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

Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to build a legacy of loving and helping people, leaving those around me better than I found them. I hope to empower women by giving them the confidence to be seen and celebrated for who they are. I also want to support small businesses by providing them with portraiture that elevates their brand and helps them thrive online and in their communities. At the end of the day, I want people to say I made them feel valued, capable, and proud of themselves. I hope to be remembered as someone who used creativity and compassion to make a meaningful impact on others.

Angela, 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 Angela, and outside of my work I’m an outdoor hiking and workout junkie who finds so much joy in being active in nature. At the core of who I am, I love Jesus and strive every day to serve and please my King, which guides how I live and how I serve others through my work. I first discovered photography when I taught a yearbook class right out of college—I had to learn it quickly in order to teach my students, and it sparked a passion I’ve carried ever since. I later started my business as a way to stay home with my babies while still pursuing something creative and meaningful, and the flexibility it’s given me to be there for my family has been a blessing. Today, I provide both photography and b-roll video services for businesses and families, giving clients a range of options to fit their needs. I solve the common problem of needing high-quality photographs while also making sure my clients actually get to be in them instead of behind the camera. For businesses, I elevate their brand by creating polished content for websites and social media that captures attention and builds trust with their audience. For families, I preserve their most precious memories in a way that feels authentic and timeless. What sets me apart is the intentional time I take with each client to craft a session tailored to their unique needs, style, and preferences. Above all, I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my customers and the way I’ve made them feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the last four years, I broke my hand in a bad car accident, broke my ankle, and went through a divorce that left me as the sole breadwinner for my three kids. During that time, I had to make a choice—either give up and move back home to Kansas, find another job, or keep trusting that I could build a photography business strong enough to support us. I’m so glad I chose to stick with photography, because not only did I get by, but my business actually grew. It’s turned out to be the best decision for both my kids and for me. Through it all, I’ve learned how much strength comes from pushing through when life gets hard, and I’m proud of the resilience that journey gave me.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

After saving up enough extra money to buy my first camera, I reinvested nearly everything I earned back into my business instead of taking a paycheck, until I had built a solid foundation. That discipline allowed me to grow steadily and provide better and better service over time. Even now, 18 years later, I continue to put a large portion of my earnings back into my business to ensure I’m always delivering the highest quality for my customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://angelamariecreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelamariecreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelakleinsasserphotography