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

Mista, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have always loved and enjoyed taking pictures! When I was in middle school my sister and I got our first digital cameras for Christmas. We would get all ready, do our hair and makeup and take photos of each other all the time! It wasn’t until high school when I got a little bit of a nicer camera. I remember going to best buy and trying to explain to the sales person what I wanted my camera to do (I was trying to figure out how to get the blurry backgrounds LOL) . They of course told me I needed a DSLR camera, however as a highschool student I did not have the money to buy one. My cousin does photography as well and she noticed my creative eye with the photos I was posting and asked me if I would assist her at some weddings she had booked that year! I of course jumped on it! She had a couple cameras so kindly let me borrow hers so I had a camera. I loved second shooting for her. I took a photoshop class in highschool and went to Tech Center for media communications where I learned a lot more on how to work and use the camera! As a graduation gift my dad purchased me my very own DSLR camera. I was so EXCITED. Once that camera was in my hands I never stopped taking photos. I would take photos of my friends, family, dog, nature…you name it! People started asking me about taking photos for them so I started getting paid jobs to do family and senior photos. During this time I was working 2 jobs, and going to College to try and figure out what I wanted to do in the future. I have ALWAYS wanted to go into photography. Teachers would always say to think of what you love to do and see what career you can do with that. So naturally I know I loved design and taking photos so wanted to become a photographer! But the feedback I would get with that was not what I liked to hear. I felt as if nobody believed I could do it and that it was just something I could do as a 2nd job or as a hobby. I also really enjoy interior design and architecture. So when I would tell people that their eyes would instantly light up going “Oooo an architect would be a phenomenal job”. Taking these courses in college made me realize quickly that I did not enjoy it like I thought I would. Fast forward to 4 year of college and still not knowing what I wanted to do I decided to create an instagram for my photography page. The first person I followed on that account was @hzphotos. I have always loved her work and was always inspired by her photos. After I hit follow she instantly messaged me and followed me back. I FREAKED and was slightly “fan-girling” She messaged me to ask what my prices were and to see if I would be interested in photographing her friends wedding. But at that time I have only second shot for my cousin and have not shot a wedding solo. I explained that to her and she knew I would not be the best fit for her friend, but asked if we could meet up for coffee sometime because she would like to get to know me and possibly have me second shoot for her! I was jumping out of office chair in excitement telling my co worker next to me what just happend. I didn’t know it at the time, but that coffee date with Hannah was the start of a new beginning for me. She told me her story, what it was like being a full time photographer, showed me things on my camera I didn’t know, complimented my work and gave me so much more confidence in my photography. I started to second shoot for her and she would teach me so much while second shooting and even just watching her do her thing taught me sooo much of what I know now. Hannah was my hype girl. She showed me all the ways of becoming a full time photographer and owning my own business. I started an LLC and made “Mista Marie Photography” official. I made a website, started charging more, and taking on more photoshoots. In 2018, I started to take on my own weddings which lead to more and more bookings. I continued to learn and second shoot with Hannah. We even did a photography workshop together. In 2019, I was confident enough to quit my full time 9-5 job, dropped out of college because I felt like I was learning everything I needed to know from Hannah and went FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER. The dream job I have always wanted. I was making more than what I did working my 9-5 because I was able to put the full focus on my business and was able to take on more weddings and photoshoots. Now I am photographing around 35-40 weddings, 50+ seniors and 100+ families a year. Looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. I am glad I got to experience college and learn what was and wasn’t a good fit for me. I am happy I worked as hard as I did with 2 jobs because it helped me pay for my college in full and save up enough money to start my business and purchase the necessary equipment. And most of all I am so grateful that it led me to Hannah!! I would not be where I am today with out her.

Mista, 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?

My name is Mista! I am a wedding, senior and lifestyle photographer based in Holland, Michigan. I was born and raised here in West Michigan. The lake is what keeps me here. I love taking photos at the beach, and love that we get to experience 4 beautiful different seasons here. Don’t ask me which one is my favorite because I cannot decide! I love taking photos in all of them (minus winter). Just give me a couple pretty snowfalls to take photos in then I’m good haha. I am married to my middle school sweetheart Alex. We have been together since we were 13 years old and started dating in the 7th grade. We bought our first home together in 2021 and have 3 dogs. (Willow, Kota and Livy). Like I said before I love all things design so having our first home to renovate has been so much fun! Being in Michigan my business is pretty seasonal. I keep very busy in the spring, summer and fall then have the winter to relax, catch up on the back end work of my business and travel!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to capture the moment is so rewarding! Whether it is on a wedding day, during senior portraits or family photos. These photos are often displayed throughout homes, given as special gifts, and are captured to help remember a moment in time. Moments like being able to capture a mom tearing up as she helps put on her daughters wedding dress; a couple walking down the isle after their first kiss and seeing all the joy and excitement in their face; a senior getting all dressed up to capture this important milestone in their life; or a family all laughing and having fun together while we take their yearly photos.

There is one photo in particular that I took of a couple on their wedding day…. it was during the reception, it rained for a little while and after the rain came a rainbow. I quickly pulled the couple aside so we could capture them with the rainbow on their wedding day. At the time it was a cool photo to capture but fast forward a couple years this couple struggles with infertility and had a miscarriage. And babies who have been loss are often referred to as “rainbow babies”. This photo now had a whole new and special meaning to them and ME!. It brought tears to my eyes when I first saw her post with that photo. It just made me so thankful I was able to capture this moment for them without even knowing how much this photo would mean to them someday. Moments like this just make me think of my photography in a whole new perspective and it can be so rewarding to hear how a photo of mine means so much to someone.

Also, having clients come back year after year is extremely rewarding!! I have been able to meet and get to know so many amazing individuals throughout my years of photography. When I see a repeat clients name pop up in my inbox I get so excited. I am so thankful for these clients. Hearing their kind words means more than anyone will ever know and being able to have their business means the world to me. I love being able to help tell people’s stories through my lens and when I can do it for years to come it is just so special!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Recently I decided to make the decision to take on less weddings. This was so hard for me to do because I get so much joy from photographing weddings. I love being able to be with couples on their wedding days, capture all the special moments, and just be apart of days filled full of love every weekend. But with photographing weddings it takes up a lot of my own time and I want to be better about balancing my work and personal life. I hate missing out on so many events and times with friends and family. My husband and many of my family members and friends work M-F. By taking on less weddings my hope is that I will have more time to spend with them. Michigan has the best summers and I hate that I don’t get to enjoy them to the fullest with those closest to me.

With me working every weekend it also makes it very hard for me to fit in some of my other clients on weekends when their whole family might be together. So by doing this I am able to open up some availability to those clients as well!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mistamariephotography.com
• Instagram: mistamariephotography
• Facebook: Mista Marie Photography

Image Credits
Photo of me taking a picture of the dress, and photo of hannah and are are HZ Photography. All the rest were taken my me (Mista Marie Photography)