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

Hi Casey , thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I’ve always loved photography. It was one of those things I did for fun—capturing moments, playing with light, and making sure everyone looked their best. For years, it was just that—a hobby. Meanwhile, I was deep in the corporate world, managing teams, handling customer success, and figuring out business strategies (you know, all the things that now help me run my own business). But I started feeling that pull—the need to step back, to do something that felt more like me.

I didn’t just quit my job and dive in headfirst (as tempting as that sounded some days). Instead, I started Seven Dorfs Photography while still working full-time. That way, I could build my portfolio and get some real experience under my belt while keeping a stable income. Oh, and the name? It’s a nod to my family—my husband, two kids, and at the time, our three pets. Seven Dorfs. A little quirky, a little fun, and personal, just like my approach to photography.

The first step? Getting official. I had experience with Squarespace from a past job, so I used it to build my first website, bought my domain, and set up my business email (because nothing says “I’m legit” like an official inbox). I made my logo on Canva, picked out my branding colors, and figured out how I wanted my business to feel—friendly, fun, but also professional.

As I started working with more clients, I realized I needed something that was built for photographers. That’s when I moved everything over to Pixieset. Now, my website, client galleries, contracts, and even print sales all live in one place, which has been a game-changer.

To actually get clients? I started with Thumbtack. I knew it would take an upfront investment, but it helped me connect with people who were already looking for a photographer. That first message from a real paying client? Pure adrenaline. And then the first time someone left a glowing review? I was hooked.

Of course, there were lessons along the way—like figuring out pricing (spoiler: I definitely undercharged at first) and learning to navigate social media (I still never know what to post, but I’m working on it – Progress over Perfection!). The biggest thing I’ve leaned into is my background in customer service and project management. Being a great photographer isn’t just about taking pretty pictures—it’s about making people feel comfortable, keeping everything organized, and making sure the whole experience is seamless.

The moment I knew I could do this full-time? When clients started coming back. When people started referring me to their friends. When it wasn’t just a side hustle anymore—it was my career.

And now? I get to wake up every day and do what I love. Not a bad way to make a living, right?

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Casey Stratton, the photographer behind Seven Dorfs Photography. My journey into photography wasn’t exactly a straight line—I spent years in the corporate world, working in customer success and operations, before finally deciding to take the leap and turn my long-time hobby into a full-time business. What started as a way to capture moments for fun has now grown into a career where I get to document some of the most meaningful times in people’s lives.

At Seven Dorfs Photography, I specialize in portrait photography—capturing everything from headshots and branding sessions to family portraits, engagements, maternity, newborn, and even elopements and small weddings. I also work with businesses for real estate, Airbnb listings, interior design photography, and corporate headshots. Essentially, if it’s a moment that matters, I want to capture it in a way that feels real, warm, and full of life.

What Sets Me Apart
One thing that truly sets me apart is my approach—I don’t just show up, snap some pictures, and leave. My background in customer service and project management means that I focus just as much on the experience as I do on the final images. I want my clients to feel comfortable, seen, and confident during their sessions. Whether it’s coaching someone through their first professional headshot, capturing the unfiltered joy of a proposal, or making sure a newborn session feels stress-free for exhausted parents, my goal is to make the process smooth, fun, and totally tailored to my clients.

I also don’t limit the number of edited photos I deliver. If I love an image and I think my client will too, it makes it into the final gallery. I believe in telling the full story, not just picking a handful of “best” images.

The Problems I Solve for Clients
Photography isn’t just about taking pretty pictures—it’s about solving problems. Some of the ways I help my clients include:

Helping businesses stand out: Whether it’s real estate photography that makes a listing shine, branding photography that tells a business’s story, or headshots that give professionals confidence in their online presence, I ensure my clients look their best.
Creating timeless memories: Families often tell me they struggle to get everyone in one place for a good photo, or that they feel awkward in front of the camera. I take care of all of that—I make the experience easy, fun, and natural.
Guiding couples through big moments: From proposals and engagement sessions to elopements and small weddings, I help couples capture the love and emotion of their story while keeping everything stress-free.
Making photography accessible: I offer flexible options, unlimited edits, and guidance every step of the way so that no one feels overwhelmed by the process.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the way my business has grown organically through word-of-mouth and client referrals. Seeing clients come back for milestone after milestone—engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, and beyond—means the world to me. I’m also proud of the relationships I’ve built; I don’t just take pictures, I get to be a small part of people’s biggest moments, and that’s something I never take for granted.

