We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cheyanne Larsen-Glenn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cheyanne below.

Cheyanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Starting a business often feels like diving into the unknown, and in those early days, the support of family and friends can be the safety net that keeps you afloat. When I first stepped away from my marketing job in 2020 to pursue eLarsen-Glennntrepreneurship, I had no roadmap—just a passion for photography and a dream. My community became my foundation. They didn’t just cheer me on from the sidelines; they stepped up as my first clients, my biggest encouragers, and my most vocal advocates.

In those initial months, I leaned into those relationships, offering free shoots or deeply discounted services. I didn’t think of it as giving away my work for free—I thought of it as planting seeds. By helping them with photos they needed or content they wanted, I was creating a ripple effect of support. When they shared my work with their own friends and networks, they were essentially marketing my business for me. And let me tell you, word-of-mouth referrals from people who genuinely believe in you are worth more than any paid ad.

Of course, as the business grew, so did the complexity of those dynamics. Charging family and friends can feel awkward—it’s like putting a price tag on a relationship. For the longest time, I avoided it because I didn’t want them to feel like I valued money over our connection. But the truth is, my work *is* my livelihood. After about a year, I began transitioning to a discounted rate for family and friends. It was a tough shift, but a necessary one. I realized that if I didn’t set those boundaries, I risked undervaluing not only my work but also the energy and time I was investing.

What I learned along the way is that the people who truly care about you *want* to support your business, not just benefit from it. They want to see you thrive, and they understand that their referrals, reviews, and willingness to pay your rates are all part of that. And when you approach those conversations with honesty and gratitude, you’d be surprised how many of them respond with enthusiasm rather than hesitation.

So, if you’re in the early stages of a business, don’t hesitate to lean on your community. It’s okay to ask for their support, whether that’s through sharing your work, leaving a glowing review, or even just hyping you up on social media. And when it comes time to charge, don’t shy away from it—communicate your value, set your boundaries, and trust that the people who love you will understand. Your business may start with the support of friends and family, but with their help, it can grow far beyond that foundation.

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

Hi, I’m Cheyanne Larsen-Glenn, the founder of Lars Creative Co., a photography and content creation business built on a love for capturing meaningful moments. My journey into photography started young, thanks to my dad, Jack Larsen, who always had a camera in hand. He taught me the fundamentals of composition and lighting, but more importantly, he showed me the beauty of preserving life’s fleeting moments. My early work was simple—portraits of my nieces and friends—but it was in college, after taking a film photography class and navigating the loss of my mom, that I truly understood the emotional depth of photography. It became a way to honor memories, both big and small, and to hold onto the moments that might otherwise slip away.

In 2021, I took a leap of faith, leaving my marketing job to pursue photography full-time. Those early days were fueled by saying “yes” to everything—graduation photos, family portraits, you name it. But as I gained experience, I discovered my heart belonged to wedding photography. There’s something magical about being part of a couple’s most important day, witnessing the raw emotions and unique love stories, and capturing them in a way that feels authentic and timeless.

At Lars Creative Co., we’re all about storytelling. Our approach is centered on real, candid moments—those quiet in-between instances that often say more than posed shots ever could. Weddings aren’t just ceremonies to us; they’re once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And our job is to make sure our clients not only feel beautiful and confident but also genuinely *present* in the moment. We want them to trust that we’ll be there, catching every laugh, every tear, every fleeting glance, so they can relive those memories forever.

In 2023, after relocating from Texas to Oregon, I expanded Lars Creative Co. into a dynamic, women-owned business. Alongside my best friend, Mykala Ross, we now offer not only photography but also content creation services through Lars Social Co., helping small businesses craft an authentic online presence. With a team of three, we specialize in social media management, branding, and storytelling through visuals.

What sets us apart is our personal touch. My clients aren’t just clients—they become friends. I take pride in building real connections, creating a space where they feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Whether I’m photographing a couple on their wedding day, capturing family portraits, or helping a business tell its story, my goal is always the same: to deliver work that feels personal, authentic, and unforgettable.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing Lars Creative Co. and Lars Social Co., bringing my passion for photography, storytelling, and community to more clients. Whether it’s through a wedding gallery, a branding shoot, or a perfectly curated Instagram feed, I’m here to help people hold onto the moments that matter most and put their best foot forward. At the heart of it all, it’s about connection—and that’s what drives everything I do.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is one of those things that gets tested constantly when you’re running a business—it’s not a one-and-done kind of lesson. For me, being a business owner has been a masterclass in learning how to push through the hard days and show up for myself, even when every fiber of my being is screaming, *Wouldn’t it be easier to just quit and get a “real” job?* Spoiler alert: the answer is yes, it *would* be easier, but it wouldn’t be worth it.

