We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eliza a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Eliza thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

My journey into creative entrepreneurship really started when I was a kid, thanks to my parents, especially my mom. She would let me use her old camcorder and cameras and let me explore and experiment taking photos and making “movies.” In middle school, she gave me my first DSLR camera, a Nikon, and signed me up for a photography class. I still have the handwritten notes from that class tucked into my old camera bag. Back then, I loved photography, but I never imagined it could become a real career.

Growing up, I watched my parents run a small business in the mechanic industry. They worked long hours, put everyone else first (and still do), and built something great from scratch. That left a huge impression on me. I knew early on that if I ever built something of my own, it would have to be built on hard work, heart, and a real connection to people.

When I went to college, I studied Digital Media, Arts, and Technology, with a minor in marketing. I loved it, but I didn’t know exactly where it would lead. Then my friends started asking me to take their graduation photos. Those early sessions were so much fun and made me realize how much I loved capturing real, meaningful moments.

Around the same time, an internship at a small marketing agency introduced me to SEO. It opened up a whole new world where creativity and strategy came together. I ended up building a career in SEO, working for top agencies and learning from some of the best industry leaders. I gained a deep technical foundation, but even more importantly, I learned how to adapt to real-world changes, keep people at the center of strategy, and build sustainable growth over time.

Photography and SEO may seem like separate worlds, but to me, they are deeply connected. Both are about understanding people, telling stories, and building something that lasts. And as I spent more time in the creative world, I noticed a huge gap. So many photographers, filmmakers, and creatives pour everything into their craft but struggle to be seen because their websites are not built to perform. I saw incredible talent being held back by technical roadblocks that were completely fixable.

That realization sparked something in me. I decided to create a space where I could offer both creative services and SEO support, built from real experience and real care. I launched Optimize with Eliza to help creatives get found, grow their businesses, and connect with the clients they are meant to serve.

At the same time, I continued to grow my own photography business. I specialize in working with couples, capturing genuine, candid moments that tell their real story. Photography has always felt like home to me. It is where my love for creativity, connection, and storytelling all come together.

I knew this was worth building because of how much I care about the people behind the work. SEO metrics and performance absolutely matter, and I take that side of the business seriously. But beyond the data, what drives me is knowing that the work I do helps real people build their dreams and connect with their communities. Success to me is about growth with purpose — growth that feels as good as it looks on paper.

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?

My name is Eliza Greenawalt, and I’m a creative and couples photographer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the founder of Optimize with Eliza, where I offer SEO services for photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and other creatives who want to build stronger, more connected businesses organically.

My journey into photography started early. I was one of those endlessly curious and creative kids who was always dreaming something up. Whether it was turning the woods behind our house into an imaginary world or borrowing my mom’s camcorder to make little “movies” with my cousins, I always had a need to create and capture what I saw. My parents recognized that spark in me early on, and my mom encouraged me to pursue it deeper and helped me with the resources to get started.

Growing up in a rural area with nothing but trees and imagination taught me to see beauty in the everyday and to appreciate fleeting moments that others might overlook. I was always moving, always creating, and always finding something to document — whether it was convincing my friends and family to model for me, taking endless photos on my mom’s camera, snapping everything I could on my old blue digital camera, or eventually carrying my cell phone everywhere just to capture the smallest moments. That need to preserve what I was experiencing never left me.

Even as an energetic kid who never really slowed down, I felt an urgency to hold onto moments as they happened. It wasn’t about sitting still — it was about noticing, feeling, and capturing life as it rushed by.

That pull grew stronger when my mom gifted me my first DSLR camera and signed me up for a photography class. It gave me the creative outlet I needed and planted the seeds for what would eventually become my career. Although I started photographing friends’ graduation sessions in college, what stayed with me was how joyful it felt to celebrate someone’s story. I was mindful before, during, and after each session, excited to honor their accomplishments, their love, and their happiness.

Today, my photography offerings include creative portraits, local weddings, travel and destination weddings, elopements, and couples sessions. I love working with people who want their story captured in a way that feels real, meaningful, and thoughtfully crafted. Whether we are planning a session locally or traveling across or out of the country together, I prioritize creative planning that helps couples and individuals feel seen, prepared, excited, and valued.

