We were lucky to catch up with Abi Teeters recently and have shared our conversation below.

Abi, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, I’m happier as a business owner, but I do occasionally think about what it would be like to have a regular 9–5 job. What intrigues me most about it is the ability to truly clock out at the end of the day. As a photographer and business owner, there’s always something on my mind—editing galleries late at night, responding to emails, or planning upcoming sessions.

I remember thinking about this recently after a long day of editing and catching up on emails while my baby was napping. I had the thought that a traditional job might mean closing a laptop at 5 p.m. and being done.

But when I really think about it, the trade-offs make my path completely worth it. This career gives me the flexibility to be home with my baby, travel to incredible destinations for elopements, and build genuine connections with my couples. Getting to witness and document some of the most heartfelt, meaningful moments of their lives is something incredibly special, and it’s a privilege I never take for granted.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Abi, a wedding and elopement photographer based in Minnesota who is passionate about documenting real, heartfelt moments in beautiful places. My journey into photography started years ago with a love for storytelling and travel, and over time it grew into a business focused on capturing authentic connections between people. What began as a creative outlet slowly turned into a career where I get to document some of the most meaningful days in people’s lives.

I primarily photograph weddings and elopements, along with engagement sessions and milestone sessions for growing families. My work focuses on capturing genuine emotion rather than overly posed images. I want couples to feel comfortable being themselves so their photos reflect what the day actually felt like. Many of my favorite sessions involve movement, laughter, and sometimes even jumping into a lake at the end.

One of the biggest things I help couples with is feeling relaxed and present on their wedding day. A lot of people worry about feeling awkward in front of the camera, but my approach is very natural and guided so couples can focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about how they look. For elopements especially, I also help couples plan meaningful experiences in beautiful locations so their day feels intentional and personal.

What sets my work apart is the combination of storytelling and connection. I truly care about the couples I work with and often stay connected with them long after their wedding day—many come back later for maternity, newborn, or family photos. Being invited into those different seasons of their lives is something I’m incredibly proud of.

The thing I’m most proud of is building a business that allows me to document these meaningful moments while also creating a life that values family, travel, and connection. I want potential clients to know that when they work with me, they’re not just hiring someone to take photos—they’re choosing someone who genuinely cares about their story and wants to preserve it in a way that feels authentic, emotional, and timeless.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life and business happened when I became a mom. As a business owner, there isn’t really a traditional maternity leave—weddings were still on the calendar, emails were still coming in, and clients were still depending on me. I quickly realized I had to find a new rhythm that allowed me to show up both for my baby and for my business.

The early months looked very different than before. I was answering emails during nap times, editing galleries in the evenings, and learning how to be much more intentional with my time and energy. It was definitely an adjustment, but it also pushed me to create healthier boundaries and more efficient workflows.

I’m currently working while my baby naps on me in a carrier!

At the same time, becoming a mom deepened my perspective on the work I do. Documenting meaningful life moments—love, family, connection—feels even more special now. That season taught me that running a business doesn’t have to look one specific way, and that with flexibility and creativity, it’s possible to build a career that supports both your passions and your family.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting to preserve moments that truly matter in people’s lives. As a wedding and elopement photographer, I’m often witnessing some of the most emotional, joyful, and meaningful moments people will ever experience. Knowing that the photos I create will become part of their family’s history—looked back on for decades—is incredibly special.

I also love the human connection that comes with it. I get to build real relationships with my couples and be trusted with documenting such an important chapter of their story. There’s something really fulfilling about turning genuine emotion and fleeting moments into something lasting and tangible that people can relive forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://abijanephoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abijanephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abijanephotographyy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@abijanephotography
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@abijanephoto