Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bobbi Petersen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bobbi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

One of the easiest ways you can convey appreciation is to provide amazing customer service. Responding to emails within 24 hours shows your clients that their time and inquiries are a priority, making them feel valued and respected. Hitting your contracted delivery times demonstrates reliability and professionalism, building trust and reinforcing that you honor your commitments.

Physically, my portrait clients receive prints in the mail along with a thank-you note, and all of my sessions and weddings include curated mobile albums. My wedding clients are treated to a beautiful box filled with prints, products, and other goodies, making their experience even more memorable and personal. These thoughtful touches show clients how much I appreciate them and their trust in my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m Bobbi Petersen, a fine art wedding and portrait photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin, but I travel worldwide to capture beautiful, raw, and emotional moments. My journey into photography started with a love for storytelling and capturing the connections that make life meaningful. Over the years, this passion has grown into a full-time career where I’ve photographed over 500 weddings and countless portraits in some of the most stunning locations across the globe.

At Bobbi Petersen Photography, I provide a range of services tailored to my clients’ needs. For weddings, I offer collections that include 8 hours of coverage, edited full-resolution files, an engagement session, a keepsake storage drive, a wedding album, prints, and a curated online gallery. My portrait sessions include exclusive access to my private 35-acre property, complete with a greenhouse, boardwalk, nature trails, and more. These sessions come with edited digital files, prints, albums, and interactive, movement-based photography to create authentic moments.

What sets me apart is my dedication to delivering an extraordinary client experience. I focus on building trust and making clients feel valued at every step. This includes answering emails within 24 hours, hitting delivery timelines, and adding thoughtful touches like curated mobile albums for all sessions and weddings. My wedding clients also receive a beautifully crafted box filled with prints, products, and meaningful extras that reflect their unique day.

My work is about more than just taking pictures—it’s about solving problems for my clients, whether it’s creating a stress-free photography experience, helping them feel confident in front of the camera, or preserving memories in a way that feels personal and timeless. I take pride in being both an artist and a reliable professional, ensuring every client feels seen, heard, and celebrated.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built through my work. Many of my clients have become lifelong friends, which is the highest compliment I could receive. My brand is grounded in warmth, authenticity, and quality, and I want potential clients to know that when they work with me, they’re not just getting a photographer—they’re gaining a partner who cares deeply about their story. My goal is always to create images that make my clients feel something and to provide them with heirlooms they’ll treasure forever.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Leaving the business partnership I was part of for over ten years was one of the most challenging and transformative moments of my career. I had invested so much of myself into that business—my time, creativity, and passion—and when the decision came to part ways, it meant starting completely fresh. One of the most significant sacrifices I made was giving up my copyright to everything I had shot during that time. It was daunting to leave behind work that had defined my career for so long, but I knew it was the right decision for my personal growth and happiness.

What could have been a devastating loss turned into an opportunity to redefine myself and my business. It allowed me to reconnect with my core values and rediscover why I fell in love with photography in the first place. I poured my energy into building Bobbi Petersen Photography, where I could focus on creating a brand that truly reflected who I am and the type of experience I want to give my clients.

Starting over gave me the freedom to innovate, refine my style, and offer something entirely my own. It also taught me resilience and the importance of staying true to myself, even when faced with tough decisions. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come since then. That pivotal moment was not the end of my story but the beginning of a new and exciting chapter—one filled with creativity, authenticity, and a deeper connection to my work and clients. It’s proof that sometimes, the hardest decisions lead to the greatest opportunities for growth.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

If there’s one resource I wish I had discovered earlier in my creative journey, it’s studio management software. Starting out, I relied on spreadsheets, sticky notes, and emails to manage my business, which worked in the short term but quickly became overwhelming as I took on more clients and expanded my offerings. Looking back, I see how much time, energy, and even income I could have saved by implementing a streamlined system from day one.

Studio management software is a game changer for creative professionals. It centralizes everything—contracts, invoices, scheduling, workflows, and client communication—into one cohesive platform. Not only does it save time, but it also ensures that nothing slips through the cracks. I now use it to send automated reminders, track payments, and keep every client’s information organized and accessible, which allows me to focus more on creating and less on administrative tasks.

If I had started using studio management software earlier, I would have had a much easier time scaling my business while maintaining a professional and seamless client experience. It’s one of the best investments I’ve made, and I encourage every creative entrepreneur to implement it as soon as possible. It’s not just a tool; it’s a foundation for staying organized and stress-free, which in turn leads to better work and happier clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bobbipetersenphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbipetersenphotographer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbipetersenphotographer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiknar/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@guildedgreyllc

Image Credits

Fist Full of Bolts (profile picture of me)