We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassidy Cygan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cassidy, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Whether it’s a wedding or couples session, my goal is to always create moments that make you feel everything. That take you back to how you felt in that exact moment, bring all of those emotions back to life. I crave the feeling of nostalgia so much and I want my couples to feel the exact way I do when looking back at photos. Wedding days truly flash before your eyes, and my responsibility is to create those moments to look back on and in a way refresh your memory of a specific part of your day. If I can bring back all of that nostalgia with at least one couple, my goal is met.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a travel wedding and elopement photographer based out of Mesa, AZ but traveling anywhere my couples bring me. A few things to know about me – I love pizza, the beach, Morgan Wallen, the Buffalo Bills and so many more things I could list but we’d be here for awhile. I was first interested in photography at age 6. I took photos on a disposable camera at the beach and fell in love with the feeling of being able to create whatever I wanted. I offer couples sessions, engagement sessions, weddings and elopements. One thing that sets me apart is that I’m not scared to chase after my dreams. I lived in a small farm town in Western New York my whole life up until I was 23 years old and moved to Arizona a little over a year ago. I moved to Arizona to pursue my photography business. I saw the potential I had here, I knew there was a far greater opportunity for me so I took the risk and left my small town where that was all I knew for the desert. Not a lot of people can say they picked up everything they had and moved across the country. Since moving here my business has been thriving and I’ve truly blossomed as a person. For that I’m so proud of myself.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Being my true authentic self. You can really see the kind of person you are by how you portray yourself online. I’ll admit when I first started out on social media I was looking at what everyone else was doing and playing the comparison game, It’s okay to envy someone, but don’t let that take away from who you’re trying to be. It can be difficult and even scary to open up at first but, your followers want you to show up as you and only you. That’s why they follow you, right?
If you’re just starting out on the social media, the once piece of advice I have to offer is to be who you truly are in everything that you do. That speaks volume to people.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Nathan Chanski, a wedding photographer out in Michigan came out with a podcast in 2022 called ‘Passion with Purpose.’ He touches on education and knowledge on wedding photography and being an entrepreneur. At least one point in every episode I’m left speechless after what he’s said. The impact he’s had on me as well as many other photographers is immense. He has put so many things into perspective for me and has taught me so much that I’m able to apply in all aspects of my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cassidychristinephoto.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassidychristinephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassidychristinephoto/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/cassidychristinephoto/
Image Credits
Cassidy Christine Photography