One story that stands out happened when I decided to uproot my life and business from Texas to Portland in 2023. Moving to a new city sounds romantic and exciting, but as a business owner, it was terrifying. I had spent two years building Lars Creative Co. in Texas, relying heavily on family, friends, and word-of-mouth referrals. Starting over in Portland meant leaving that safety net behind. I had no network, no client base, and honestly, no idea how I was going to make it work.

The first winter in Portland hit me hard—seasonal depression, limited sunlight, and the crushing reality that I had to rebuild from the ground up. I wasn’t booking enough clients, and there were days when I stared at my computer applying for jobs, wondering if I had made the biggest mistake of my life. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly feeling like the HBIC (Head Bitch In Charge).

But here’s the thing about resilience—it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. In those moments of doubt, I forced myself to take small steps forward. I went to networking events (even though they made my introverted self want to hide under a table). I joined local Facebook groups to connect with other wedding vendors. I offered free mini sessions to get my foot in the door with potential clients. Slowly but surely, those small actions started to build momentum.

One of the most pivotal lessons I learned during that time was that resilience doesn’t mean going it alone. I leaned on my online community for encouragement, reached out to fellow creatives for advice, and leaned into my partner, Tomas, who reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. He kept me grounded and gave me the push I needed on days when I felt like giving up.

I also shifted my mindset from *hustle, hustle, hustle* to focusing on alignment. Instead of trying to book *any* client, I decided to attract the right ones—people who aligned with my style and vision. That shift allowed me to redefine the kind of business I wanted to run, which ultimately made my work more fulfilling.

Looking back, I’m proud of the way I handled that season of my life. It wasn’t glamorous or easy, but it taught me that resilience is about showing up for yourself, even when the odds aren’t in your favor. It’s about trusting that every small step, no matter how insignificant it seems, is moving you toward something greater. And now, every time I meet a new client, I’m reminded that all those sleepless nights and moments of doubt were worth it.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

The story of how Mykala and I met feels like one of those perfectly serendipitous moments you only see in movies. We first crossed paths at a wedding vendor event—me, the new girl in Portland trying to network and make connections, and her, radiating warmth with a smile that made me think, *This is someone I need to know.*

I was nervous that day, completely out of my comfort zone, and searching for any friendly face to help me get through it. Mykala was the first person I approached, and within seconds, it became clear we were kindred spirits. Turns out, she was just as anxious as I was! We laughed about how we were each other’s lifeline for the rest of the event and stuck together like we’d known each other forever.

What stood out to me immediately about Mykala was her energy—it’s calming, magnetic, and downright contagious. People often tell us we have this radiant vibe that instantly puts them at ease, and honestly, that’s our secret sauce. We don’t just aim to capture beautiful photos and videos; we create a space where people feel comfortable enough to be their authentic selves. That day at the event, Mykala and I realized we had that same magic with each other.

Funny enough, it wasn’t just our personalities that clicked; it was our shared passions too. We bonded over photography, our mutual love of comedies, and a serious appreciation for dumplings (because let’s be honest, dumplings are life). But beyond all that, we connected over our love for storytelling and preserving meaningful moments. Mykala shared how her passion for content creation came from her own wedding experience. She wished she’d had more videos to look back on and relive those once-in-a-lifetime moments, and that desire to give others what she didn’t have inspired her work.

Fast forward a bit, and we knew we had something special. Combining our talents and businesses felt like the most natural next step. Mykala brings a deep sense of purpose to everything she does, and I couldn’t imagine a better partner to grow Lars Creative Co. with. Together, we’ve built more than a business; we’ve built a partnership that thrives on making our clients feel seen, celebrated, and totally at ease. We’re here to not only document your most precious memories but also to create an experience that feels as effortless and joyful as possible. And yes, we’ll probably make you laugh along the way—because that’s just who we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.larscreativeco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larscreativeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larscreativeco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyannejlarsen/

Image Credits