We were lucky to catch up with Emily Stuckey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope I am remembered for the impact I make on individual people. I think some are called to impact the masses and that is awesome, but some are called to impact on an individual level. I want people to remember me by the love I show them that can only come from Jesus.

Documenting memories is only half of what I love. Of course it is amazing when I get to deliver a wedding album that will be passed down for generations, but I hope the couple is telling their grandkids “She brought so much comfort and peace to our wedding day!”

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?

I am Emily, lover of Jesus, family, horses and all things cozy! I drink hot coffee ALL year long. My ideal holiday is spending time with my whole family, I don’t even care where we are!

My first camera was a Christmas gift when I was 16. I started doing photos for my own family. Then friends of family, then a family who I didn’t know offered me money to take their photos! I was hooked. When I was in college I photographed my first wedding (had no idea what I was doing) but knew I LOVED working with couples! In the last two years I have moved from doing families and weddings to doing only weddings and couples. I feel like I am truly stepping into my calling.

A passion for supporting couples on their wedding day is what really inspires me. I LOVE documenting beautiful images. Seeing an album or a blog post come together always amazes me. But my favorite thing is being along for the ride of each couple’s love story. From the excitement of their engagement, to the craziness of wedding planing, their wedding day and even after!

I would love for potential couples to know we will probably end up friends long after their wedding photos have been delivered! I want to be SO MUCH MORE than just another wedding vendor.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think life is a game of pivots in every area. Like almost all business owners 2020 turned my business upside down, inside out, and shook it all about.

To this year (2023) I am still pivoting. In October of 2019 I took the plunge and quit my retail day job. It was the best decision I could have made! However, we all know what was just around the corner.

Fast forward to 2023 and weddings have changed a LOT. Most weddings are more intimate, more relaxed and have a very close and cozy feel. In my area of Western North Carolina an average wedding was about 200 guest. Now, if there are 100 guests it’s considered huge!

The last two years I have focused more on each couple. Instead of saying yes to at least four weddings per month and giving my couple’s a “pretty good” experience I have said yes to one wedding per month and built lasting relationships. I may not have pivoted for a larger profit, but I have never been happier with what I do! My couple’s have also become lasting friends in the process.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I know not all businesses and industries can work this way, but I have never gone in debt for my business!

I started with a Canon Rebel T6 (yep, I’m that old!). I did sessions for friends and family then someone offered $50 for me to do their son’s senior photos. I took it, posted on instagram that I was doing sessions for $50 and went from there.

I was in my late years of high school, so I had a retail job at a clothing store. I was able to invest every bit of money the business made into more equipment. I ate up every piece of free photography education I could. I loved it!

When I had the experience and the equipment I raised my prices. I would stay at that price point until I purchased more gear then I would raise my prices again. Now, here we are!

For a service based business equipment helps, but you can’t beat education and experience. If someone is going back and forth on whether or not they should start a photography business I say go for it! Start where you can, buy the $600 camera, follow inspiring social media accounts, and ask local photographers who inspire you if you can buy them a cup of coffee!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emilylaurenphoto.com
• Instagram: @emilylauren.photo
• Facebook: facebook.com/emilylaurenphoto