We were lucky to catch up with Heather Weseman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

How I Started My Photography Business

Starting my photography business was both exciting and overwhelming. I didn’t go to school for photography, but I’ve always loved capturing moments through a lens. In the beginning, I felt incredibly insecure, unsure if I had what it took to make this passion into something real. But my husband was my biggest cheerleader—he constantly encouraged me to keep going, to believe in the gift God had placed in me.

I spent hours upon hours watching YouTube tutorials, took online photography classes, and dove deep into researching the best equipment. It was a learning curve, but one I was determined to climb. Building my own website was a huge step—it made everything feel official and gave me the confidence to say, “Yes, I’m doing this.”

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting the most amazing people through photography—some have even become lifelong friends. I’ve captured moments from both the hardest seasons, like a family’s last photo session together, and the most joyful—weddings, graduations, and everything in between. Each story I photograph is a sacred one, and I never take that lightly.

Now, over ten years later, I can honestly say it’s been an incredible journey. My business has grown steadily, and every year just gets busier. I’ve even started incorporating AI services into my workflow, which has helped me streamline my editing and focus more on what I love—connecting with people and capturing memories that last a lifetime.

What started as a hesitant hobby has grown into an amazing part-time job that I absolutely love. And I’m so grateful for every step along the way.

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 photography brand is rooted in connection, authenticity, and storytelling. I don’t just take pictures—I capture moments that matter. Whether it’s the quiet in-between glances of a couple on their wedding day, the joy of a graduating senior, or the tenderness of a family holding onto time, I’m always looking for the emotion behind the moment.

My style is warm, natural, and heartfelt. I love genuine laughter, golden light, and the kind of images that make you feel something. I want my clients to look at their photos years from now and be transported right back to that day—the sounds, the smells, the feelings.

I believe in creating a relaxed, encouraging experience where you can just be yourself. Many people step in front of the camera feeling nervous or unsure (I’ve been there too), but my goal is to help you feel seen, confident, and beautiful in your own story.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the joy of working with incredible families, seniors, couples, and individuals. Some sessions have been full of laughter, others tender and emotional—but every one has reminded me why I love this work.

This brand isn’t just about photography—it’s about preserving what matters most in a way that’s true to who you are.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The heart of my business has always been word of mouth. Most of my new clients come through referrals, and there’s nothing more meaningful than knowing someone trusted me enough to recommend me to a friend. It’s the highest compliment I could receive.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

A Hard Lesson That Made Me Better

One of the hardest moments in my photography journey was when I missed a client’s appointment—completely by accident. They had driven over 30 minutes to meet me for their session, but I had made a mistake in scheduling and wasn’t expecting them that day. To make things worse, I had left my phone at home, so they were trying to call me while walking around outside my house, wondering what was going on.

When I realized what had happened, my heart sank. I felt horrible. I never want anyone to feel unimportant or forgotten—especially not when they’ve trusted me with their time and memories.

But in the middle of my embarrassment and regret, my client was incredibly gracious. They showed me so much kindness and understanding, even though I knew they had every right to be frustrated. That meant the world to me, and I’ll never forget it.

That experience humbled me and taught me an important lesson about the need for better organization. I immediately invested in a professional scheduling program, and it has completely changed the way I manage sessions. Since then, I’ve never missed another appointment. It keeps me on track, my clients informed, and everything running smoothly.

Mistakes happen, but I’m grateful for the way this one pushed me to grow. It made me better—and it made my business better too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hmomentsbyheatherwesemanphotography.photobiz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momentsbyheatherweseman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572965233426

Image Credits

Heather Weseman