We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Catie Eovaldi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Catie below.
Catie, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I am absolutely happier working as a photographer than I ever was working an office job, but sometimes I do doubt myself and think about going back to an office setting. Usually this thought happens during my slow season. Living in Michigan, I don’t work many weddings or do photo sessions during the winter so I always go through this cycle of self-doubt during my slow periods thinking about going back to the office.
Owning a business and being a creative is a wonderful challenge. As creatives, we’re constantly trying to evolve and stay creative. It can be difficult sometimes to stay inspired, but I always come to the conclusion that I won’t go back to an office setting full time unless I absolutely have to. Going back to the office for me would be easy. I have always been great with administrative work and running an office (it’s what I did before being a full-time photographer), and it would be easy for me to go back into that world. Owning a business and being a creative continuously challenges me to grow, and that’s truly what I love about this job.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Catie Eovaldi and I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in eastern Michigan. I do a lot of work with both engaged and non-engaged couples, boudoir, and families in addition to weddings. 2025 will be my third year in business.
I started photography as a hobby way back when I was in high school taking senior portraits for friends, but didn’t officially go into business until a couple years ago. I also switched specialties from senior portraits to weddings. My favorite part of being a wedding photographer is having that front row seat to the best day of someone’s life. I get to witness all the love and happiness in that room while documenting it for you to look back on throughout the rest of your life. I love preserving all of those memories for you to look back on.
I really strive to make the entire process of wedding photography stress-free for my clients. From that initial inquiry with me to after gallery delivery day, I work with my couples every step of the way to help them with their photography and even their planning needs.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I love reading and push myself to read some non-fiction books throughout the year to help further myself as a business owner. I’m a big fan of the Simplified brand- they’re a company that makes planners and the owner is also an author. I enjoyed the Simplified podcast and the books “Growing Boldly” and “Grace Not Perfection”. They aren’t 100% geared towards business but it really has helped put things in perspective for me when managing a business and family and being a wife.
I enjoyed reading “Mindset” by Carol Dweck. It’s all about changing your thinking to a growth mindset. It was actually a required read when I worked for Hagerty insurance a few years ago, but I did a re-read when I went full-time for photography.
I also listen to podcasts to learn and grow in my industry. A couple I like to listen to are the Passion with Purpose by Nathan Chanski and The Vendor Table Podcasts. Nathan Chanski covers a lot of topics on how to grow your photography business through marketing and mindset. The Vendor Table is actually a couple of photographers talking about a bunch of different things. Back end work for photographers, processes for other types of vendors in weddings, etc. That one is geared more for wedding professionals or even couples planning weddings, but is still really informative.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is seeing that smile on someone’s face when they are looking through their photo gallery or getting that “oh my gosh, these are amazing” text after gallery delivery. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing my clients are over the moon happy with the services I provided.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catieeovaldiphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catieeovaldiphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Catie-Eovaldi-Photography-100091636187590/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/catieeovaldiphoto/
https://junebugweddings.com/vendors/wedding-photographers/michigan/Catie-Eovaldi-Photography-LLC
https://www.stylemepretty.com/vendor-profile/catie-eovaldi-photography-llc
Image Credits
Catie Eovaldi Photography LLC