We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Garrett Museau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Garrett, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
I know you’re not really supposed to say “first client” when it’s a friend, but honestly, my first client was a friend – well friends, they are a couple. It all started with some biking friends I met while working corporate. They not only got me back into my love of biking which is a totally different story. But they asked me to shoot their wedding — before I even knew what to charge — and it ended up being the best first experience I could’ve ever asked for.
Knowing them definitely made it easier, but they also showed me the real flow of a wedding day: getting ready, the ceremony, family portraits, first dance, reception, cake cutting — all of it. They basically walked me through it because, truthfully, I had no idea what I was doing yet.
At first, I didn’t charge them — it was more of a practice and learning experience for me. But that’s where it gets funny. They insisted on paying me. They wrote me a check, I refused. Then they forced it into my hands and I still didn’t cash it. So what did they do? They went and got a cashier’s check — which meant I had no choice but to accept it. It was a hilarious back-and-forth, but honestly, without them (and without my wife, who bought me my first mid-professional camera), I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I’m forever grateful for all of them. Truly blessed.
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?
At Garrett Museau Photography & Cinematography, we focus on capturing real stories in a way that feels genuine, timeless, and true to the people and brands we work with. While a lot of people first know us for our wedding photography and cinematography — covering everything from getting ready moments to ceremonies, receptions, and all the emotions in between. We also specialize in lifestyle photography, working with families, maternity shoots, newborns, and special personal milestones.
On the business side, we create branding photography, promotional videos, and content tailored specifically for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and established brands who want to connect with their audience in a real and meaningful way. We produce everything from professional headshots to full marketing campaigns, interview-style videos, and social media content designed to help businesses tell their story and stand out.
We also have a full real estate photography and videography division, offering high-quality listing photos, cinematic property videos, 3D virtual tours, and aerial drone work to help agents, brokers, and developers market properties at the highest level. Whether it’s a residential home, a commercial space, or a large property development, we provide all the visuals needed to showcase it beautifully and professionally.
Across every project — whether it’s a wedding, a brand story, a real estate listing, or an interview feature — we bring the same mindset: focus on authenticity, make people feel comfortable, and create visuals that truly resonate. What sets us apart is the personal connection we build with every client. We’re not just showing up with a camera and a shot list — we’re showing up to tell your story, whether that’s celebrating your love, growing your business, or capturing a major life milestone. I’m proud that Garrett Museau Photography & Cinematography has grown into a place where real moments are valued and where creativity, quality, and genuine storytelling are at the center of everything we do.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One story that really shows my resilience is how I had to start when it came to buying gear. When I first decided to take photography and cinematography seriously, I quickly realized how expensive everything was — cameras, lenses, lighting, audio gear — it all added up fast. Honestly, I couldn’t really afford what I needed. I really did not have a lot saved up for this, and I was still working a regular corporate job at the time.
I had to start small. My wife actually bought me my first mid-professional camera because she believed in me before I fully believed in myself. From there, every upgrade — every lens, every new piece of equipment — came from money I made hustling smaller jobs, saving every extra dollar, and reinvesting it back into the business. There were plenty of times when I could have been discouraged, when it felt like I was so far behind other photographers who already had the top-of-the-line setups.
But instead of letting that get to me, I focused on what I did have — not what I didn’t. I used the gear I had to the fullest, focused on learning the craft, and made sure that my passion, creativity, and connection with people came through in every shoot, no matter what camera was in my hand. Over time, by staying consistent and not giving up, I was able to build the business up piece by piece.
Looking back, starting small taught me a lot about grit, patience, and valuing the process. It made me appreciate every step of the journey. Even now, as my business has grown into weddings, family work, real estate photography, aerial work, branding content, and marketing videos for businesses, I never forget those early days — when it was just me, a basic camera, and a big dream.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A big pivot point for me came during the pandemic, but honestly, the setup for it started even before then. I had already scaled back to part-time in my corporate job because the business had grown enough that I didn’t need to rely on it full-time. Garrett Museau Photography & Cinematography was already picking up momentum, and I was starting to see what could happen if I had more time to really focus on it.
When COVID hit, I delightfully took a leave of absence from my corporate job. Instead of panicking, I looked at it as an opportunity. I used that time to double down on the business — working on my craft, building stronger systems, upgrading equipment where I could, and leaning into every opportunity that came my way. Micro-weddings started to become a huge thing, and with smaller, more intimate events, couples were even more intentional about who they trusted to capture their day. That gave me the chance to really showcase what I could do: tell real stories with heart and authenticity.
The business didn’t just survive during the pandemic — it thrived. When the corporate job eventually called asking if I wanted to come back, the decision was easy. I didn’t need the income or the “security” anymore — the business had already become more successful than I ever could have imagined, even during a time when a lot of industries were struggling.
That experience taught me that sometimes the scary, uncertain moments are actually the doorway to your next level. I’m grateful I was ready to bet on myself when the opportunity came — because that decision changed my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Garrettmuseau.com
- Instagram: @garrettmuseauphotography
- Facebook: @garrettmuseauphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/garrett-museau-photography
- Youtube: @garrettmuseauphotography
