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

Cassidy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

One of the ways I diverge from the industry standard is how I prepare my couples for their wedding day. Many photographers wait until just a month or two before the wedding to create a timeline, but I draft one as soon as a couple books with me. This gives them confidence from the very beginning, helps them visualize how the day can flow, and ensures we’re never rushing through moments just for the sake of photos.

I also love equipping my couples with resources that go beyond photography. Each booking comes with two custom magazines I’ve designed—one filled with wedding day tips and another engagement style guide to help them feel confident in front of the camera and stress-free leading up to the wedding. Combined with their complimentary engagement session, these touchpoints transform what’s often treated as an “add-on” into a true experience.

And with my background in graphic design, I’ve also created venue magazines showcasing real weddings I’ve photographed. Couples can flip through for inspiration and see what their own celebration could look like in that space, while venues get a beautiful piece to share with their clients.

These intentional touches may not be the industry norm, but they allow me to offer an experience that feels personal, thoughtful, and memorable—helping couples feel cared for from the very first email all the way through the final gallery.

Cassidy, 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?

I’m Cassidy, the CEO, owner, and photographer behind Cassidy Alane Photography (CAP). My journey into photography actually began with graphic design. I earned my degree in design and noticed how naturally it paired with photography—the two disciplines overlap in composition, storytelling, and creativity. Over time, photography became my main focus, though I still take on the occasional design project when inspiration strikes.

At CAP, I specialize in weddings, but I consider myself a milestone photographer at heart. That means I’m there to capture the big chapters in life—weddings, seniors, families, and even cake smash sessions. Each season deserves to be remembered and celebrated, and my job is to preserve those memories with intention and artistry.

In addition to digital galleries, I also design and sell handcrafted heirloom albums. There’s something powerful about holding your memories in your hands instead of just swiping through a screen. Albums allow couples, seniors, and families to look back on these special chapters and relive them for generations.

What sets me apart is the personal experience I create. I guide clients through posing so they never feel awkward in front of the camera, and I help them select session locations based on the vibe they want—whether it’s romantic, adventurous, or classic. For my wedding clients, I design wedding day timelines as soon as they book so they can feel confident about how their day will flow without worrying about being rushed. I also provide custom resources like a Wedding Tips magazine and Engagement Style Guide magazine, as well as venue-specific magazines that feature real weddings I’ve captured.

What I’m most proud of is when clients tell me they felt comfortable, cared for, and celebrated. At its core, Cassidy Alane Photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s about creating a thoughtful experience and capturing the joy, love, and personality of each season of life.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is knowing that I’ve preserved memories people can hold onto forever. Life changes so quickly, and we don’t always pause to really observe and appreciate the season we’re in. Photography allows me to freeze those fleeting moments—whether it’s a wedding day, a senior year, or a growing family—so my clients can always look back and remember not just how things looked, but how they felt at that time in their lives.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Oh, absolutely—so many! Right now, ChatGPT has been such a blessing, and I wish it had been around (or at least in its prime) when I first started my business. It’s an incredible tool for brainstorming, writing, and organizing ideas. Another big one is Dubsado—it’s the perfect system for managing client emails and setting up automatic workflows, which allows me to connect with clients faster and keep everything organized in one place. Planoly has also been a favorite for preparing my Instagram grid and scheduling posts. And while Facebook’s suite of tools existed when I started, I wish it had the features it does now—being able to post across multiple platforms with ease would have saved me so much time back then!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cassidyalanephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassidyalanephotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassidyalanephotography
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cassidyalane

Image Credits

Cassidy Alane Photography