We were lucky to catch up with Cameron Warren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cameron, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve been a photographer since I asked my mom if I could use her digital point and shoot camera in middle school to take photos. Back then, Tumblr was HUGE and I experimented a lot with what I’d call “conceptual photography” (in reality, that meant a lot of black and white photography with selective color and a ton of galaxy themed photos, but we all start somewhere!). My photography got more serious as I entered high school, where I became the Yearbook Editor in my freshman year! This role was pivotal because it exposed me to various aspects of photography, from covering school events to taking club photos. By then, I had upgraded to a slightly better Fujifilm point-and-shoot camera and my passion only grew!

In my junior year of high school, my parents bought me a Nikon D3200 with two kit lenses. This was when my photography business officially started. I took on all sorts of gigs, from family portraits to maternity sessions, and even sweet 16 parties! It was exhilarating to be in demand and to capture these special moments for people.

Fast forward to when I attended college at UNC Greensboro, where I studied Business. My focus was more on academics, but my business degree gave me the foundation that I needed to be able to run my own business and understand all of the moving parts that go into running a successful photography business. Everything changed in my last semester, starting March 2020, with the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic disrupted my plans; I faced uncertain job prospects and could no longer live on campus. 

I had two options: return to my hometown of Fayetteville, NC, or move to Roanoke, VA, with my then-boyfriend (now-husband!) and his family. Having only gone to Roanoke to visit here and there, I was of course nervous, but nothing could convince me to go back to my hometown so, off I went to stay in a house with one bathroom and five people in a tiny attic filled wall-to-wall with a king sized mattress with just enough room for one dresser and a small desk.

During this chaotic time, my former roommate and really good friend asked if I would be willing to photograph their wedding. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I agreed. Little did I know that this wedding would become the catalyst for my career in wedding and elopement photography! The couple’s love, despite their struggles with pandemic restrictions and vendors’ biases (they’re an LGBTQ+ couple), deeply inspired me. I realized I wanted to be a photographer who not only supported but actively championed the LGBTQ+ community.

Photographing their wedding was challenging but rewarding. The experience ignited a passion for wedding and elopement photography within me. However, with the world still largely shut down, it was really hard to get my foot in the door with vendors or to photograph any more weddings. So, I started a full-time job at Virginia Tech in a communications and marketing role. Initially, I thought this job would be my career, but it quickly became clear it wasn’t my true calling.

An opportunity arose to photograph a destination elopement in Iceland, thanks to a bold cold-call Instagram interaction! I was petrified but excited, as I’d never done anything like this before. Pricing the elopement, figuring out travel logistics, and navigating Iceland’s snowy terrain were daunting tasks, but I managed (with some help from a really good friend!). The elopement was magical and reaffirmed my desire to specialize in intimate elopements.

Despite my growing passion for photography, I felt obligated to stay at Virginia Tech for five years to secure a pension. However, two significant health-related issues made me reevaluate this plan. First, my hair stylist discovered a large bald patch on my head, which a dermatologist attributed to a great amount of stress. This alarming discovery led me to join Megan MacPhail’s Elopement Photographer Mastermind program, using the funds I had saved to quit my job. I originally wasn’t going to enroll in the program because of the high price tag but I took a leap of faith and the return on investment was well worth it!

The second wake-up call was the sudden death of my older sister at the age of 28. Her passing made me realize the fleeting nature of life (I was 25 at the time of her death) and prompted me to set a quit date. I knew it was risky, as I’d only have three months’ worth of savings to fall back on, but I just knew that I couldn’t continue in a job that drained me. It was time to pursue my dream wholeheartedly.

These risks have shaped my journey and brought me to where I am today. I’ve learned that sometimes you have to take a leap of faith to follow your passion.

Cameron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Of course! My name is Cameron Warren (she/her) and I’m a Virginia elopement photographer! I’m your ‘through the ups and downs’ planner, nerves-melter, awkwardness vanisher, ‘kick ass day’ creator, hollers explorer, and new lifelong friend! At Cameron Warren Photography, y’all means all! All love is recognized and celebrated here. 

It’s a no brainer that I’m going to take photos of every moment of your elopement day, but I also take the time to get to know you and your story; create and manage your elopement timeline; recommend local and inclusive vendors, venues, and lodging; help you secure any required permits; and scout out locations for your day. 

I’m VERY different from your traditional wedding photographer! We’re going to meet at least 3-5 times to go over your elopement day, activities you want to do, progress on applying for permits and finding vendors, and getting to know one another. Then, the day before, we’ll even meet and have dinner, a mocktail, or a coffee! I’m not just your photographer – I’m your friend who is in your corner, ready to capture your unique love story in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains.

Elopements are no longer just excuses for couples “to run away together to get married without parental consent.” Elopements are the answer for couples who are so over-the-top-in-love with one another and can’t wait to get married but aren’t so head-over-heels about having a traditional wedding. If the idea of saying your vows in a church, having to kiss in front of hundreds of people, and making small talk the whole night makes you want to vomit and you’d much rather plan out a dedicated day to celebrate your most authentic selves, eloping is the right choice for you. Consider this a permission slip to say “no” to the traditional wedding option and dream bigger for your special day.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

My journey from side hustle to full-time business began in high school and evolved through college. The COVID-19 pandemic forced me to adapt and photographing my friend’s wedding during this time was a HUGE turning point. It helped me realize my niche in wedding and elopement photography, especially for LGBTQ+ couples. I took risks, such as accepting a destination elopement in Iceland and investing in a high-cost Mastermind program, which paid off by helping me grow my business and build valuable connections.

Balancing a full-time job at Virginia Tech with my passion for photography was challenging, but health scares and personal losses motivated me to take the leap. By setting a quit date and committing to my photography business, I positioned myself to pursue my dream fully.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Initially, Instagram was my primary source for new clients but the platform has changed so much and it now no longer brings in business for me. While I still use Instagram as a nurturing platform, I’ve had to pivot and do different things to get more eyes on my business. Now, my two main sources of new clients are Google Ads and networking.

Google Ads have been a game-changer! Having Google Ads running has led to a dramatic increase in my web traffic, which has resulted in more inquiries and bookings that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I’m also working on organic SEO efforts, such as obtaining backlinks, writing educational blogs, and improving my website’s search rankings.

Networking was something that I’d originally overlooked but I’m now diving in full-force! I’m now a member of three groups: Roanoke Wedding Network (I’m also on the board for this group), Lynchburg Wedding Network, and FemCity. Networking and word-of-mouth are SO important, especially when you live in a smaller town. Being in the right spaces and connecting with others, whether they were in the industry or not, has opened many doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and client leads. These relationships also help me recommend trusted vendors to my couples, enhancing their overall experience.

Since joining these networking groups, I’ve had opportunities to second shoot weddings, receive full leads, and build close personal relationships with vendors. Hearing different perspectives and stories within these groups has inspired new ideas and ways of doing things that have positively impacted my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cameronwarrenphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronwarrenphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronrwarren/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cameronwarrenphotography/

Image Credits

Branding photos taken by Taylored Images and edited by Cameron Warren Photography

All elopement photos were taken and edited by Cameron Warren Photography