We recently connected with Cassie Riley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Photography has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, I was that friend who never showed up without a camera in hand. Whether it was a school event, a sports game, or party, I was there capturing the moments.

I took a few photography classes in high school, where I got my first taste of the basics and even worked with film. But most of what I know today came from trial and error, late nights digging through free online resources, and gaining knowledge from fellow photographers I’ve met along the way.

To this day, I’m constantly learning—and that’s one of the things I love most about photography. There’s always a new technique to try or a creative idea to explore. Looking back, I sometimes wish I’d taken a few more formal classes or even added a photography minor in college as it might have helped speed up my learning. But honestly, the hands-on experience I’ve had over the years has been invaluable.

One of the most essential lessons I’ve learned is mastering lighting and learning to adapt. Things don’t always go as planned (unexpected rain, last minute location change, gear malfunction) but if you learn to be able to shoot in all sorts of settings you can easily adjust and make most situations a successful shoot!

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.

My photography journey really began back in high school, where I started picking up a camera to shoot sports games for fun. My brother played baseball and I played softball, so sports photography has always held a special place in my heart. That early passion eventually led to one of the coolest opportunities I’ve had—working as a team photographer for the Worcester Red Sox. That role helped shape me into the photographer I am today.

This position taught me so much about photography—from understanding proper camera settings in a variety of situations to developing a solid post-shoot workflow. I’m incredibly grateful for that experience and for the creative professionals I had the chance to work alongside and learn from. While sports sparked my interest, my work had expanded to cover a wide range of photography, including weddings, engagements, family sessions, portraits, pets, events, and headshots.

Another one of my passions is music. I used to attend as many concerts as possible and always dreamed of one day being cool enough to photograph live shows. That dream brought me to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022. Since moving here, I’ve had the privilege of shooting for several artists, bands, and music events, and I can confidently say it’s one of my favorite things to do.

By day, I work as a photographer for the State of Tennessee, but outside of that, I dive into every creative opportunity I can find. It wouldn’t be a true interview about me without mentioning my two rescue pups, Bear and Koda. They’ve been my most adorable (and patient!) models over the years. I’ve also volunteered my time photographing animals for local shelters, as it is something I’m truly passionate about and look forward to doing more of in the future.

What I’m most proud of, though, is the experience I create for my clients and friends. I know that being in front of a camera can sometimes feel awkward or intimidating, so my goal is always to help people feel confident, comfortable, and authentically themselves. There’s nothing better than watching someone light up when they see a photo that truly captures who they are or making them feel great about themselves. In a world that can sometimes feel chaotic and overwhelming, I love bringing out the beauty in people and helping them tell their stories.

I have a deep love for storytelling through images. Photography preserves memories. It’s about freezing a moment in time that people can return to again and again, even long after the moment has passed. Being able to offer that to people is something I truly cherish.

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

What started as a photography side hustle actually helped me land my current role as a full-time photographer for the State of Tennessee. The wide range of creative projects I took on over the years really helped me stand out from other candidates during the hiring process.

In the early days, I said yes to just about every opportunity that came my way, and I’m so glad I did. Those experiences taught me a lot about who I am as a photographer, what types of work I enjoy most, and how to adapt and make the most out of any job.

Although photography is now my full-time profession, it’s still very much my creative outlet and passion. I love that I can continue taking on freelance projects and explore as many creative opportunities as I want!

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

Social media and word of mouth have been the most effective ways for me to connect with new clients and find photo jobs. In fact, I landed my role with the Worcester Red Sox after someone on their team came across my photography on Twitter. I’ve also had some success with clients finding me through Instagram.

That said, word of mouth has been, by far, the most powerful tool for growing my business. When you provide a positive experience and good-quality work, people naturally want to share that with others. It’s incredibly rewarding to see new clients come in through referrals, and it’s how I’ve built a client base over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cassrileyphoto.myportfolio.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassrileyphoto

Image Credits

All taken by me :)