What I Want People to Know About My Work
Authenticity is everything. I don’t do stiff, overly posed images. I want you to feel like yourself in your photos.
You don’t have to know what to do—I’ll guide you. Whether you’re camera-shy or a natural, I’ll help you feel comfortable and confident.
I love a good story. Your photos should reflect your personality, your brand, or your relationships. I’m here to bring that vision to life.
I care about every client. Whether you’re a family looking for holiday photos or a business needing polished branding images, I give every session the same level of energy, creativity, and professionalism.
At the end of the day, I love what I do because it lets me capture moments that matter. If you’re looking for a photographer who brings warmth, expertise, and a little bit of fun to the process, I’d love to work with you!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I started Seven Dorfs Photography, I didn’t have a big investment fund or outside backing—I built it step by step, making smart decisions that allowed me to grow without taking on debt. My first camera wasn’t even one I purchased myself. Years before I ever thought about photography as a career, my husband gifted me a Canon DSLR, just because he knew I loved taking pictures. That camera became the foundation of my business.

At first, I used what I had. I didn’t rush into expensive upgrades or fancy gear—I focused on getting real-world experience, building my portfolio, and figuring out what I actually needed to improve. My first few shoots were with that original DSLR, and every dollar I earned from those early sessions went right back into the business. I was still working my corporate job at the time, which gave me the flexibility to reinvest everything photography brought in without worrying about covering my personal expenses.

After a few months, I was able to upgrade to the Canon EOS R, a mirrorless camera that gave me better image quality and low-light performance. That was the first big investment I made in my business, and it felt like a huge milestone—proof that things were working and that I was growing. Later, as my client base expanded and my business became more established, I made another leap and upgraded to the Canon R6 Mark II, which gave me even more reliability, speed, and the dual SD slots I needed for professional work.

Aside from gear, I put money into the essentials: setting up my website, buying my domain, getting a professional email, and creating my branding.

Getting my first clients was a mix of word-of-mouth and strategic advertising. I listed my services on Thumbtack, knowing it would require an upfront investment, but it was a way to get my name out there. From there, things started snowballing. Clients left great reviews, which led to referrals, and soon I was getting repeat business.

The biggest advantage I had was taking my time. Because I kept my corporate job for the first year, I was able to grow my business without financial pressure. I never had to take out a loan or go into debt—I funded everything by reinvesting what I earned, making upgrades when I truly needed them, and focusing on sustainable growth.

Looking back, I’m proud of how I built this business in a way that felt organic and intentional. I didn’t just throw money at it and hope for the best. I made decisions that made sense for where I was at each stage, and that allowed me to turn photography from a hobby into a full-time career.

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 of the hardest lessons I had to unlearn was tying my identity and self-worth to my corporate career. For years, I was a corporate girl boss—thriving in structured environments, hitting performance goals, leading teams, and feeling like I had “made it” in the professional world. My job title, salary, and career progression all felt like clear markers of success. Then I walked away from that to run my own business and had to redefine my markers of success and how I defined my value

I knew I wanted a change. I knew photography had always been something I loved. But the moment I went full-time with my business, imposter syndrome hit me like a truck. Suddenly, I wasn’t the person with years of experience in a well-established industry—I was the new kid on the block, figuring things out as I went. It was easy to feel like I had no idea what I was doing, especially in a creative field where comparison is everywhere. I’d scroll through Instagram and see other photographers with years of experience, huge followings, and polished portfolios, and I’d think, Who am I to call myself a professional photographer?

The biggest struggle wasn’t just learning the business side of things—it was convincing myself that I belonged here, impostor syndrome exists in places you don’t expect I had to unlearn the idea that success only looks one way. In the corporate world, success was measurable—promotions, bonuses, performance reviews. As a business owner, success is so much more personal. Some days, it looks like booking a dream client. Other days, it’s just getting through a slow season without panicking. As a photographer, success isn’t about being better than others—it’s about finding my own voice, my own style, and building relationships with my clients.

I still battle imposter syndrome. I still catch myself comparing my work to others. But I’ve learned to shift my focus. Instead of measuring myself against someone else’s highlight reel, I look at how far I’ve come. I remind myself that I built this business from the ground up. That my clients come back because they love what I do. That I get to wake up every day and create something that means something to people.

Unlearning the idea that I had to fit into a certain mold to be successful has been a process, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve gone from defining myself by my job title to building something entirely my own. And even on the hardest days, that feels like the biggest success of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sevendorfs.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_dorfs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554159240087
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seven-dorfs-photography-selma

Image Credits

@SevenDorfsPhotography