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

Cassandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I started my business out of pure passion. Growing up, my dad was the kind of person who always had a camera in his hand—photo, video, you name it. He wanted to capture everything, and I think that rubbed off on me. So when I had the chance to take a film photography class my senior year of high school, I jumped at it. I borrowed my dad’s old film camera (which I still have to this day), and I completely fell in love with the process—shooting, developing, and seeing those images come to life in the darkroom.

After that, photography became my happy place. Through college (I majored in business marketing), I kept taking photos just for fun—pulling friends into spontaneous photoshoots, experimenting with digital, and chasing that same creative spark. My senior year, I had room for some electives and talked my way into the photography department’s film class. Normally it was reserved for art majors, but they let me in, and I spent the whole semester in the darkroom again, creating images with my friends and loving every second of it.

When I graduated and started my first marketing job, I realized something was missing. I missed how photography made me feel—how it allowed me to create something beautiful and show people their own beauty through my lens. That feeling was too important to ignore. So I started my photography business.

To be honest, I didn’t have some big master plan at first—I just knew I wanted that joy in my life again. And even though photography is a saturated field (especially in the age of smartphones), I believed I could offer something different. For me, it’s not just about taking pretty pictures—it’s about creating an experience that helps people feel empowered, celebrated, and truly seen. That’s what drives me every single day.

Cassandra, 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?

I’m a Colorado-based portrait and wedding photographer, and as of this month, I’m officially going full-time in my business (a huge dream come true).

I photograph all kinds of milestone moments—weddings, engagements, senior portraits, families, branding sessions—basically, if it involves people and telling their story, I’m in. Lately, I’ve been adding more video work too. I’ve done archival videography for schools for years, and now I’m bringing that experience to my clients. I’m especially excited about launching a new venture called Everlasting Narratives, which will focus on filming people’s life stories to preserve them for future generations.

What sets me apart isn’t just my work—it’s the way I connect with people and help them see their own beauty. With a unique mix of creative and practical skills (thanks to my background in photography, video, and business marketing), I make every session feel personal and effortless. I love being deeply involved in the planning process, finding creative solutions, and making sure my clients feel confident, comfortable, and like they’re in great hands.

The thing I’m most proud of? It’s how I show up for my clients. Whether it’s a wedding day or a branding session, they get my full attention. I’m there to capture their story in a way that feels true to them—natural, beautiful, and full of life.

At the end of the day, my work isn’t just about creating pretty photos or videos (though we’ll definitely do that!). It’s about giving people an experience that helps them see their own beauty and worth—because that’s the real magic.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience has been a constant theme in my business, but one chapter that really stands out is when I moved to Washington State during the pandemic. I had accepted a 9–5 role with Costco’s photo studio and made the move for that opportunity—but it meant leaving behind everything I had built in Colorado. No client base. No vendor network. And because it was during COVID, there were no in-person events or gatherings to help me get established. It felt like I was starting from zero in a place where I didn’t know a soul.

Instead of letting that stop me, I pivoted. I shifted my focus from building my own client base right away to immersing myself in the Seattle photography community. I joined every Facebook group I could find for local photographers and wedding vendors. I reached out, introduced myself, and offered to second shoot or assist wherever I could. That first summer, I went from having no connections to working nearly every weekend with other Seattle photographers. It wasn’t easy—there were moments when I wondered if I’d ever feel like I belonged in that creative community—but every new contact and every job reminded me why I love this work and why it’s worth fighting for.

That experience taught me that even when things don’t go as planned, I have the grit and creativity to pivot and rebuild. And it showed me the power of community—how investing in relationships can open doors and keep you moving forward, no matter where you are.

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

Yes! But it’s been a journey getting here. I first started photography as a side hustle because I missed it so much after college. I’d studied business marketing, but my real joy was behind the camera—capturing people’s stories and helping them see their own beauty through my lens. So while working full time, I slowly started building my photography business on the side.

I focused on photographing people—weddings, engagements, families, seniors—moments where I could tell real stories through my lens. Each session gave me a chance to refine my style, grow my skills, and build a client base that valued the experience I offered.

In 2023, I decided to take the leap and try photography full time. But it wasn’t the right timing. I had just moved back to Colorado after living in Washington State for two years, so I was rebuilding my clientele from scratch. Plus, it was right after COVID, and I was helping care for a family member. There just wasn’t enough time or stability to make it work, so I went back to a 9–5 while keeping my business as a side gig.

The years since then have been all about steady growth. I kept working on my craft, invested in education and built relationships with clients who kept coming back (and sending their friends my way). I also started branching into video work, using my background in archival videography to add more offerings for weddings and launching a new venture called Everlasting Narratives—a service where I film people sharing their life stories to preserve them for future generations.

Now, it finally feels like the right time to go all in. My client base is strong, I’ve refined my style and process, and I’m ready to give my full attention to the business. It’s scary and exciting, but every milestone—the first wedding I booked, the first time a client cried happy tears seeing their photos, even the times I had to rebuild from the ground up—has led me here. And I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simplycassandra.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycassandraphotos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplycassandraphotos
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersoncassandra/

Image Credits

All me!