We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Shriver recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, I would’ve never put the camera down.

I officially started my photography journey in 2021, but the passion began long before that. Photography has been a part of me since high school—it was a true passion even then, but like so many people, I didn’t chase it the way I wish I had. Life took me in other directions, and photography stayed something I did on the side, more of a hobby than a pursuit.

My love for capturing moments actually comes from my Mom. She was always the lady with the camera, documenting everything, and I guess that passion just naturally passed down to me. Over the last 20+ years, I kept shooting, but only on an amateur level. Still, something about it always pulled me in.

When I finally made the leap in 2021 to turn this passion into a professional outlet, I was in a different place in life. I had experience, perspective, and honestly—a deeper understanding of what I wanted to say through my work. Starting later gave me that.

But if I could go back, I would’ve encouraged that younger version of myself to keep going after high school. To follow the spark instead of shelving it. Who knows where I’d be now if I had started back then?

That said, I also believe in perfect timing. Maybe I wasn’t ready before. Maybe the world wasn’t ready for me yet. All I know is I’m here now, and I’m not letting go of this dream again.

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.

Hi, I’m Aaron R. Shriver – the eye behind the lens at ARShriver Photography, and a storyteller at heart.

For me, photography has always been about more than just taking pictures. It’s about freezing moments in time—capturing emotion, energy, and connection in a single frame. That’s what drew me to this craft in the first place. I just loved being able to hold onto a moment, knowing it would never be exactly the same again. That love is what led me to photography, and it’s what keeps me inspired every time I pick up my camera.

While I’ve dabbled in photography for the past 20 years, I officially launched my business in 2025, turning what had long been a passion into a full-blown career. Today, I specialize in live music photography; there’s nothing quite like catching the energy of a performance mid-note, but I’ve also expanded into wrestling, hockey, portraits, and events. Each setting brings its own kind of excitement, challenge, and opportunity to tell a story through my lens.

One of the things that sets me apart is my ability to truly capture the moment. Whether it’s the raw emotion on a performer’s face, the fast-paced action of a match, or a quiet, candid moment between loved ones, I’m there for it. And I don’t do it alone. I work closely with my wife, Jillianne, and together we bring a unique energy to every shoot. Her perspective, creativity, and attention to detail perfectly complement mine, and our clients feel that harmony when we work together. It’s not just about taking photos, it’s about creating an experience that feels easy, fun, and meaningful.

I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. In just five years, I’ve gone from snapping shots as a hobby to building an LLC, a real, growing business rooted in passion, people, and storytelling. And I’m just getting started.

If you’re considering working with us, here’s what I want you to know: we work for you. This isn’t about our portfolio or just checking a box. It’s about you, your moment, your memories. I’ll always do my best to capture your world in the most authentic and lasting way possible.

Let’s create something unforgettable.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of everything I do is one dream:
To be on the road! Van, bus, car, whatever it takes, capturing the story of a band or artist, city to city, night after night.
I want to be that guy. The go-to creative. The trusted one behind the lens who’s not just snapping photos, but documenting the soul of the tour, the grit behind the scenes, the energy on stage, and everything in between.

Live music has been part of my life since my very first concert back in 1997, and here I am, 28 years later, with that same electricity running through my veins. Being in the pit, on the side of the stage, or even just blending into the crowd with a camera in hand—it’s where I feel most at home.

This isn’t just photography for me. It’s storytelling. It’s legacy. It’s capturing a moment that someone will look back on and say, “Yeah, that was the night everything clicked.”

That’s the mission. And every click of the shutter is getting me closer.

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

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s to never be afraid of the word “No.”

As a concert photographer, rejection is part of the grind. I’ve photographed nearly 500 different artists and close to 800 live sets, from massive headliners to up-and-coming local acts. I’ve been approved to shoot some of the biggest names in the industry, and I’ll be real, I’ve also been turned down by some of the smallest, but here’s the thing: you can’t let “No” stop you. You can’t take it personally. You’ve got to keep showing up, keep shooting, keep growing. Because those “No’s”? They slowly start turning into “Yes’s.”

You just have to be willing to put in the time and stay passionate, even when it feels like the door’s not opening fast enough.

In this industry, resilience is everything. If you get discouraged too easily, you’ll miss your shot, literally and figuratively. There are always doors of opportunity out there, but sometimes they don’t open until you’ve knocked 10, 20, or 100 times.

What I’ve learned is that the magic doesn’t just happen when you’re shooting the show; it’s in the hustle, the persistence, the belief that you’re good enough to keep trying. That’s what’s gotten me this far, and that’s what keeps pushing me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arshriverphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arshriver
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronRShriver/

Image Credits

Head Shot Credit EBFX Photo

All Other Photos: A R Shriver Photography