Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lizzie Burton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lizzie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
It’s true that a lot of people see the success of a business and assume it happened quickly, but in reality, the “middle phase” is often the most defining part of the journey. For me, what really propelled my business forward wasn’t a fancy marketing campaign or viral moment — it was something unexpected and honestly a little unconventional: I offered to shoot weddings for free across the U.S., as long as the couple covered my travel expenses.
I extended this opportunity in places like Montana, Colorado, Texas, Hawaii, and even the Cayman Islands. Each experience was completely different, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. One wedding in Colorado was a beautiful two-day Turkish celebration — I had never photographed anything like it before. While the work was intense (and the editing afterward was no joke), it taught me so much about cultural traditions, pacing, and being adaptable. Though it wasn’t the most financially rewarding, the experience was invaluable.
On the flip side, I’ll never forget a wedding I shot in Texas. The couple was deeply rooted in their faith, and the love that radiated from their entire community was truly overwhelming. They welcomed me like family — I was invited to their rehearsal dinner, morning Pilates with the bride and bridesmaids (which absolutely kicked our butts!), and every other intimate part of their weekend. That wedding reminded me why I do what I do — and to this day, those photos are some of my best work and the ones I chose to share in this feature.
Offering free weddings might sound crazy from a business perspective, but it gave me more than just portfolio pieces. It gave me real-world experience in all sorts of lighting, environments, and cultures. It strengthened my communication skills and helped me learn how to handle any curveball with grace. It expanded my reach, grew my network, and honestly helped me become a better photographer for every client I serve today.
Scaling up for me wasn’t about instant bookings or going viral — it was about showing up with heart, hustle, and a deep belief in long-term growth. It was a slow build, yes, but it was worth every mile, every mistake, and every memory made along the way.
Lizzie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, I’m Lizzie — the photographer and heart behind Golden Honey Photography. I specialize in wedding and portrait photography that’s not just beautiful, but deeply personal, intentional, and joy-filled. My style is rooted in storytelling: the quiet in-between moments, the big belly laughs, the teary-eyed vows — all the real stuff that makes your love story yours.
I first fell in love with photography the way many creatives do — by capturing the people I love. But what started as a hobby quickly turned into a calling. I’ve always been drawn to connection, to human emotion, and to the idea of preserving memories in a way that feels honest and timeless. Once I photographed my first wedding, I knew I had found my place.
Golden Honey Photography was built on warmth — the name itself comes from the golden glow of sunset (a favorite lighting time of mine!) and the sweetness of life’s most meaningful moments. I work with couples who care deeply about their people and their story — who want their wedding day to be more about presence than perfection. I offer wedding photography, engagement sessions, and portrait work, but what I really provide is peace of mind. I take the stress out of the photography experience so my clients can be fully immersed in their day while knowing every moment is being thoughtfully and beautifully documented.
What sets me apart isn’t just my editing style or how I compose a shot — it’s the way I immerse myself in each couple’s day with intention, heart, and purpose. I don’t just show up with a camera and a shot list — I show up as someone who’s deeply invested in preserving the emotion and essence of the day. I take time to build genuine trust with my clients so that by the time the wedding arrives, it doesn’t feel like I’m just a vendor — I feel like a trusted friend who happens to be capturing your story.
From the first inquiry to the final gallery delivery, I’m here to serve — not just with beautiful images, but with calm energy, thoughtful communication, and an intuitive understanding of what my couples need before they even ask. I’m fully present, always anticipating moments, keeping things moving smoothly, and making sure my couples feel seen, celebrated, and taken care of every step of the way.
What truly sets me apart is the emotional intelligence and care I bring to every wedding. I notice the subtle moments — the way a dad looks at his daughter before walking her down the aisle, or how a nervous groom clenches his fists before the first look. I capture those things because I feel them — and because I know how important it is to have someone behind the lens who truly gets it.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that with me, photography is more than a service — it’s an experience. One rooted in kindness, trust, and the genuine joy of getting to tell your story the way it deserves to be told.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I actually started building my social media presence back in high school, totally by accident. I was in a photography class where one of our assignments was to create a business account for our work. At the time, I didn’t think much of it — it was just a class project. But by the time I got to college, I had this moment of, “Why not start charging for this?” I realized I could do what I loved and make a little money to cover groceries and everyday expenses. Once I opened myself up to that mindset, things started to grow.
It began with grads and senior sessions, then evolved into couples and engagements. I went to college in Arizona but was still Idaho-based for most of my clientele, so I’d travel home on school breaks to shoot. That constant back-and-forth helped me stay active and visible online. A lot of my growth early on came from word of mouth and simply posting consistently.
Now, even though I don’t always get tons of likes, I’m getting more inquiries than ever — especially for weddings. That shift taught me something really important: the algorithm doesn’t define your value. You can still book out your calendar without going viral. It’s about showing up, being consistent, and creating content that feels real.
One thing that’s helped me grow recently is sharing more behind-the-scenes content — like me fluffing the dress, fixing a boutonnière, directing a first look, or just laughing with the wedding party. Those little moments help people see what it’s like to work with me, and they build trust way faster than just posting the final edited photo. People want to know who you are, not just what you create.
So for anyone starting out: create the Instagram. Start the TikTok. Post your work, your process, your personality. Don’t wait until it’s perfect — just start sharing. The algorithm is tough (I’m still figuring it out too!), but with time, consistency, and real heart behind your posts, growth will happen.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
Right now, I sell through Etsy, and I’m still very much in the beginning stages of that journey. I chose Etsy because it’s super beginner-friendly — setting up a shop is affordable, quick, and doesn’t require much technical know-how. It felt like the perfect place to dip my toes into the world of digital products.
I’ve been working on selling guides — things like client experience resources and pricing templates designed to help other photographers elevate their brand and provide a smoother, more thoughtful experience for their own clients. These are guides I originally created for myself and my own workflow, so it felt natural to try sharing them with others.
I’ll be honest — it’s been a learning curve. I’ve gotten views, but not many purchases yet. I know a lot of creators are making Canva templates and digital products that do really well, so it’s motivating to keep going. For me, this is a long-term project, something I’m building slowly. I see it as a future investment — the kind of thing that, once it gains traction, could turn into a great source of passive income. Even an extra $500 a month can go a long way toward covering business expenses or just giving you a bit more breathing room.
The pros of Etsy are definitely the accessibility and the potential — if you find your niche and market it well, it can be a great source of extra income. The cons, in my experience so far, are that it can take time to be seen. There’s a lot of competition, and figuring out the right SEO, marketing, and visuals to stand out can feel overwhelming at first. But I’m committed to learning as I go and continuing to refine what I offer.
Eventually, I’d love to expand and possibly add digital downloads like presets too. For now, I’m just enjoying the process and staying open to where it could lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenhoneyphotography.com
- Instagram: goldenhoneyphotography
- Other: tiktok: goldenhoneyphotography
pinterest: goldenhoneyphotography
Image Credits
NA: I am the photographer: Lizzie Burton