Through Optimize with Eliza, I work with small businesses across industries, with a special heart for helping other creatives. I provide SEO audits, website optimization, strategy guidance, and education — all with the goal of helping people strengthen their presence and build consistent, organic growth over time.

A big part of what sets my work apart is my emphasis on planning with intention. Preparation is a form of care. Whether it’s sourcing inspiration and building a vision board for a photo session, or creating a detailed timeline for a couple’s wedding day, I want my clients to feel confident, supported, and free to be fully present in the moment.

Storytelling is at the center of everything I do. I never want what we create together to feel like something you are just checking off a list. Every project, every session, every strategy deserves to feel authentic, personal, and full of heart.

What I am most proud of is how much genuine care and thought I bring to my work — not just in words, but in the way I show up for my clients and collaborators. I truly believe that community is stronger than competition. Creative industries grow and thrive when we lift each other up, share knowledge, and create space for everyone’s unique story.

For anyone learning about me for the first time, here is what I want you to know: Your story is worth capturing. Your business is worth growing. You are worth celebrating, in every season and at every stage. When you work with me, you are not just hiring a photographer or a strategist — you are partnering with someone who sees the value in your story and is committed to helping you bring it to life with care, creativity, and strategy. Whether you are documenting a once-in-a-lifetime moment or building something bigger than yourself, I am here to support you with a whole lot of heart.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

For me, the best source of new clients has always been word of mouth and referrals. I think that is true for a lot of creatives, especially in industries built on connection and trust. From the start, I knew that building strong relationships would be crucial to creating a consistently thriving business.

Getting referrals — whether from past clients or other professionals — comes down to providing real value and creating a seamless, memorable experience from start to finish. In photography, that means everything from the first inquiry to the final delivery matters, and even beyond that. Client appreciation should never stop. Nurturing relationships after the final gallery is delivered or the project is complete is a big part of building real trust and connection over time. For Optimize with Eliza, it means showing measurable improvements, true expertise, and consistent support through every stage of the process.

It is easy to talk the talk, especially in industries like marketing, but results speak louder than promises. Building trust means being someone who is communicative, adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely invested in the people you work with. Whether it is navigating travel delays, vendor mishaps, or constant changes in the SEO landscape, showing up with care and flexibility makes all the difference.

At the end of the day, the most effective way to grow a strong, lasting business is to take care of the people you are already serving. When clients feel valued, heard, and supported, they naturally become your biggest advocates. That has been the greatest and most rewarding source of growth in my journey.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting to connect with people in such a meaningful and personal way. Every story, every business, every moment is unique, and having the chance to collaborate with someone on how to bring that vision to life never stops feeling special to me.

Whether it is helping a couple choose a location, designing a set, styling outfits, customizing a timeline, or building a personalized SEO strategy, the most rewarding part is being mindful of each person’s unique life experience. I get to help them tell their story in a way that feels honest, natural, and true to them.

In weddings especially, it never stops amazing me that I get to be the person quietly capturing the moments before the ceremony, the private vows, the deeper connection that unfolds when everything else fades away. Those moments are so precious, and I know they will be cherished forever. Being able to provide the space and opportunity for people to connect even deeper, and capturing that connection in time, feels like my true purpose. It moves me every time.

In my SEO work with Optimize with Eliza, the reward comes from seeing someone’s business thrive. Hearing that they are getting new inquiries from Google, seeing their website climb to the first page for their dream keywords, and knowing that their success means more freedom and happiness for them — THAT is one of the best feelings in the world.

Ultimately, the most rewarding part is being able to help people find what they are looking for, create what they may not be able to envision themselves, and be a reliable, thoughtful resource in helping them bring their dreams to life. Watching people grow, celebrate, and step into their happiest chapters is the greatest joy I could ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elizagreenawalt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizagphotography/?hl=en & https://www.instagram.com/optimizewitheliza/

Image Credits

Eliza G Photography