Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyssa Cromer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Alyssa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.
When I first started ABC Captured Photography, I was mostly photographing friends and family so I could practice and build my portfolio. I loved it, but I remember wondering when someone who didn’t already know me would trust me enough to book a session.
One day I got a message from someone I didn’t recognize at all. She said she had come across my photos online and asked if I was available for a family session. I remember being so excited because it was the first time someone completely outside my circle had reached out to hire me.
I was definitely a little nervous going into the shoot, but once we started it felt natural. The session went really well, and when I delivered their gallery and received that first payment, it felt like such a big milestone.
It wasn’t just about the money—it was the moment my business felt real. Someone found my work, trusted me, and chose me to capture their memories. That first client gave me a lot of confidence and really motivated me to keep growing.
Alyssa, 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?
My name is Alyssa, and I’m the owner of ABC Captured Photography. Photography started as a passion for me—I was always the person bringing a camera to family gatherings and trying to capture the little moments that pass by too quickly. Over time I realized how meaningful photos can be, and that passion eventually grew into starting my own photography business.
I specialize in capturing natural moments for families, couples, and individuals who want more than just posed photos. My goal is to create images that feel genuine and allow people to look back and truly remember the moment.
One thing that sets me apart is how much I focus on the experience. I know being in front of a camera can feel intimidating, so I work hard to make sessions relaxed, comfortable, and even fun. I guide my clients when needed while also giving them space to interact naturally so their photos feel real and personal.
What I’m most proud of is being able to turn something I love into a business that helps preserve meaningful memories for others.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn as a photographer was the idea that every session needed to follow the same formula to be successful. When I first started, I felt like I needed a set list of poses and a very structured plan for every shoot. Over time, I realized the best photos happen when sessions unfold naturally. Every family, couple, or individual has their own energy and story, and trying to make every session look the same can take away from that. Now I approach each session knowing it will be different. I started paying more attention to the personalities, energy, and connections in front of me. That shift helped me capture much more authentic moments.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
The business was primarily self-funded when I first started. I invested my own money into my initial camera gear and slowly reinvested back into the business as it grew. I was also fortunate to receive funding from Black Brand, a local organization supporting small businesses in the Hampton Roads area, which helped me continue expanding and improving my equipment and services. The information I gathered from their program was very valuable in developing my business and being able to build my business step by step with both personal investment and community support has been incredibly rewarding.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Alyssa B. Cromer-Riddick