We were lucky to catch up with Cassidy Rea recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cassidy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

Vacations are a must! As a photographer the inquiries and questions will never stop rolling in. I’m very guilty of checking my email 100 times a day and still feeling the need to do that when on vacation. The truth is, if someone values your work, they most likely value your time. Have I lost clients for responding too slow when traveling? Of course, but they probably weren’t my ideal client. Vacations look different for everyone and there’s some sort of disconnect that any entrepreneur can achieve. Maybe it means a staycation for 2 nights so you’re close enough to come to the rescue if needed. Once you feel confident stepping away you can move on to further distances and longer trips. Maybe not as frequently as you’d like, but some sort of reset and reward for yourself is incredibly important and should be prioritized.

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

Hi! I’m Cassidy Rea, a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Columbus, OH. My husband Brad and I run CB Creative, most notably known as “Cass and Brad”, where we offer photo and video services with a playful, heartfelt approach. We specialize in weddings but also capture proposals, engagements, family, maternity, and newborn sessions.

I stumbled into photography six years ago when I picked up one of Brad’s cameras. He was already a videographer when we met and I made him pose for me. That quickly turned into roping in any family member willing to let me practice, and before long, people in my community started asking me to photograph them too. It was all very organic, but it didn’t take long before I realized I had found something I truly loved and was good at.

What makes cb creative a little different is that we’re a husband-and-wife team offering both photography and videography…a rare combo that helps make the process simpler and more seamless for couples. Fewer vendors to manage, better communication, and built-in creative synergy. We also pride ourselves on incredibly fast turnaround times: sneak peeks within 24 hours and a social media teaser video within a week!

Since we’ve been through the wedding experience ourselves, we know how overwhelming it can feel and we’re there to be more than just vendors. We bring a calm, encouraging energy, offer both male and female perspectives, and often walk away as friends with our couples. In fact, we stay in touch with many of them long after the wedding day.

The most meaningful part of our work is knowing that we’re preserving moments that matter – the tear down your dad’s cheek, your last photo with grandma, the way your partner looked at you when no one else was watching. That’s what drives us. We don’t just document a day; we give people something real to hold onto forever.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has honestly been staying authentic and transparent in everything we do. No hidden fees, no confusing packages, just straightforward communication and a genuine desire to serve our couples well. We focus on creating a stress-free, personal experience, and that really resonates. Most of our growth has come from real couples sharing their real experiences with friends and family and that kind of word-of-mouth referral has created a domino effect we’re so grateful for. When people feel seen, cared for, and confident in what they’re getting, they naturally want to share that.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Our mission has always been about more than just capturing beautiful images, it’s about playing a meaningful role in as many love stories as we can. We feel incredibly honored every time a couple trusts us with their memories, and that never gets old. While we’re based in Ohio and recently expanded into Chicago, we have big dreams of continuing to grow across the U.S. and eventually even Europe.

On a personal level, one of the things that drives me most is showing our two kids what it looks like to build something with heart. They have a front row seat to all of it – the early mornings, the late nights, the challenges and the wins. We love that they’re learning firsthand how hard work and persistence can lead to a fulfilling and creative life. That’s a huge part of the “why” behind what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cassandbrad.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cass.and.brad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassandbrad
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/cbcreative

  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cass.and.brad