships. That community made the experience so much more rewarding.

My biggest advice for anyone starting out is: don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Share what inspires you. Be kind and curious. You don’t have to be the best, just honest and open to learning. You’ll find your people, and they’ll find you. It’s okay to evolve, shift your focus, and grow along the way. That’s part of the story, too.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer is seeing people light up when they receive their photos. To them, it’s something special, a memory, a feeling, a moment captured, but to me, I was just witnessing who they already were. That connection is beautiful.

I also deeply love the adventure side of photography. Getting to explore new places, meet other creatives, and share those experiences through photos is such a gift. Whether it’s hiking to a remote location or just chasing good light with friends, those moments fuel my creativity and remind me why I started.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Courtneyowensphotos

Image Credits

All Photo Credit Goes to Courtney Owens